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deadly_nightshade_ 's review for:
Reality is Not What it Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity
by Carlo Rovelli
This book blew my head off.
First off, before reading this, I thought I knew more about quantum/astrophysics than I really did. I knew about string theory, Schrodinger's cat, the obligatory double slit experiment, quantum entanglement...what else could there be? Apparently a lot. In this book, Carlo Rovelli explains the theory of quantum gravity, which I never even heard of before reading the cover. If you want to know more about quantum gravity, or if you want to acquire a change in perspective, definitely read this book. However, if you want to know more about special or general relativity, this is not really the place to look. Rovelli goes through the history of physics in the first half of this book, and it's just thorough enough to help you understand the concepts behind quantum gravity, which is the subject of the second half of the book. If you didn't understand special relativity before reading the book, it probably won't help you gain a better understanding. The issue is that there are many quotes and examples that aren't thoroughly explained. This is not the case for the quantum gravity section. Even though some of the examples in the first half of the book were lacking, I still think it deserves a 5-star rating. Carlo Rovelli tells a story about space, time, and gravity that is just paradigm shifting to a lay reader. His prose is magical and enthusiastic, rather than sterile and monotone like one might expect from a physicist.
I like that he doesn't pretend to have all the definite answers, and doesn't metaphorically spit on religious people, which seems to be a fashionable thing to do nowadays. I can also say that by my knowledge, he actually has a pretty good understanding of Plato's work, and he calls him out when he needs to and gives him credit where credit is due. Good for you, Carlo.
I highly recommend this book. It changed my outlook on reality.
First off, before reading this, I thought I knew more about quantum/astrophysics than I really did. I knew about string theory, Schrodinger's cat, the obligatory double slit experiment, quantum entanglement...what else could there be? Apparently a lot. In this book, Carlo Rovelli explains the theory of quantum gravity, which I never even heard of before reading the cover. If you want to know more about quantum gravity, or if you want to acquire a change in perspective, definitely read this book. However, if you want to know more about special or general relativity, this is not really the place to look. Rovelli goes through the history of physics in the first half of this book, and it's just thorough enough to help you understand the concepts behind quantum gravity, which is the subject of the second half of the book. If you didn't understand special relativity before reading the book, it probably won't help you gain a better understanding. The issue is that there are many quotes and examples that aren't thoroughly explained. This is not the case for the quantum gravity section. Even though some of the examples in the first half of the book were lacking, I still think it deserves a 5-star rating. Carlo Rovelli tells a story about space, time, and gravity that is just paradigm shifting to a lay reader. His prose is magical and enthusiastic, rather than sterile and monotone like one might expect from a physicist.
I like that he doesn't pretend to have all the definite answers, and doesn't metaphorically spit on religious people, which seems to be a fashionable thing to do nowadays. I can also say that by my knowledge, he actually has a pretty good understanding of Plato's work, and he calls him out when he needs to and gives him credit where credit is due. Good for you, Carlo.
I highly recommend this book. It changed my outlook on reality.