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A review by thereadingpotato
Helgoland: Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution by Carlo Rovelli
4.0
In Helgoland, Carlo Rovelli takes an accessible approach to understanding quantum theory- how it was first developed, has changed over time and is now understood. Weaving in history and philosophy, the connection between quantum theory and our daily lives is continuously evident.
This book was a pleasant surprise. As someone who changed their college major just to avoid taking any physics classes, I was apprehensive before I began reading. However, Rovelli writes in an approachable way that is enjoyable for those that know little to none about physics (like me) and for those that are experts in the field. He manages to maintain an engaging and informative tone without being too dense or complicated.
I particularly enjoyed hearing about the journey of scientific discovery. Far from reading like a textbook, it read more like a series of events and people that continuously interacted and philosophically combatted to find the truth about our world. From Schrodinger and Bohr to Lenin and Einstein, there are several familiar names that come up through the development of quantum theory, and I loved hearing how they were all interconnected.
One of the most emphasized ideas in this book is the fact that everything is relational, meaning everything that we see is perceived based upon its relation to something else. The interconnectedness of our world, and the fact that there is still so much we do not know or understand was something that definitely interested me.
Overall, a comprehensive look at quantum theory that is ideal for those that enjoy books about science, particularly scientific discovery, physics and philosophy.
Thank you to Riverhead Books for this #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a pleasant surprise. As someone who changed their college major just to avoid taking any physics classes, I was apprehensive before I began reading. However, Rovelli writes in an approachable way that is enjoyable for those that know little to none about physics (like me) and for those that are experts in the field. He manages to maintain an engaging and informative tone without being too dense or complicated.
I particularly enjoyed hearing about the journey of scientific discovery. Far from reading like a textbook, it read more like a series of events and people that continuously interacted and philosophically combatted to find the truth about our world. From Schrodinger and Bohr to Lenin and Einstein, there are several familiar names that come up through the development of quantum theory, and I loved hearing how they were all interconnected.
One of the most emphasized ideas in this book is the fact that everything is relational, meaning everything that we see is perceived based upon its relation to something else. The interconnectedness of our world, and the fact that there is still so much we do not know or understand was something that definitely interested me.
Overall, a comprehensive look at quantum theory that is ideal for those that enjoy books about science, particularly scientific discovery, physics and philosophy.
Thank you to Riverhead Books for this #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.