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Fundamental

How quantum and particle physics explain absolutely everything (except gravity)

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Fundamental

By: Tim James
Narrated by: Tim James
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Summary

 Fundamental does for physics what Tim's first book, Elemental, does for chemistry: it demystifies the topic in his trademark humorous, engaging style, including the most recent developments in the field.

At the start of the twentieth century, science appeared complete and the laws of nature were almost all discovered, but then we woke a sleeping giant - we discovered quantum mechanics.
In the quantum realm, objects can be in two places at once. It's a place where time travel is not only possible, but necessary. It's a place where cause and effect can happen in reverse and observing something changes its state. From parallel universes to antimatter, quantum mechanics has revealed that when you get right down to it, the laws of nature are insane. The scientist J. B. S. Haldane once said, 'Reality is not only stranger than we imagine . . . it's stranger than we can imagine.' Never is this more true than with quantum mechanics; our best, most recent attempt to make sense of the fundamental laws of nature.

Fundamental is a comprehensive beginner's guide to quantum mechanics, explaining not only the weirdness of the subject but the experiments that proved it to be true. Using a humorous and light-hearted approach, Fundamental tells the story of how the most brilliant minds in science grappled with seemingly impossible ideas and gave us everything from microchips to particle accelerators. Fundamental gives clear explanations of all the quantum phenomena known to modern science, without requiring an understanding of complex mathematics; tells the eccentric stories of the scientists who made these shattering discoveries and what they used them for; explains how quantum field theory (a topic not covered in detail by any other popular-science book) gave rise to particle physics and why the Higgs boson isn't the end of the story. Physics Science Mathematics Heartfelt Witty
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Definitely enjoyed this listen, well written, thorough and entertaining but after a while the 'wacky analogies' and humour got a bit old. I came straight from his first book Elemental (brilliant, cannot recommend enough) which was not read by the author. Strangely enough I think it was better in its delivery because of this. Generally when I find a audiobook read by the author I get quite excited but here it came off a bit... indulgent maybe? After a while I just got bored of the Tim James-ish-ness, which felt a bit obnoxious and that distracted from the content and quality of writing. Overall though; definitely a recommendation, might just be better as a read.

Great listen. Leans a bit on the humour though.

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