'Just as with the history of all other human endeavors, science has its list of “greatest hits,” dramatic stories that will be told and retold, generation after generation, ad infinitum. Of these, the birth of quantum theory seems destined to be foremost: Other narratives may rival in their sweeping scopes, scenic settings, and cast of characters, but no other area of science has raised deeper questions about the very nature of reality. In Quantum, Manjit Kumar breathes new life into this classic story through superb writing and careful research, focusing on a philosophical conflict between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein that still resonates through physics to this day.'
The American edition of Quantum reviewed in Seed magazine.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
Quantum reviewed in Publishers Weekly
In advance of the publication by Norton of the American edition of Manjit Kumar's book, Publisher's Weekly have this great review on their site.
'With vigor and elegance, Kumar describes the “clash of titans” that took place in the world of physics in the early 20th century ... Kumar, founding editor of Prometheus and a consulting science editor for Wired UK, recounts this meaty, dense, exciting story, filled with vivid characters and sharp insights. With physics undergoing another revolution today, Kumar reminds us of a time when science turned the universe upside down.'
'With vigor and elegance, Kumar describes the “clash of titans” that took place in the world of physics in the early 20th century ... Kumar, founding editor of Prometheus and a consulting science editor for Wired UK, recounts this meaty, dense, exciting story, filled with vivid characters and sharp insights. With physics undergoing another revolution today, Kumar reminds us of a time when science turned the universe upside down.'
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Jacob Weisberg on Quantum
Jacob Weisberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Slate Group, a columnist for Newsweek and Slate and the author of The Bush Tragedy has these very complimentary things to say about Manjit Kumar's book:
Friday, 29 January 2010
Quantum reviewed on Goodreads.com
A reader called Raghu had some very complimentary things to say about Quantum on book lover's site Goodreads.com recently:
'Manjit Kumar's book is a fascinating history of one of the most fundamental areas of science. Just as the title says, it is a history of the great debate about the nature of reality with Einstein and Niels Bohr leading the opposing views. Quantum Mechanics has always been a fascinating subject for me, mainly because I could never hope to understand it enough, however much time I spent on it. This brilliant work takes you through the history of the ideas behind quantum mechanics from the late 19th century all the way till the latter half of 20th century. ...The book is lucid and delightfully accessible in spite of the difficult subject matter. I enjoyed reading it immensely. In many ways, it is like a thriller... I would recommend it strongly to anyone interested in popular science in general and Quantum Mechanics in particular.'
The full piece is here.
The full piece is here.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Quantum - one of Colin Tudge's best books of the Noughties
Zoologist and science writer Colin Tudge puts Quantum at the top of his list of the best books of the last decade, in a piece for the Blackwell's website:
'I have hugely admired Manjit Kumar's Quantum, truly getting to grips with the debates of Einstein and Bohr and their predecessors and disciples - showing with brilliant clarity that modern physics is even more intricate than most of us suppose it to be, and leads us, as great science invariably does, to uncertainty - which we just have to live with.'
See the full piece here.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Quantum customer review on waterstones.com
Waterstones customer 'Gerry' has this to say about Manjit's book:
'A must for budding physicists'
'I wish this book had been available when I was studying Physics. It provides a magnificent overview of the birth and development of the quantum age, as well as an insight into the personalities of the key contributors. It is well researched and just as importantly is a good read, impossible to put down, races along like a mystery novel, and inludes some poignant black and white photos of the most famous names in 20th century Physics. Should be on the compulsory reading list for Physics students in every university.'
The reviewing features on Waterstones page for the book here.
'A must for budding physicists'
'I wish this book had been available when I was studying Physics. It provides a magnificent overview of the birth and development of the quantum age, as well as an insight into the personalities of the key contributors. It is well researched and just as importantly is a good read, impossible to put down, races along like a mystery novel, and inludes some poignant black and white photos of the most famous names in 20th century Physics. Should be on the compulsory reading list for Physics students in every university.'
The reviewing features on Waterstones page for the book here.
More blog praise for Quantum
Blogger PJP has some good things to say about Quantum on their site:
'Quantum is an excellent read. Being a fiction lover, I rarely come across some non-fiction that is so nicely written & interesting cover-to-cover.'
Read the whole entry here.
'Quantum is an excellent read. Being a fiction lover, I rarely come across some non-fiction that is so nicely written & interesting cover-to-cover.'
Read the whole entry here.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Quantum ebook now available at Waterstones
Buy Manjit Kumar's Quantum for your ereader at Waterstones now - only £7.99 here!
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Quantum reviewed by Words of a Wandering Mind
This blogger in India has some very nice things to say about Manjit Kumar's book:
'The book went as far as permanently changing my outlook in many fundamental aspects. Brilliant, entertaining, informative, insightful and thought-provoking are only a few words that come to my mind. Sit back and enjoy. It will be on the list of ten best things you did this year.'
The full piece is here.
'The book went as far as permanently changing my outlook in many fundamental aspects. Brilliant, entertaining, informative, insightful and thought-provoking are only a few words that come to my mind. Sit back and enjoy. It will be on the list of ten best things you did this year.'
The full piece is here.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Quantum - best of the year in the Scotsman
Andrew Crumey picks Quantum as one of his best books of the year in the Scotsman:
'Two popular science books particularly impressed me this year. Manjit Kumar's Quantum (Icon, £9.99) ably recounts the early history of a theory that continues to intrigue and baffle people a century later, while In Search of the Multiverse (Allen Lane, £20) by John Gribbin explains why some physicists believe the parallel worlds of science fiction could really exist.'
The full piece is here.
'Two popular science books particularly impressed me this year. Manjit Kumar's Quantum (Icon, £9.99) ably recounts the early history of a theory that continues to intrigue and baffle people a century later, while In Search of the Multiverse (Allen Lane, £20) by John Gribbin explains why some physicists believe the parallel worlds of science fiction could really exist.'
The full piece is here.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Quantum - now available as an ebook!
After a long wait, Manjit Kumar's bestselling Quantum is finally available as an ebook in the UK.
Buy the version for your Sony Reader at WHSmith here for £5.59.
And you can buy the version for Amazon's Kindle reader here for $11.60 (despite the dollar price this edition is only available to UK residents)
Buy the version for your Sony Reader at WHSmith here for £5.59.
And you can buy the version for Amazon's Kindle reader here for $11.60 (despite the dollar price this edition is only available to UK residents)
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Quantum review by Institute of Physics press officer
J.O. Winters, press officer at the Institute of Physics has posted this great review of Quantum on Amazon:
'The history of quantum physics is the story of a group of physicists with minds capable of grasping horribly counter-intuitive truths about how the very smallest components of matter behave. The problem with trying to convey the wonder of what was achieved to the uninitiated (most of us!) through a popular science book is that you have to take them on a journey through those discoveries; requiring the reader to make the same leaps of faith that even Einstein wouldn't make. The sort of leaps of faith that have previously, think Earth going 'round the Sun or flat Earth, taken centuries to become common parlance.'
'Kumar offers a masterclass in how to help readers through, possibly, the most difficult field of physics out there. He entertains with a wonderfully illuminating narrative, telling the life stories of not only Bohr and Einstein, but also Planck, Rutherford, Schrodinger and many more. The most remarkable thing about this book however is that you don't, as with so many popular science books, skim the meat of the science, hanging onto the thread of the book through the more easily-accessed narrative. You relish and look forward to grasping the science. I dare say I've read physics books that tackle innately easier physics topics less well than Kumar takes on quantum physics.'
'To understand a fraction of quantum physics will increase ego by degrees of magnitude. To understand as much as Kumar offers (and to enjoy it, which you will) might give you a couple of sleepless nights (thinking about how your wave-particle coffee table is actually solid enough to hold your laptop) but you will end up feeling an intellectual colossus vis a vis anyone who hasn't read it and isn't actually a quantum physicist.'
'The history of quantum physics is the story of a group of physicists with minds capable of grasping horribly counter-intuitive truths about how the very smallest components of matter behave. The problem with trying to convey the wonder of what was achieved to the uninitiated (most of us!) through a popular science book is that you have to take them on a journey through those discoveries; requiring the reader to make the same leaps of faith that even Einstein wouldn't make. The sort of leaps of faith that have previously, think Earth going 'round the Sun or flat Earth, taken centuries to become common parlance.'
'Kumar offers a masterclass in how to help readers through, possibly, the most difficult field of physics out there. He entertains with a wonderfully illuminating narrative, telling the life stories of not only Bohr and Einstein, but also Planck, Rutherford, Schrodinger and many more. The most remarkable thing about this book however is that you don't, as with so many popular science books, skim the meat of the science, hanging onto the thread of the book through the more easily-accessed narrative. You relish and look forward to grasping the science. I dare say I've read physics books that tackle innately easier physics topics less well than Kumar takes on quantum physics.'
'To understand a fraction of quantum physics will increase ego by degrees of magnitude. To understand as much as Kumar offers (and to enjoy it, which you will) might give you a couple of sleepless nights (thinking about how your wave-particle coffee table is actually solid enough to hold your laptop) but you will end up feeling an intellectual colossus vis a vis anyone who hasn't read it and isn't actually a quantum physicist.'
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Quantum - Hindustan Times review
A great review of Quantum in Indian newspaper The Hindustan Times:
'That science is a many-splendoured sexy thing is the radiating message that comes out of this fabulous book. Manjit Kumar writes a pulsating narrative about the history of modern science’s most fundamental revolution in Quantum (Hachette, Rs 495). The great debate about the nature of reality — between Albert Einstein and Neils Bohr where they and their ‘two schools of thought’ face each other off reads like Corleone-Tattaglia feud from the Godfather minus the machine guns, plus the atom-smashers.'
'Even in the prologue of this historical journey of science, Kumar knows how to hook the reader. “Paul Ehrenfest was in tears. He had made his decision. Soon he would attend the wee-long gathering where many of those responsible for the quantum revolution would try and understand the meaning of what they had wrought. There he would have to tell his old friend Albert Einstein that he had chosen to side with Niels Bohr.... In a note to Einstein as they sat around the conference table, Ehrenfest scribbled: ‘Don’t laugh! There’s a special section in purgatory for professors of quantum theory, where they will be obliged to listen to lectures on classical physics ten hours every day."'
'Kumar brings lucidity and a sense of drama to what is usually considered by lay readers as an esoteric, bubble-chambered subject. He does this without sacrificing the ‘science of it’ at the altar of readability. The triumphs and the tribulations, the politics and the physics, the humanity and the genius of the protagonists all collide to produce the sort of energy that we usually expect in a Le Carre thriller.'
See the full piece here.
'That science is a many-splendoured sexy thing is the radiating message that comes out of this fabulous book. Manjit Kumar writes a pulsating narrative about the history of modern science’s most fundamental revolution in Quantum (Hachette, Rs 495). The great debate about the nature of reality — between Albert Einstein and Neils Bohr where they and their ‘two schools of thought’ face each other off reads like Corleone-Tattaglia feud from the Godfather minus the machine guns, plus the atom-smashers.'
'Even in the prologue of this historical journey of science, Kumar knows how to hook the reader. “Paul Ehrenfest was in tears. He had made his decision. Soon he would attend the wee-long gathering where many of those responsible for the quantum revolution would try and understand the meaning of what they had wrought. There he would have to tell his old friend Albert Einstein that he had chosen to side with Niels Bohr.... In a note to Einstein as they sat around the conference table, Ehrenfest scribbled: ‘Don’t laugh! There’s a special section in purgatory for professors of quantum theory, where they will be obliged to listen to lectures on classical physics ten hours every day."'
'Kumar brings lucidity and a sense of drama to what is usually considered by lay readers as an esoteric, bubble-chambered subject. He does this without sacrificing the ‘science of it’ at the altar of readability. The triumphs and the tribulations, the politics and the physics, the humanity and the genius of the protagonists all collide to produce the sort of energy that we usually expect in a Le Carre thriller.'
See the full piece here.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Quantum - bestselling In India
We've just seen this bestseller chart in The Hindu, an Indian newspaper, which shows Manjit Kumar's book in sixth place:
1) The Idea Of Justice by Amartya Sen – Penguin Allen Lane Rs. 699
2) Jinnah- India – Partition Independence by Jaswant Singh – Rupa Rs. 695
3) Sociobiology – The New Synthesis by Edward O. Wilson Rs. 2376
4) Authentic Happiness – Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman , Ph.d – Nicholas Brealey Rs. 295
5) Think India – The Rise of The World’s Next Superpower by Vinay Rai & William L. Simon – Plume Rs. 399
6) Quantum – Einstein, Bohr And the Great Debate About the Nature Of Reality by Manjit Kumar – Hachette Rs. 495
7) Stop the Excuses! – How To change Lifelong Thoughts by Dr Wayne W. Dyer – Hay House Rs. 295
8) Cricket Biryani – The History of Hyderabad Cricket by P.R.Man Singh Rs. 1500
9) Romance of The Golconda Diamonds by Omar Khalidi Rs. 1400
10) A Better India A Better World by N R Narayana Murthy – Penguin Allen Lane Rs. 499
1) The Idea Of Justice by Amartya Sen – Penguin Allen Lane Rs. 699
2) Jinnah- India – Partition Independence by Jaswant Singh – Rupa Rs. 695
3) Sociobiology – The New Synthesis by Edward O. Wilson Rs. 2376
4) Authentic Happiness – Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman , Ph.d – Nicholas Brealey Rs. 295
5) Think India – The Rise of The World’s Next Superpower by Vinay Rai & William L. Simon – Plume Rs. 399
6) Quantum – Einstein, Bohr And the Great Debate About the Nature Of Reality by Manjit Kumar – Hachette Rs. 495
7) Stop the Excuses! – How To change Lifelong Thoughts by Dr Wayne W. Dyer – Hay House Rs. 295
8) Cricket Biryani – The History of Hyderabad Cricket by P.R.Man Singh Rs. 1500
9) Romance of The Golconda Diamonds by Omar Khalidi Rs. 1400
10) A Better India A Better World by N R Narayana Murthy – Penguin Allen Lane Rs. 499
Monday, 21 September 2009
Quantum: well reviewed in India
'As an introduction to a fiendishly difficult branch of science it is hard to improve upon Quantum. This is one of the finest accounts of the 20th century’s greatest intellectual adventure' Express Buzz, India.
See the full review here.
See the full review here.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Quantum - now big in India, too!
Hachette have just recently published the Indian edition of Quantum and its first review is just in:
'If theoretical and often boring physics can be delivered in an exciting novel style, Manjit Kumar has done it. His Quantum Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality is an engrossing account of the high caliber intellectual and academic debates, sometimes acrimonious, on the then evolving concept of Quantum, in the 20th century.' The Organiser
Read the full review here.
'If theoretical and often boring physics can be delivered in an exciting novel style, Manjit Kumar has done it. His Quantum Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality is an engrossing account of the high caliber intellectual and academic debates, sometimes acrimonious, on the then evolving concept of Quantum, in the 20th century.' The Organiser
Read the full review here.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Quantum reviewed by R.D.Brislin
Reader R.D. Brislin had these nice things to say about Quantum on Amazon.co.uk:
'I have always been fascinated by how 'it' all fits together, but struggle to find the time to concentrate on dry theoretical texts. It was therefore with great delight that I found myself engrossed in Quantum on the tube, the bus and even occasionally the walk in between. Manjit Kumar's writing eases you effortlessly into the some of the most complex ideas in physics by juxtaposing the personal stories of the authors playing out through the 20th century with the theories themselves. Sufficient detail is provided to challenge all but the most experienced reader, and a comprehensive references list encourages further exploration for those who need to dig even deeper. While having to admit to only momentary glimpses of both the elusive beauty, and the black hole enveloped by quantum theory, I felt strangely comforted that even Einstein struggled to fully embrace such a world.'
Read more reviews on Amazon at the book's page here.
'I have always been fascinated by how 'it' all fits together, but struggle to find the time to concentrate on dry theoretical texts. It was therefore with great delight that I found myself engrossed in Quantum on the tube, the bus and even occasionally the walk in between. Manjit Kumar's writing eases you effortlessly into the some of the most complex ideas in physics by juxtaposing the personal stories of the authors playing out through the 20th century with the theories themselves. Sufficient detail is provided to challenge all but the most experienced reader, and a comprehensive references list encourages further exploration for those who need to dig even deeper. While having to admit to only momentary glimpses of both the elusive beauty, and the black hole enveloped by quantum theory, I felt strangely comforted that even Einstein struggled to fully embrace such a world.'
Read more reviews on Amazon at the book's page here.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Still searching for God's dice
A great review piece here on Quantum by Vikram Johri on his blog:
'Kumar’s real achievement is not in throwing light on quantum mechanics per se, which descriptions are often mired in thick scientific jargon, but on a time when the thrill of discovery was so palpable it could slice through butter like a hot knife.'
Read the full piece here.
'Kumar’s real achievement is not in throwing light on quantum mechanics per se, which descriptions are often mired in thick scientific jargon, but on a time when the thrill of discovery was so palpable it could slice through butter like a hot knife.'
Read the full piece here.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Quantum mention on Mumsnet.com
Nice to see that it's far from just geeky men who are reading Quantum - a reader at this post on Mumsnet.com says:
Right. I have finished Quantum by Manjit Kumar and have come to the conclusion
that quantum physicists are nutters!
How else can you explain beleiving that something only happens if you observe it? I used to think that when I hid my eyes when playing hide and seek as a very small child. And the cat thing is a bit daft, not to mention cruel .
I really enjoyed the book though. But wish I understand a bit more
Right. I have finished Quantum by Manjit Kumar and have come to the conclusion
that quantum physicists are nutters!
How else can you explain beleiving that something only happens if you observe it? I used to think that when I hid my eyes when playing hide and seek as a very small child. And the cat thing is a bit daft, not to mention cruel .
I really enjoyed the book though. But wish I understand a bit more
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Quantum - reviewed in The Sunday Times
Robert Collins, writing in The Sunday Times at the weekend, had this to say about Quantum:
'Kumar seamlessly interweaves history and biography with clear explanations of the insights that Einstein and others made into the behaviour of matter at the subatomic level. The result makes you feel that you’ve grasped not only some of the revolutionary concepts of 20th-century science but sensed the thrill these physicists must have experienced as they made their world-changing breakthroughs.'
'Kumar seamlessly interweaves history and biography with clear explanations of the insights that Einstein and others made into the behaviour of matter at the subatomic level. The result makes you feel that you’ve grasped not only some of the revolutionary concepts of 20th-century science but sensed the thrill these physicists must have experienced as they made their world-changing breakthroughs.'
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Quantum - the latest reprint
Our latest reprint of Quantum has arrived today. We've altered the cover slightly to mention some of the more recent press quotes, and of course the Samuel Johnson Prize shortlisting.
Quantum on the BBC Culture Show
Quantum missed out on winning the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2009 last night but the brilliant short film about the book, featuring Manjit Kumar, almost makes up for it - see it at the BBC here.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Quantum extract in the Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph have an extract of Manjit Kumar's Quantum online today - read it here.
Quantum - Paperback of the Week in the Observer
'A feat of true scholarship interspersed, thankfully, with moments of more accessible entertainment. The result is a book of such ambition that it has been shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction.'
Read the full review here.
Read the full review here.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Quantum - brilliant review on Amazon
Amazon.co.uk customer Louis Ryan has just posted the fabulous review of Quantum below. Read it in situ here.
A brilliant account of a fundamental subject
The development of quantum physics through the 20th century is one of the great adventures of science, and here at last is a book aimed at the layperson which clearly explains its key concepts, while situating the scientific development in its broader setting. The result is a challenging and enthralling read.
Quantum is appropriately sub-titled, Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality. The long theoretical duel between these two giants of modern physics is a recurring theme of the book, but the story starts before them with the build-up to the discovery of Planck's constant at the turn of the century, and continues beyond their deaths (in 1955 and 1962 respectively) to take in Bell's Theorem and Everett's "many worlds" interpretation. Along the way we meet other great physicists such as Rutherford, Heisenberg, Pauli, Schrödinger, Dirac and Bohm.
One might suspect that a book of such scope would be in danger of being overcrowded with theories and theorists, yet Kumar rises to the challenge, displaying a novelist's sense of pacing allied with an impressive scientific clarity and succinctness. Clearly he has taken to heart the famous injunction attributed to Einstein to "make it as simple as possible, but no simpler!" He also strikes a judicious balance between scientific explanation and human context. This provided for me a welcome alternation between the physics and the lives of the physicists, with each stimulating an interest in the other.
What is so powerful and inspiring about this book is the way it conveys the passion for truth of those great pioneers. No doubt ego played its part as well, they would hardly have been human otherwise, but it is always secondary to the great quest to fathom the nature of sub-atomic reality. Characteristic of this passion is the anecdote of Bohr and Einstein on their first meeting in Copenhagen, straightaway so engrossed in debate that they repeatedly miss their bus-stop. Kumar evidently resonates to this passion, and conveys it vividly in his narrative. Here is an extract from his account of Bohr's first meeting with Schrödinger, one of Einstein's key allies in the great debate:
"After the exchange of pleasantries, battle began almost at once, and according to Heisenberg, `continued daily from early morning until late at night'... During one discussion Schrödinger called `the whole idea of quantum jumps a sheer fantasy'. `But it does not prove there are no quantum jumps,' Bohr countered. All it proved, he continued, was that `we cannot imagine them'. Emotions soon ran high... Schrödinger finally snapped. `If all this damned quantum jumping were really here to stay, I should be sorry I ever got involved with quantum theory.' `But the rest of us are extremely grateful that you did,' Bohr replied, `your wave mechanics has contributed so much to mathematical clarity and simplicity that it represents a gigantic advance over all previous forms of quantum mechanics.'
"After a few days of these relentless discussions, Schrödinger fell ill and took to his bed. Even as his wife did all she could to nurse their house-guest, Bohr sat on the edge of the bed and continued the argument. `But surely Schrödinger, you must see...' He did see, but only through the glasses he had long worn, and he was not about to change them for ones prescribed by Bohr."
This book is a brilliant and compelling account of the genesis of quantum physics, but it is more than that. In the midst of today's pervasive cynicism and disorientation, it is an inspiring reminder of what the human spirit is capable of when it devotes itself passionately to the highest aim, that of understanding the truth of our reality.
A brilliant account of a fundamental subject
The development of quantum physics through the 20th century is one of the great adventures of science, and here at last is a book aimed at the layperson which clearly explains its key concepts, while situating the scientific development in its broader setting. The result is a challenging and enthralling read.
Quantum is appropriately sub-titled, Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality. The long theoretical duel between these two giants of modern physics is a recurring theme of the book, but the story starts before them with the build-up to the discovery of Planck's constant at the turn of the century, and continues beyond their deaths (in 1955 and 1962 respectively) to take in Bell's Theorem and Everett's "many worlds" interpretation. Along the way we meet other great physicists such as Rutherford, Heisenberg, Pauli, Schrödinger, Dirac and Bohm.
One might suspect that a book of such scope would be in danger of being overcrowded with theories and theorists, yet Kumar rises to the challenge, displaying a novelist's sense of pacing allied with an impressive scientific clarity and succinctness. Clearly he has taken to heart the famous injunction attributed to Einstein to "make it as simple as possible, but no simpler!" He also strikes a judicious balance between scientific explanation and human context. This provided for me a welcome alternation between the physics and the lives of the physicists, with each stimulating an interest in the other.
What is so powerful and inspiring about this book is the way it conveys the passion for truth of those great pioneers. No doubt ego played its part as well, they would hardly have been human otherwise, but it is always secondary to the great quest to fathom the nature of sub-atomic reality. Characteristic of this passion is the anecdote of Bohr and Einstein on their first meeting in Copenhagen, straightaway so engrossed in debate that they repeatedly miss their bus-stop. Kumar evidently resonates to this passion, and conveys it vividly in his narrative. Here is an extract from his account of Bohr's first meeting with Schrödinger, one of Einstein's key allies in the great debate:
"After the exchange of pleasantries, battle began almost at once, and according to Heisenberg, `continued daily from early morning until late at night'... During one discussion Schrödinger called `the whole idea of quantum jumps a sheer fantasy'. `But it does not prove there are no quantum jumps,' Bohr countered. All it proved, he continued, was that `we cannot imagine them'. Emotions soon ran high... Schrödinger finally snapped. `If all this damned quantum jumping were really here to stay, I should be sorry I ever got involved with quantum theory.' `But the rest of us are extremely grateful that you did,' Bohr replied, `your wave mechanics has contributed so much to mathematical clarity and simplicity that it represents a gigantic advance over all previous forms of quantum mechanics.'
"After a few days of these relentless discussions, Schrödinger fell ill and took to his bed. Even as his wife did all she could to nurse their house-guest, Bohr sat on the edge of the bed and continued the argument. `But surely Schrödinger, you must see...' He did see, but only through the glasses he had long worn, and he was not about to change them for ones prescribed by Bohr."
This book is a brilliant and compelling account of the genesis of quantum physics, but it is more than that. In the midst of today's pervasive cynicism and disorientation, it is an inspiring reminder of what the human spirit is capable of when it devotes itself passionately to the highest aim, that of understanding the truth of our reality.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Quantum longlisted for Royal Society Prize for Science Books 2009
Manjit Kumar has made it two prize nominations in as many weeks today with the announcement of the longlist for this year's Royal Society Prize for Science Books, on which Quantum is included.
The Royal Society's press release is here. Congratulations once again to Manjit!
The Royal Society's press release is here. Congratulations once again to Manjit!
Friday, 22 May 2009
Quantum - BBC Samuel Johnson Prize shortlisting media coverage
News of Quantum's shortlisting for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2009 has mentioned been in various places today.
The Guardian covered the announcement here, and trade organ the Bookseller published this story. Bookbrunch, a book trade website, had this.
Icon's press release about the book is available to readhere.
We await the 30th June with all fingers tightly crossed!
The Guardian covered the announcement here, and trade organ the Bookseller published this story. Bookbrunch, a book trade website, had this.
Icon's press release about the book is available to readhere.
We await the 30th June with all fingers tightly crossed!
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Quantum shortlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize
Quantum has been shortlisted for this year's BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction!
Read the Evening Standard's piece here.
The winner is announced on 30th June.
Read the Evening Standard's piece here.
The winner is announced on 30th June.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Quantum longlisted for the BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Quantum paperback reviewed in Nature
In this popular history of quantum mechanics, Manjit Kumar focuses "on the long-running debate between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein, which took place from the mid-1920s through to the mid-1950s, over the adequacy of the quantum theory as a framework for fundamental physics", explained reviewer Don Howard (Nature 456, 706–707; 2008).
See the full article here.
See the full article here.
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