Reality Is Not What It Seems

The Journey to Quantum Gravity

By: Carlo Rovelli, Simon Carnell - translator, Erica Segre - translator

Narrated by: Roy McMillan

From the New York Times best-selling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, The Order of Time, and Helgoland, a closer look at the mind-bending nature of the Universe.

What are the elementary ingredients of the world? Do time and space exist? And what exactly is reality? Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli has spent his life exploring these questions. He tells us how our understanding of reality has changed over the centuries and how physicists think about the structure of the Universe today.

In elegant and accessible prose, Rovelli takes us on a wondrous journey from Democritus to Albert Einstein, from Michael Faraday to gravitational waves, and from classical physics to his own work in quantum gravity. As he shows us how the idea of reality has evolved over time, Rovelli offers deeper explanations of the theories he introduced so concisely in Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.

This audiobook culminates in a lucid overview of quantum gravity, the field of research that explores the quantum nature of space and time, seeking to unify quantum mechanics, and general relativity. Rovelli invites us to imagine a marvelous world where space breaks up into tiny grains, time disappears at the smallest scales, and black holes are waiting to explode - a vast universe still largely undiscovered.

©2017 Carlo Rovelli (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The man who makes physics sexy...the scientist they’re calling the next Stephen Hawking.” (The Times Magazine)

“[Reality Is Not What It Seems] is simultaneously aimed at the curious layperson while also useful to the modern scientist.... Rovelli lets us nibble or gorge ourselves, depending on our appetites, on several scrumptious equations. He doesn’t expect everyone to be a master of the equations or even possess much mathematical acumen, but the equations serve as appetizers for those inclined to get their fill, so to speak.” (Raleigh News & Observer)

“[Reality Is Not What It Seems] is simultaneously aimed at the curious layperson while also useful to the modern scientist.... Rovelli lets us nibble or gorge ourselves, depending on our appetites, on several scrumptious equations. He doesn’t expect everyone to be a master of the equations or even possess much mathematical acumen, but the equations serve as appetizers for those inclined to get their fill, so to speak.” (Raleigh News & Observer)

Science is about uncertainty

There was little to dislike about this book. If you want a lucid explanation of what science is and of the nature of the universe read this book.

Best Physics Book of Last 5 Years

Great book, presented in very simplified understandable terms of complex subjects. Really liked his humble dialog, and suggestion that merging of quantum mechanics, relativity, and entropy will be needed to make a complete model of the nature of the universe and matter.

WOAH! mind blown.

The theories were broken down very well but at times I still felt very lost. I think this is one I'll have to re-listen to but it all is so fascinating!!

Interesting look at physics & the universe

Another interesting and well-written book about quantum physics and the nature of the universe.

Rovelli has some good things to say about the importance of science, and reviews the history of physics, starting with Demosthenes first hypothosizing the atom. It's lively and interesting, and including fun details I had previously missed. Then we get to the meat of the matter. What is the universe really made of.

The two main theories of the universe, general relativity and quantum physics. General relativity works very well at the scale of the large, while quantum physics works very well at the scale of the very small. The problem is that they don't work well together. And with black holes and the beginnings of the universe, we really need them to work together.

The most popular theory for making them work together has been string theory. String theory seems to work well, but seems not to have the kind of evidence physicists would like to see. Rovelli is not a supporter of string theory, based on the lack of evidence problem. Here he talks about another theory, loop quantum gravity.

His discussion of it makes it interesting. I freely admit I do not understand the math necessary for physics, but Rovelli makes it conceptually interesting and at least seemingly understandable. He says it has more supporting evidence than string theory, while freely admitting there's plenty of room for that to change.

It's an interesting and enjoyable book.

I have to take the efforts of the translators on faith, of course, but the results are enjoyable to listen to, and the narrator does a good job.

I bought this audiobook.

amazing

Very humbly written And so informative I would recommend this book to anybody who was just curious about the universe

Remarkable

Last two chapters really blew my mind, together with a chapter in the beginning explaining the spin foam and basics of loop quantum gravity. There are some truly progressive thoughts in this book that I haven’t heard anywhere else and it made me interested in loop quantum gravity, Shannon’s theory and heat theory. Highly recommended for scientific minds looking for stimulating ideas about the world, space, time, cosmos and reality.

Content and Narrator are Superb!

The writer made physics and quantum physics understandable for non-scientists. The narrator crafted each sentence to maximize interest and listenability. I thoroughly enjoyed this...but I’m a little nerdy in my quest for understanding the universe!

The Best Book I've Ever Read!

Hey Readers,
I have a Platinum membership with Audible, which I renew about three times yearly and that's a lot of books!
Carlo Rovelli's book, Reality Is Not What It Seems is hands down the best book I've ever listened to. I'm very interested in quantum physics and loop quantum gravity but have never been able to find anything written about it that made sense and was interesting. Carlo Rovelli, and his team of translators and narrator have done a incredible job of communicating the unknown into an interesting, understandable and captivating work of art. Their skills are a gift in communication seldom reached by mortal man. Mr. Rovelli integrates the scientific approach in a humorous and down-to-earth way, and you've got to listen to this if you have any interest at all in learning about our universe and how it works.

Respectfully,
Sleeves from Virginia,

Definitely for the nerd in me.

Really enjoyed this brief yet succinct book. It's a beautiful mix between current Quantum Loops and philosophical questioning. Narrator did a wonderful job as well!

The best “short” science book I’ve ever read

Rovelli has written a science masterpiece! He had proven the thesis that more is less, by using only the necessary verbiage to explain complex scientific concepts. I strongly recommend this audiobook!