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  • Our Mathematical Universe

  • My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality
  • By: Max Tegmark
  • Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
  • Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (509 ratings)
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Our Mathematical Universe

By: Max Tegmark
Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
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Summary

Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy, and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last - this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2014 Max Tegmark (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Tegmark offers a fascinating exploration of multiverse theories, each one offering new ways to explain ‘quantum weirdness’ and other mysteries that have plagued physicists, culminating in the idea that our physical world is ‘a giant mathematical object’ shaped by geometry and symmetry. Tegmark’s writing is lucid, enthusiastic, and outright entertaining, a thoroughly accessible discussion leavened with anecdotes and the pure joy of a scientist at work.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Lively and lucid, the narrative invites general readers into debates over computer models for brain function, over scientific explanations of consciousness, and over prospects for finding advanced life in other galaxies. Though he reflects soberly on the perils of nuclear war and of hostile artificial intelligence, Tegmark concludes with a bracingly upbeat call for scientifically minded activists who recognize a rare opportunity to make our special planet a force for cosmic progress. An exhilarating adventure for bold readers.” (Bryce Cristensen, Booklist, starred review)

“Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions at the fertile interface of physics and philosophy: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark—one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists—guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it’s right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered.” (Brian Greene, physicist, author of The Elegant Universe and The Hidden Reality)  

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Test Your Little Grey Cells

What made the experience of listening to Our Mathematical Universe the most enjoyable?

The first half of the book gives you a history of cosmology and its associated mathematics. The second half is Max Tegmark's theory of the Big Bang and what came after.

What did you like best about this story?

A very clear explanation of the theorys of the cosmos and the problems of interpreting what is observed and calculated.

What does Rob Shapiro bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Rob Shapiro, the voice actor, gives a very well paced and clear performance of the text.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Max Tegmark can be profound, humourus and very honest.

Any additional comments?

A great book that furthers the understanding of the origin and future of our cosmos.

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9 people found this helpful

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I'd pay extra for Shapiro

The narrator Rob is absolutely excellent and has clearly read through the material first. I hope he carries on doing more. It would actually sway my decision to purchase another title.

I haven't finished the book yet so will update when I do - but at chapter 4 I am enthralled and engaged and thoroughly enjoying.

I usually bombard myself with lectures (yes, self inflicted - I am old enough to have left school with O levels and not bothered with much more that wasn't earning money.)

This narrative is kind of personal and he makes no apologies for that. Not in rude way but sets out his stall early doors that he is not going to try to "balance" his theories by reciting 10 others. It's actually quite refreshing.

Well written and well read.


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8 people found this helpful

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  • 21-03-14

An entertaining explanation of fascinating ideas.

Any additional comments?

I've been troubled by super positioning, boson fields and the time space continuum for quite a while now. Max Tegmark describes all of this eloquently and explains his thoughts on matters that I had not yet considered. During the read I experienced very brief moments of absolute clarity. So much so that I was able to expand some of the hypothesis into unchartered dimensions with my own original concepts. Of course I have forgotten all of them now, but the thought that I might be a Boltzmann brain remains disturbing. Top marks for Rob Shapiro the narrator as well. I will certainly revisit all 15 hours of this book again.

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6 people found this helpful

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Enjoyable trip through spacetime - no maths needed

I'm about 2/3rds through and am enjoying this book greatly. It provides a clear and accessible account of modern cosmology. Finally I understand why some people are very excited by measurements of cosmic microwave background radiation. The title may make you wonder whether this book will be hard work, but I didn't think so. You certainly don't have to do equations. Even though the subject matter (multiverses, general relativity & similar) may seem heavy going, the writing style of the book is quite chatty and enthusiastic, so it doesn't feel like work. And the narrator has a lovely smooth voice and reads with nice emphasis.

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I’m not an academic by any means

I *think* I understood most of this book, which is to say that I felt like my brain was in a pub fight whilst getting a careful manicure.

Weirdly would thoroughly recommend

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Max Tegmarks style is wonderful

If you know of Max Tegmark he has always been a bit of a black sheep in the worlkd of theoretical physics. Here he uses math to provide concepts of how our universe really is. A lot of the bok talks about the differing types of multiverse and whilst there is a fair amount of supposition in the book it really works. Tegmark is childlike in his joy about physics and its infectious. A great read and very funny too. Great Performance by Rob Shapiro too! spot on....

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Incredible - and not just for mathematicians

I came to Our Mathematical Universe from another Tegmark work, Life 3.0 (which I also highly recommend).

The title of this book had me a little worried at first - because I've always struggled with mathematics. But I needn't have worried. This isn't a book of equations - but rather perhaps a book about equations. As a non-scientist, and non-mathematician, I found the material to be well explained. I feel I now understand concepts like quantum superposition reasonably well. And really, when you arrive at the final section, where Tegmark argues (spoiler) that education will save us all, that's probably the purpose of the book.

I've been thinking about a lot of the problems described in this book since I was a child - and for the first time I feel like I might have gotten close to some answers. What are the limits of our universe? How far does it extend, and how fine does its resolution go? It's really inspiring stuff.

And because it's written by Tegmark, there's an enjoyable drama here too. I found myself getting genuinely angry while the author described the treatment of Hugh Everett III by his fellow physicists. As someone who left academia rather disillusioned myself, this struck a personal chord for me.

If you're interested in the big questions, then I wholeheartedly recommend Our Mathematical Universe. Some of the ideas here sound pretty crazy at first, but then again, so is our existence itself (as the book will tell you). I'll be revisiting this one for sure - as well as seeking out a lot of the other books Tegmark recommends here.

I didn't find this quite as easy to follow as Life 3.0, and there was a point where I really struggled to keep up (about 75% of the way through). I don't know how many times I hit rewind so that I could get a better understanding of something. But it was very much worth it - I enjoyed every minute. 9/10. Very, very good stuff.

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A Must

The best listen as far. Gone through many books etc on physics and this is a breath of fresh air. new perspectives on things and not a history lesson like others..

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A beautiful journey from start to end

This is a fascinating take on modern physics and it's application to our existence. Expert or not, this is an important work for everyone with even the slightest interest in the subject. Difficult concepts are explained well enough for even a non expert like me to gain a rough grasp.

Narration was faultless and added a friendly quality to the piece. Truly excellent in every respect.

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Stretch your mind into multidimensional realities.

Would you consider the audio edition of Our Mathematical Universe to be better than the print version?

It is certainly better in case the reader is blind. I generally prefer audio editions because I'm slightly dyslexic and it takes me ages to read a book. But in this case I think I will take a look at the printed version too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Our Mathematical Universe?

At the end of the last chapter when it says that us, fellow travelers of the blue planet spaceship can make a difference if we put our resources into the right direction.

What about Rob Shapiro’s performance did you like?

It was impeccable and so brilliantly capable to deliver onto an emotional level highly complex abstract constructs of ideas.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes both. I've found hilarious many episode narrated and very emotional the end of the book.

Any additional comments?

This is a book that opens the door to a vast 'youniverse'. It's the beginning of a fascinating series of readings and research that will expand not only my knowledge but also my ability to look at the incredible potential of human awareness.

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