The Order of Time cover art

The Order of Time

Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch

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The Order of Time

By: Carlo Rovelli
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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About this listen

Winner of the Specsavers Audiobook of the Year 2018.

Penguin presents the audio edition of The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli. The best-selling 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 different speeds 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.

©2018 Carlo Rovelli (P)2018 Penguin Audio Consciousness & Thought Philosophy Physics Science Social Sciences Feel-Good Mathematics

Critic Reviews

"A global superstar...Rovelli is making the grammar of the universe accessible to a new generation." (Channel 4 News)

"Benedict Cumberbatch's warm, resonant voice makes him a very fine narrator." (The Times)

"Cumberbatch possesses a deep and rich voice and reads the text in a precise but unhurried manner, with the result that we feel as if we are getting an exposition by an erudite but gentle teacher." (The New York Times)
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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Highly memorable, though sometimes very meandering. Rovelli is unlike any other writer of physics. An extremely confronting exploration of physical reality and the human condition. The first two sections contain all the important and cosmos-shattering assertions about the emergence of time from stranger underlying structures. The last few chapters were too poetic for my liking. Benedict obviously enjoyed narrating this book.

Hard physics and flowery in equal measure

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Cumberbatch is a perfect narrator for thing deep and philosophical conversation on time one of if not the world's most impossible existential conundrums.
the only down side to this is it's brevity.

wish it was longer

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A very well pitched and paced journey thru questions of time. Extremely cultured in that European way.

Dreamy reading, accessible and stimulating ideas

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Incredibly well written book made infinitely better by Benedict Cumberpatch narrating it. If you're still on the fence about reading this book, read it.

Incredible

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A beautifully written and narrated short book about the intriguing and complex topic of time. The story takes one on a journey spanning early human thinking through current understanding proven by science to emerging concepts in physics. Along the way the author weaves his own personal reflections about this fascinating and yet to be fully understood topic.

Beautifully written and narrated

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