Reviews - Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity

370 reviews for:

Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity

I learned almost nothing from this book. Most likely a skill issue....also the beginning was too much about Guys Doing Physics instead of the physics itself. Yuck I hate guys!!! Plus the author completely glossed over India and Arab empires' contribution to math and science by claiming that they basically just kept Greek theories safe in a little box somewhere while Europe descended into Christian feudalism. Like idk that much about India and Arab empires but I'm pretty sure they invented algebra and geometry....the languages physics uses to make sense of itself. So if you're gonna spend half a book recounting the greatest minds in science then ignore India and the Arab world's contributions then I'm questioning everything else

readinabyss's review against another edition

5.0

oh this was amazing and so simple to understand

olharapo's review against another edition

4.0

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

rosiemay97's review against another edition

3.5

Can't pretend I understood everything (and I did physics at uni). But it was really interesting and I learnt a lot and now have a slightly more informed view on what quantum gravity is, and a few of the theories out there. It will require me to do some work on my own - watching youtube videos and reading papers - to get a fuller grasp on it though.

julcoh's review against another edition

5.0

A stunning achievement of popular science writing.

Rovelli immerses us in the spinfoam of his imagination. He weaves a mesmerizing tale of the history of theoretical physics, connecting the oldest remnants of Greek philosophy to the most visionary reaches of modern science.

Clear, concise, mind-blowing, beautifully written, and above all utterly readable for the layperson. Not an easy feat when describing the ethereal realms of general relativity, quantum mechanics, the loop theory of quantum gravity, and the possibility of thermal time.

danvans's review against another edition

5.0

Have you ever wanted to take a deep dive into the world of physics? Yeah I thought I did until I dove into this bad boy. It was all amazing and so far over my head, I enjoyed it and hated it at the same time. I do still love physics and it’s beautifully complex way to explain the universe around us, but man I need a math nap. All around a good time but be forewarned, it’s A LOT.