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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
This was our book club pick for last month. I'm relatively science literate but this isn't the kind of thing I usually read. I wouldn't exactly classify it as an easy read, but on the other hand, he explains the concepts as clearly as is possible for someone who was an English major. I've read Elegant Universe and Brief History of Time, so the ideas weren't entirely new to me, but it is the most up-to-date version of them and makes an interesting read. There is a fair amount of poetic description, and our group was divided among those who felt the poetic language was what made the book worth reading and those who felt the poetic parts dragged and wasted time. I was somewhere in between-- I enjoyed the lovely language at the beginning, but by time I was 2/3 of the way through, I really wanted him to just get on with it. Worth reading. Sometimes you have to just keep going and it becomes clearer later on.
pejahanako's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Always exceedingly impressed with the depth these books traverse and the accessibility of the writing.
Introducing early physics concepts and applying them to the journey of quantum gravity and an exploration of quantum loop theory, Rovelli's words read with gorgeous fluidity. The only qualm I have is the very strong stances he tends to take on current quantum debates, I think these should be taken with a grain of salt- as reading any other quantum physics book will make it clear there are strong arguments to be made for many other theories beyond loop.
Introducing early physics concepts and applying them to the journey of quantum gravity and an exploration of quantum loop theory, Rovelli's words read with gorgeous fluidity. The only qualm I have is the very strong stances he tends to take on current quantum debates, I think these should be taken with a grain of salt- as reading any other quantum physics book will make it clear there are strong arguments to be made for many other theories beyond loop.
ixthus68's review against another edition
5.0
So I am new to much of this discussion about quantum gravity, space time, etc. But I find it utterly fascinating. It is amazing the strides we have made since last I heard about science in my formative days.
I love how this book is laid out incorporating the history of science to give some perspective and context to where we are today. And boy, do I love context!
I find this book so helpful and so interesting that I want to go back a re-read it immediately. Similar to how I felt when I read the Martian. Although it is much more compelling in this case to do it. I feel like I can better grasp the concepts now after full exposure than when I was a newbie to these ideas.
I love how this book is laid out incorporating the history of science to give some perspective and context to where we are today. And boy, do I love context!
I find this book so helpful and so interesting that I want to go back a re-read it immediately. Similar to how I felt when I read the Martian. Although it is much more compelling in this case to do it. I feel like I can better grasp the concepts now after full exposure than when I was a newbie to these ideas.
nicolecaprice53's review against another edition
5.0
I’ll reread this every couple years when I start to think I understand; I do not.
glastolover's review
4.75
Incredible book. So poetic. Lots I don't understand, but this gives me more understanding than anything else has before and in such a wonder provoking and joy invoking way. Really love the references back to the science of early civilisations and the links to the history of science throughout. So good, I realised I needed a hard copy for reference, audiobook alone is not enough!