The Matter of Everything

How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbable Experiments Changed the World

By: Suzie Sheehy

Narrated by: Suzie Sheehy

A surprising, fascinating journey through the experiments that not only unlocked the nature of matter and shaped our understanding of the cosmos but also forever changed the way we live within it

"A book about the fundamental problems of physics written from a viewpoint I hadn’t come across before: that of the experimenter. A splendid idea, vividly carried out.”–Philip Pullman, best-selling author of His Dark Materials

Physics has always sought to deepen our understanding of the nature of matter and the world around us. But how do you conduct experiments with the fundamental building blocks of existence? How do you manipulate a particle a trillion times smaller than a grain of sand? How do you cause a proton to sail around a twenty-seven-kilometer-long loop 11,000 times per second? And, crucially, why is all this important?

In The Matter of Everything, accelerator physicist Suzie Sheehy introduces us to the people who, through a combination of genius, persistence and luck, staged the experiments that changed the course of history. From the serendipitous discovery of X-rays in a German laboratory to the scientists trying to prove Einstein wrong (and inadvertently proving him right) to the race to split open the atom, these brilliant experiments led to some of the most significant breakthroughs in science and fundamentally changed our lives. They have helped us detect the flow of lava deep inside volcanoes, develop life-saving medical techniques like diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy, and create radio, TV, microwaves, smartphones—even the World Wide Web itself—among countless other advancements.

Along the way, Sheehy pulls back the curtain to reveal how physics is really done—not only by theorists with equation-filled blackboards but also by experimentalists with hand-blown glass, hot air balloons and cathedral-sized electronics. Celebrating human ingenuity, creativity and above all curiosity, The Matter of Everything is an inspiring story of discovery and a powerful reminder that progress is a function of our desire to know.

©2023 Suzie Sheehy (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A Best Book of the Year: New Scientist, The Sunday Times (UK)

“This fascinating and highly readable book captures the radical excitement of experimental science as it's being made. It’s an all-action thriller, laced with some of the most profound ideas humans have ever had.” –Brian Eno

“Kicking off with the discovery of X-rays towards the end of the nineteenth century to the massive colliders scientists dream of building today, The Matter of Everything is an impassioned, elegant history of particle physics and its applications. Dr. Sheehy adroitly brings together a glittering cast of characters–from the famous giants of the field to the unjustly overlooked scientists whose shoulders they stood on–to tell the story of the most fundamental of all sciences.” –Ananyo Bhattacharya, author of The Man From the Future

“This is a book about the fundamental problems of physics written from a viewpoint I hadn’t come across before: that of the experimenter. Someone first thought of the cloud chamber, or the cyclotron, or the MRI scanner, and that person (or that team) had to build one: you couldn’t buy one off the shelf. The actual sequence of experiments, and failures, and more experiments, and success, is a fascinating one, especially for any readers excited, as I am, by the thought of making things. A splendid idea, vividly carried out: I enjoyed this book enormously.” –Philip Pullman

Inspiration

Everything was excellent , from the material to the performance. Amazing determination of physicists inspires me to complete my startup.

Enjoyed this book.

I have read/heard most armchair theoretical physics books and they have become repetitive. This was a wonderful and easy intro to experimental particle physics. It was great to hear a new perspective. No math, just a well organized and communicated history. I had to slow her voice down a bit. I hope to read more from her.

well worth reading

a fascinating tour of the history of the subject.
unexpectedly I learned a LOT in addition about the medical results of these physics breakthroughs.
I look forward to her next book!

Captivating and woundrous physics stories told by an amazing cientist

Just listen to it If you like science or history. I loved it. Very engaging tales, where we learn untold and heroic adventures from pioneers of science.

Outstanding History of Curiosity-Driven Science

Sheehy did an amazing job telling the story of how curiosity driven research has profoundly impacted our modern lives, usually in unintended and unplanned ways. Her expertise as an accelerator physicist shines through in her attention to detail and deep knowledge of the subject matter. Accessible for nearly any audience.