BookFrontier
What Is Real? by Adam Becker
Book

What Is Real?

The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics

Basic Books · 2019-09-03

What Is Real?: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics

Buy on Amazon

See Lists Featuring This Book

Disclosure: Some outbound links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission. It doesn't affect which books we include. Learn more in our disclosure policy.

Who It's For

  • Good for readers who enjoy Biography & Memoir
  • Good for readers interested in history
  • Good for fans of Science

What You Get

  • Themes: History, Science, Philosophy.
  • Reading lane: Biography & Memoir and Science.
  • Publisher: Basic Books.

About This Book

"A thorough, illuminating exploration of the most consequential controversy raging in modern science." -- New York Times Book Review An Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review Longlisted for PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing Longlisted for Goodreads Choice Award Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Ni...

Read full description

"A thorough, illuminating exploration of the most consequential controversy raging in modern science." -- New York Times Book Review An Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review Longlisted for PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing Longlisted for Goodreads Choice Award Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr's solipsistic and poorly reasoned Copenhagen interpretation. Indeed, questioning it has long meant professional ruin, yet some daring physicists, such as John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett, persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. What Is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth. "An excellent, accessible account." -- Wall Street Journal "Splendid. . . . Deeply detailed research, accompanied by charming anecdotes about the scientists." -- Washington Post