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The Order of Time

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The Order of Time

By: Carlo Rovelli, Erica Segre - translator, Simon Carnell - translator
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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About this listen

Winner of Audiobook of the Year at The Specsavers National Book Awards 2018

Penguin presents the audio edition of The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli, read by Benedict Cumberbatch.

The bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics takes us on an enchanting journey to discover the meaning of time

Time is a mystery that does not cease to puzzle us. Philosophers, artists and poets have long explored its meaning while scientists have found that its structure is different from the simple intuition we have of it. From Boltzmann to quantum theory, from Einstein to loop quantum gravity, our understanding of time has been undergoing radical transformations. Time flows at a different speed in different places, the past and the future differ far less than we might think, and the very notion of the present evaporates in the vast universe.

With his extraordinary charm and sense of wonder, bringing together science, philosophy and art, Carlo Rovelli unravels this mystery, inviting us to imagine a world where time is in us and we are not in time.

'A global superstar. . . Rovelli is making the grammar of the universe accessible to a new generation' - Channel 4 News

Consciousness & Thought Philosophy Physics Science Social Sciences Feel-Good Mathematics

Critic Reviews

I consider Carlo Rovelli to be a poet as much as a physicist. . . Everybody should read this book (Es Devlin)
Not only a lesson on physics but also philosophy, poetry, biology, even music. . . After guiding us through the cosmos in his previous books, now Rovelli undertakes a journey that begins and ends with ourselves and the discovery of the greatest mystery: what is time?
Do we exist in time or is it time that exists in us? To find out, we embark on a journey out of time with Carlo Rovelli, who knows how to speak to his readers' minds without ever overlooking their hearts
The physicist transforming how we see the universe
A global superstar. . . Professor Rovelli is making the grammar of the universe accessible to a new generation
The new Hawking. . . His writing is luminous (David Aaronovitch)
The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics (Bryan Appleyard)
All stars
Most relevant
Totally absorbing. A perspective I had not previously entertained but one well worth pursuing. l find Carlos insights refreshing.

A deep and intriguing view of time

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Interesting, thought provoking and philosophical. An in depth analysis of time beyond what many may have ever thought before.
The narration by Benedict Cumberbatch was exquisitely matched and wonderfully presented.

Timely

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I wouldn’t necessary say this is an introductory level explanation and exploration of the concept of time. However! This isn’t to say that it was inaccessible. As someone who has recently stumbled into their most recent hyperfixation (physics, astronomy, cosmology) via a popular romance novel (thank you Ali Hazelwood my queen for your service), I found this book to be both fascinating and engaging enough to hook my attention and guide my understanding. Could I explain anything that went on with any conviction ? Look, probably not. Do I feel super nerd smart and even more obsessed with the concept of time, space, and how that all relates to our little human experience ? YES. Simply put, I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it for all levels of understanding, for all you need is the passion to listen, learn, and think. And of course, Benedict Cumberbatch’s narration was so captivating and an equal driving force for my enjoyment. Hehe.

Yummy Narration of Mind Blowing Stuff

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Who knew that a basic concept that we take for granted, such as time, could be so complex and mysterious?
The soothing tones of Benedict Cumberbatch's voice make the whole book easy to listen to even while your mind grapples with new models of reality.
Fascinating book - a mixture of quantum science and philosophy.

Mind expanding

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Fascinating content that will make you reframe your thinking. I'm not sure I could have grasped the concepts as readily if not for Benadict's exemplary diction.

Worth it for Benadict's dulcet tones

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