Product Description

The two towering achievements of modern physics are quantum theory and Einstein's general theory of relativity. Together, they explain virtually everything about the world we live in. But, almost a century after their advent, most people haven't the slightest clue what either is about. Did you know that there's so much empty space inside matter that the entire human race could be squeezed into the volume of a sugar cube? Or that you grow old more quickly on the top floor of a building than on the ground floor? And did you realise that 1 percent of the static on a TV tuned between stations is a relic of the Big Bang?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10071 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
"'This is what good popular science writing is all about.' Nature"

New Scientist, December 1, 2007
Science doesn't come harder than this but Chown makes it all look so easy.

The Times, November 17, 2007
Lay readers, delighted by Chown's vivid imagery and lively humour, will experience several happy Eureka moments.

Customer Reviews

The complicated, uncomplicated
Firstly the title mentions quantum theory. However, this is also a book that towards the end inevitably brings the reader into relativity. This is a most logical conclusion as the last part of the puzzle in quantum theory is a quantum theory of gravity!

Now please listen....

I've read my fair share of books on quantum theory and relativity. As a physics student these two enormously important theories can be very hard to grasp but are essential to understand if one wishes to pursue a career in physics. But, if the reader is not interested in a scientific career and is simply interested in these subjects, then there is not a better book anywhere that will help the reader understand the concepts of these two great achievements of science.

An utterly awesome book for anyone who wants to learn and understand the concepts.

Pointless
I was very dissapointed with this book but it serves me right as I bought it based on the hype. I cringed with just about every hack joke or wittism he tried. If you think you'll learn something even mildly serious about QM or are seeking painless enlightenment, this book is pointless even within its genre - read Feynmans QED and Six not so Easy Peaces (which are, really, once explained by Feynman.)These two simple books (with just a bit more of well worthwhile effort) you'll find will round rings around Chown. If you want enlightenment on Cosmology go for Asimov. If you know something about QM already you'll spot and cringe at the often mixed-up attemps to explain many things. The cartoon style cover does this book good justice though.

Beginers guide
I loved this book! As a non-scientist I still found this book easy to follow and could not put it down and got through the book in a day. Each part to the book starts of with a thought provoking scenario which filled me with exictment to ensure I read every word in the following chapters.

A must read for anyone who has heard of quantum theory.