The Quantum Moment

Interesting

The authors, one a philosopher the other a physicist draw on their training and six years of co-teaching to dramatize the quantum’s rocky path from scientific theory to public understanding. The book explores the quantum’s manifestation in everything from art and sculpture to the prose of John Updike. Understanding and appreciation the quantum language and imagery, and recognizing its misuse, is part of what is means to be an educated person today according to the authors.

The authors recount a series of historical moments that occurred during the development of quantum mechanics in order to demonstrate how quickly scientific language worked its way into the artistic world. The author’s vivid storytelling of Einstein’s theories of relativity to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle to modern conception of causality. Crease and Goldhaber keep the discussion of these complex topics clear and fun to read. Pop culture took to the quantum cause with far more gusto than most physicists. Experimentalist Robert Milliken tried to kill the idea, but his lab results kept confirming it. It is fascinating that concepts imagined 100 years ago will influence the physical and intellectual spaces we inhabit in the future. Sean Runnette narrated the book.

4 people found this helpful

Simply fantastic

I never fully grasped the impact and meaning of Plank's constant until this book.

A must read / listen.

Learned a lot about quantum physics

I learned a lot more about quantum physics. But this book is more than about the science of quantum physics and the bios of the founders of the field. It also spends about half the book on social, philosophical, and artistic impacts of quantum physics. This might be interesting to some people, but a few pages rather than half a book on the topic would have suited me better.

I listen to science books about 5 times as I'm not able to put full attention on them when I'm listening -- driving, doing housework, etc. So, the last few times that I listened, I skipped the societal implications.

If your interest is primarily the science of quantum physics, this is not where to start. The science presentations are too concise for a beginner. However, I've read several books and watched endless numbers of Youtube videos on the subject. My math is not up to the level needed for quantum physics.

For me, the level of the book was about right -- only a few very simple equations. By careful, repeated listening, I picked up more understanding of the subject. I find that the more different videos I see, words I look up, and books that I read & listen to, the more understanding I gain.

It took me a while to get used to the narrator -- he has a style that I found a little distracting -- sort of sing-songy, but that doesn't quite capture it. He's a clear speaker though, and his voice is fine.

If you're a beginner, I'd start with Youtube videos, one after another, until you're somewhat oriented. Then, you might get "Dr. Quantum Presents the Real Creator, You!" -- also on Audible. It's by a quantum physicist though so informally presented that you might not think so. And it's got some philosophical viewpoints that you might not care for. But its presentation of quantum physics is a good place to start and it's pretty entertaining. There are probably lots of other good places to start as well.

Good enough introduction and general overview

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

this was my very first audio book purchase and i couldn't have picked a better tittlei have been going over the topic of quantum mechanics and sub particle physics for quite sometimes with multiple readings here and there.although this book was not a deep plunge into the nitty and gritty but it was a very insightful introduction to the ideas or the basics of quantum mechanics.the authors painted a picture for the reader and eased them into the story, allowing a better understanding of the principles.
i liked the way he segwayed from the traditional(Newtonian) way that we see the world and presented it in the quantum realm where everything is counter intuitive.Really enjoyed this book and i would definitely recommend it to anyone new to this topic.

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert P. Crease and Alfred Scharff Goldhaber ? Why or why not?

the authors used various real world examples from their own lectures to pop culture to shed light on the topic presented in the book, the story and the rhythm of the book was very fluent which made a very good read, it tended to get a bit redundant at time but would definitely check out other books by the authors

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Spot-on

Did The Quantum Moment inspire you to do anything?

Go further into Quantum mechanics

Any additional comments?

Good book, very insightful

Mixed approach not helpful

What would have made The Quantum Moment better?

I wanted a straightforward book presenting quantum theory. I lost patience with this book that seemed intent on wordiness rather than presenting its topic.

1 person found this helpful

Goes Over The Basics

Goes over the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, tying them in with one or two references from popular culture for each concept.

1 person found this helpful

G R E A T ! ! ! Done.....

This really was well done !
Rearly do I listen to an audio book on one go so:
I will be reviewing this book at least a fee times.