Physics of the Impossible

A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation,and Time Travel

By: Michio Kaku

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

A fascinating exploration of the science of the impossible—from death rays and force fields to invisibility cloaks—revealing to what extent such technologies might be achievable decades or millennia into the future.

One hundred years ago, scientists would have said that lasers, televisions, and the atomic bomb were beyond the realm of physical possibility. In Physics of the Impossible, the renowned physicist Michio Kaku explores to what extent the technologies and devices of science fiction that are deemed equally impossible today might well become commonplace in the future.

From teleportation to telekinesis, Kaku uses the world of science fiction to explore the fundamentals—and the limits—of the laws of physics as we know them today. He ranks the impossible technologies by categories—Class I, II, and III, depending on when they might be achieved, within the next century, millennia, or perhaps never. In a compelling and thought-provoking narrative, he explains:
· How the science of optics and electromagnetism may one day enable us to bend light around an object, like a stream flowing around a boulder, making the object invisible to observers “downstream”
· How ramjet rockets, laser sails, antimatter engines, and nanorockets may one day take us to the nearby stars
· How telepathy and psychokinesis, once considered pseudoscience, may one day be possible using advances in MRI, computers, superconductivity, and nanotechnology
· Why a time machine is apparently consistent with the known laws of quantum physics, although it would take an unbelievably advanced civilization to actually build one
Kaku uses his discussion of each technology as a jumping-off point to explain the science behind it. An extraordinary scientific adventure, Physics of the Impossible takes readers on an unforgettable, mesmerizing journey into the world of science that both enlightens and entertains.©2008 Michio Kaku; (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

“Science and science fiction buffs can easily follow Kaku’s explanations as he shows that in the wonderful worlds of science, impossible things are happening every day.” —Publishers Weekly


CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR PARALLEL WORLDS

“A wonderful tour, with an expert guide, of a cosmos whose comprehension forces us to stretch to the very limits of imagination.” —Brian Greene, author of The Fabric of the Cosmos

“A highly readable and exhilarating romp through the frontiers of cosmology.”
—Martin Rees, author of Our Cosmic Habitat and Our Final Century

“A roller-coaster ride through the universe—and beyond—by one of the world’s finest science writers.” —Paul Davies, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, Macquarie University, Sydney, and author of How to Build a Time Machine


CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR HYPERSPACE

“One of the best popular accounts of higher physics.” —Jim Holt, Wall Street Journal

“Among the best of the genre to appear in recent years . . . What a wonderful adventure it is.” —New York Times Book Review

“Mesmerizing . . . the reader exits dizzy, elated, and looking at the world in a literally revolutionary way.” —Washington Post Book World

stellar

amazing, learned so much physics, truly an inspiration to think we know so much about reality

Theories not realities

nice intertaining book about way out theries in Physics. I have no complaints. I just wonder if we will ever get back to the moon let alone travel through a black hole. I do love reading these books and musing with the arthur. Not for everybody for sure. I recommend as a non scientist.

Explained well!

I thoroughly enjoyed this educational book! Exciting stuff! Will listen to more of his books!

Hope for the Impossible

This book isn't for everyone, but is well worth the effort for those who find the challenges of Theoretical Physics interesting. The book provides a good summary of the topic, with an avenue for the hope of future inquiry. This is my second book by this author and I find his presentations clearly explained.

AWESOME!!

Feodor Chin is an fantastic narrator. You forget you're being read to. Chin's voice slides smoothly and effortlessly through your ears.
As for the author, Micheo Kaku is a brilliant astrophysicist that expands ones mind to the possibilities and inevitabilities of man, the planet and the universe.
This is an awesome read and worth every penny!!