Fundamental

How Quantum and Particle Physics Explain Absolutely Everything (Except Gravity)

By: Tim James

Narrated by: Tim James

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 20th 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; and 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.

©2019 Tim James (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Super well done and filled with insight

Really enjoyed it. Wish Mr James had time to more fully illustrate his points. Refreshing perspective!

Funny (including the voice), understandable

Funny and understandably written with just the right amount of personal sauce. One of the few books where the narration from the author is really good and I think wouldn't be better with professional actor. People like this should teach in school, because the entertaining narative kind of teaches itself

Mind Blown

I am new to the topic of quantum theory, and Tim James translated this heavy subject into an entertaining journey that left me sitting in my car several times not wanting to pause. Humor was great also, with lots of physics puns and dad jokes. Great book and performance.

Enjoyed

Good information and presented in a light hearted way. I really enjoyed listening to it

A Summertime Storybook for a Sophomore

Tim's masterful communication skills have revealed again !

In such courses, Professors start with Mathematics on the very first day, with no feelings of science.
Thank you Tim, this title must be an insult to those professors, and a summertime storybook for a sophomore.
From quantum Physics, nuclear and particle Physics to Astrophysics, and the exotic abstruse concepts made so easier.

So good to see such titles,
We need more writers like you in other fields of sciences.