Achilles in the Quantum Universe: The Definitive History of Infinity [Hardcover]

Richard Morris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805047794 | ISBN-13: 978-0805047790 | Publication Date: May 1997 | Edition: 1st

Acclaimed science writer Richard Morris guides the reader on a literate and clearly written tour of the efforts to make sense of the mind-bending concept of the infinite. Starting with simple logical puzzles and progressing to the latest cosmological theories, he shows us how this very problem helped spawn groundbreaking theories such as relativity and quantum mechanics. Finally, we see how the possibility of infinite universes may hold answers to some of humankind's most fundamental questions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The subtitle of this work claims just a bit more than is delivered. After a brief consideration of the ancient Greeks' and modern mathematicians' view of infinity (and infinitesimals) in theoretical physics and 20th-century cosmology, experienced science writer Morris (Cosmic Questions, LJ 11/1/93) offers a smooth-flowing account of some current ideas that will stretch his readers' imagination. Commendably, he is always careful to define all new terms as he introduces them into the discussion. Though at times the historical account is somewhat oversimplified, on balance, this is a good introduction to some difficult theoretical concepts. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.?Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The idea of the infinite has baffled thinkers since ancient times; now a top science writer tries to shed light on the concept. Morris (Cosmic Questions, 1993, etc.) begins by noting the paradoxes that arise when infinite numbers are put through standard arithmetic processes: Half of infinity remains infinite, and infinity minus 30 trillion is still infinite. Precisely because of its tendency to produce paradox, infinity has always had a shady reputation. George Cantor, the first mathematician to seriously study it, went mad. It was the suggestion of infinite worlds, rather than the heliocentric model of the solar system, that got Giordano Bruno burnt at the stake. And Newton went to great pains to find a way to explain his newly invented calculus without resorting to the infinitesimals (infinitely tiny numbers) on which its operations depend; he never quite managed the trick. Morris spends a good deal of time showing how astronomers and cosmologists have dealt with the growth of the observable universe and with the implication that the actual universe might really be infinite. Much of our modern picture of the cosmos arises from the fact that certain equations in Einstein's general relativity theory produce infinite answers--``singularities''--when the right values are plugged in. From these troublesome infinities eventually arose the concepts of the Big Bang and black holes, both of which are now considered all but confirmed by observational evidence. Morris is a clear and lively writer, with a penchant for down-to-earth examples--a useful asset in dealing with a subject so notoriously difficult. A good survey not only of infinity, but of the scientific revolutions that have grown out of our attempts to grapple with the concept. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805047794
• ISBN-13: 978-0805047790
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,570,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Achilles in the Quantam Universe, January 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Achilles in the Quantum Universe: The Definitive History of Infinity (Hardcover)

When I picked up "Achilles in the Quantam Universe" it was soley for a school project. We were assigned to read a physics related book and "A Brief History of Time" wasn't at the library. I found, though, that once I picked it up I couldn't stop reading. Not only is it written so that anyone can understand it, Morris adds humor, anecdotes and footnotes that keep the reader immersed in the amazing accounts of historical events. Starting with Cantor, Plato and Zeno, the book moves through the discoveries of some of the world's greatest physicists. It focuses on the history of the concept of infinity, but while doing so, explains such things as the development of the idea of an electron and the charting of our solar system. He makes Galileo, Newton and Einstein seem real, as if he was a friend telling of thier experiments. The book is informative, fun and an amazing account of the history of "infinity", and I would recommend it to anyone.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity!, June 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Achilles in the Quantum Universe: The Definitive History of Infinity (Hardcover)

Where other science writers leave many ideas murky and impenetrable, Morris has a knack for making everything clear. As the review excerpt on one of his previous books said, he can explain Stephen Hawking better than Hawking does. In this book, he explains the concept of infinity, beginning with Zeno's paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise, and concluding with black holes and the possibility of an infinite number of universe. When I looked at the table ot contents, I thought, "I'll never be able to understand all this." But I did.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I had this book before taking calculus, November 28, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Yakima, Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Achilles in the Quantum Universe: The Definitive History of Infinity (Hardcover)

As a lay reader who's interest in math and quantum physics is limited to the "gee whiz" aspects of science, this book is a must read. There are great mind twisters and insights into the reality of math and physics. I was blown away by the discussion about calculus. Wish I had the insights when I flunked the class....may have helped!