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Dreams of a Final Theory Audiobook
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(3.04) - 390 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is the story of a grand scientific quest: the quest for a unifying theory of nature—one that can explain forces as different as the cohesion inside the atom and the gravitational tug between the sun and the earth. Writing with dazzling elegance and clarity, Nobel Prize–winning physicist Steven Weinberg retraces the steps that have led modern scientists from relativity theory and quantum mechanics to the notion of superstrings and the idea that our universe may coexist with others. Along the way, he voices the questions that are always present: Why does each explanation of the way nature works point to other, deeper explanations? Why are the best theories not only logical but beautiful? And what implications will a final theory have for our philosophy and religious faith?
Intellectually daring, rich in anecdote and aphorism, Dreams of a Final Theory launches us into a new cosmos and helps us make sense of what we find there.
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"I've read this twice, and found it interesting and valuable. Okay, so the SSC is dead, but the real meat of this book is Weinberg's discussions of how physicists go about making theories. He also has a very clear way of laying out philosophical discussions."
— Vasha7 (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Unusually well-written and informative…Weinberg is one of the world’s most creative theoretical physicists.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“A splendid introduction to the nature and ambitions of modern physics and a brilliant and…moving essay on its philosophical implications.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“This splendid book is as good reading about physics and physicists as this reviewer can name…clear, honest, and brilliantly instructive.”
— Scientific American -
“Weinberg’s quest…displays a scientist’s sense of wonder and an artist’s love of beauty.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Listening to this audiobook, one feels as if one has entered the classroom of a popular physics professor. With a clear tenor voice, [Langton] never falters in this reading, even when tackling the many difficult physics terms.”
— AudioFile -
“Weinberg writes with great hope and clarity…Other books have been written on this subject, but Weinberg’s is likely to have the highest demand. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal
Dreams of a Final Theory Listener Reviews
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" So far it's good, but I'm reserving complete judgment until the end - unfortunately physics books sometimes start off good and then slow down. Hopefully not this one. "
— Neibaur, 1/9/2014 -
" To Rati... "
— aldozirsov, 12/25/2013 -
" I read a lot of theoretical physics books, and this writer is one of the most coherent there is. "
— Excalibur2099, 8/20/2013 -
" Interesting, often very opinionated view of particle physics and the greater role that physics does (or should) play in the lives of everybody. "
— Eric, 7/15/2013 -
" There are probably better books on this subject. I just haven't found them. "
— Lynn, 7/8/2013 -
" Pretty good book, quick read, little (or no math required) better than a poke in the eye, there are better books on the topic though. "
— Lepton, 11/24/2012 -
" One of the few theoretical physicists with a prose style and a sense of emotional presence. "
— Ethan, 10/3/2012 -
" I mostly agreed with Weinberg's ideas. In terms of his actual writing, though, he's no Carl Sagan. Overall, a worthwhile read, and fairly easy to understand. "
— Daniel, 9/28/2012 -
" This book was exquisite with knowledge and provided me with the upmost knowledge I would need to pursue a wonderful job as a janitor "
— Alex, 4/11/2012 -
" Excellent popular lectures on fundamental physics. "
— Lukasz, 9/21/2011 -
" Excellent book but at times found the concepts hard to grasp "
— Sanjiv, 6/18/2011 -
" I mostly agreed with Weinberg's ideas. In terms of his actual writing, though, he's no Carl Sagan. Overall, a worthwhile read, and fairly easy to understand. "
— Daniel, 4/24/2011 -
" Excellent popular lectures on fundamental physics. "
— Lukasz, 3/27/2011 -
" I read a lot of theoretical physics books, and this writer is one of the most coherent there is. "
— Excalibur2099, 1/9/2011 -
" So far it's good, but I'm reserving complete judgment until the end - unfortunately physics books sometimes start off good and then slow down. Hopefully not this one. "
— Neibaur, 10/3/2008 -
" This book was exquisite with knowledge and provided me with the upmost knowledge I would need to pursue a wonderful job as a janitor "
— Alex, 5/28/2008 -
" One of the few theoretical physicists with a prose style and a sense of emotional presence. "
— Ethan, 9/19/2007
About Steven Weinberg
Steven Weinberg received the 1979 Nobel Prize for Physics for his work in unifying two of the fundamental forces of nature, and in 1991 he was awarded the National Medal of Science at the White House. His earlier prize-winning book The First Three Minutes is the classic account of the “Big Bang,” the modern theory of the origin of the universe. Among his other books are The Theory of Subatomic Particles and Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity. Steven Weinberg is a member of the Royal Society of London as well as the US National Academy of Sciences, and has been awarded numerous honorary degrees, most recently from Columbia University and the Universities of Salamanca and Padua.
About Stuart Langton
Stuart Langton is an award-winning theater, film, and television actor. He has been an audiobook narrator for more than ten years. He lives in New York City.