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  • The World According to Physics

  • By: Jim Al-Khalili
  • Narrated by: Jim Al-Khalili
  • Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (191 ratings)
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The World According to Physics

By: Jim Al-Khalili
Narrated by: Jim Al-Khalili
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Summary

Quantum physicist, New York Times best-selling author, and BBC host Jim Al-Khalili offers a fascinating and illuminating look at what physics reveals about the world.

Shining a light on the most profound insights revealed by modern physics, Jim Al-Khalili invites us all to understand what this crucially important science tells us about the universe and the nature of reality itself.

Al-Khalili begins by introducing the fundamental concepts of space, time, energy, and matter, and then describes the three pillars of modern physics - quantum theory, relativity, and thermodynamics - showing how all three must come together if we are ever to have a full understanding of reality. Using wonderful examples and thought-provoking analogies, Al-Khalili illuminates the physics of the extreme cosmic and quantum scales, the speculative frontiers of the field, and the physics that underpins our everyday experiences and technologies, bringing the listener up to speed with the biggest ideas in physics in just a few sittings. Physics is revealed as an intrepid human quest for ever more foundational principles that accurately explain the natural world we see around us, an undertaking guided by core values such as honesty and doubt. The knowledge discovered by physics both empowers and humbles us, and still, physics continues to delve valiantly into the unknown.

Making even the most enigmatic scientific ideas accessible and captivating, this deeply insightful audiobook illuminates why physics matters to everyone and calls one and all to share in the profound adventure of seeking truth in the world around us.

©2020 Jim Al-Khalili (P)2020 Princeton University Press

Critic reviews

"A clear, simple, and fascinating account of what physics tells us about our universe, and - crucially - what evidence supports that view, from one of the most talented, inspiring, and informative popularizers of science. A triumph!" (Ian Stewart, author of Do Dice Play God?)

"Clearly written and inviting, even to readers who may not at first consider themselves scientific, The World According to Physics is a book that should be read and appreciated by many." (Jocelyn Bell Burnell, University of Oxford)

"So much science packed into such a tiny package! Jim Al-Khalili manages to give an accessible overview of an enormous amount of modern physics, without it ever feeling rushed. This book will be enjoyed by anyone who wants a glimpse of how modern physicists are thinking about some of the hardest problems in the universe." (Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime)

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no fluff, good solid physics update

This is a great explanation of the current ideas in physics. I'll need to listen to some chapters a few times but that's why I enjoy Jim Al-Khalili, he doesn't simplify everything and explains complex ideas and what they are about, with the maths sometimes, no bad thing! There are ideas here that I haven't come across before and it is exciting to know what the current concepts are.

I really enjoyed the narration, of course Jim is a confident presenter and this comes across in the book. very easy to listen to. a great interview at the end with Jim is well done and adds something to the book. Definitely recommended!

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5 people found this helpful

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Brilliant as always and better with Jim reading

It’s always great to let your mind drift into Jim’s world and in this book that world comes to life. Looking forward to the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

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Intriguing

Absorbing content, Jim Al-Kalili makes you want and need to listen to this compilation!

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1 person found this helpful

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Ok and well narrated

Brought me up to speed with some of the more recent developments in theoretical physics but it didn’t grab me much. Made up for by excellent delivery by the author.

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Muslim Perspective

Good overview of the history, state and future prospects of physics. As a Muslim though, the latent atheism of the rhetoric is disturbing. Jim assumes that the second we understand the mechanics behind something, it doesn’t need God anymore and it’s just “physics”. The burning response every time in my head is: does understanding the mechanics behind something mean that it doesn’t have or need a designer anymore? It seems patently nonsensical to me. I appreciate Jim’s honesty in talking about how physicists are very uncomfortable with some implications of their work, such as the seeming fine-tuning of the universe.

We know very, very little of the world to this day. Grand and arrogant conclusions such as atheism, which goes against every fabric of human nature, are untenable.

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excellent

Found it an easy Listen. Giving a great depth of understanding. Of up-to-date Physics Criteria.

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A fascinating and beautiful subject!

I loved this book. Jim Al-Khalili explains the search for the truth about things that are in such a beautiful way. I could listen to him all day! I struggled with some parts particularly the quantum world but I've come away with a (rough!) overall understanding of the search for the nature of our Universe and a fascination for the current work in astronomy, especially the James Webb Telescope's amazing pictures. And as the future is quantum in terms of technological advancements, I shall be taking more interest in these developments. I shall also go back and re-listen to some chapters!
Thank you Jim Al-Khalili and Audible.

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Possibly the best science book of the year

Incredibly well written, a superbly clear - and enthusiastic - overview of modern physics from the basics to the cutting edge. Al-Khalili takes some hugely complex ideas and explains them in a way that's understandable and makes you want to find out more. Buy this book!

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  • 28-06-22

one of my favourite science communicators

Excellent book and well read.
really enjoyed it.
looking forward to listening to more from Jim.

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nice and compact.

A wonderful articulation of the modern concepts of our physical nature. Jim conveys these ideas extremely coherently to the layman. As physics teacher, I found this book a welcome gift to help me with keeping students interested in the subject, a kick up the backside almost.

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