Customer Reviews

Beyond the Quantum

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This book is a carefully organized and well-explained safari into the amazing world of quantum physics. I would sum this book up by quoting Talbot himself: "It is one of the great ironies of our century that as reductionist biologists were slowly trying to purge all mention of consciousness from their understanding of neurophysiological processes, physicists were at the same time uncovering compelling evidence that the mind is not only necessary, but may be integral to our understanding of the physical universe."

This book is no mere excursion into some otherworldly fantasy. When you finish this book, your world, although not radically changed, is undeniably altered. In one example, Talbot uses the familiar illustrations of a woman, a blocky, diffuse illustration that's not at first obvious. Turn the page, and the reader sees the illustration in more detail-- it is a woman. Turn the page back, and the formerly incomprehensible image can be clearly seen to be that same woman. This book will affect the reader's reality the same way. Close the book, and the reader can't help but think of the world on slightly different terms.

Of all the books in my library, this book is easily the best example of an author taking a wide range of potentially incomprehensible subjects and making them clearly understandable. Talbot writes with the conviction of someone who is himself as interested in his subject as the reader is, but his approach nonetheless remains objective throughout. I highly recommend it.

Having previously read Talbot's Holographic Universe, I just happened upon a used copy of this now out-of-print classic, Beyond the Quantum. This book very clearly and provocatively explores the science and the theoretical implications that are developing in the fields of physics and consciousness. From Bohm to Sheldrake to the Eastern mystics, Talbot has written an excellent overview of this mind-expanding field of study. In 2004 this book still seems fresh with ideas and insight, and explains things clearly for a general audience, not just those with a scientific background.

This book is incredible. Talbot discusses everything from quantum mechanics to poltergeists, to social behavior studies like the 100th monkey. He ties in physics theories with ythe global mind and explains in a way that we mere mortals can grasp. read in the library, now I must own!

This is an incredible book. Easy to read and still fresh and informative. With over 200 books and tapes in my library, this one sets a fundamental standard connecting the metaphysical with the scientific. This kind of connection is just a metaphor for what the world needs more of - a holistic, open-minded grasp of our inner and outer world(s). All the good-bad left-right black-white differences (that seem so important) melt when the insights in this book show that we are at the doorstep of Star Trek-level (and beyond) possibilities. Enjoy!

I thought that this was a wonderfully done book. It is thought provoking and really brings to light a good number of observations done by various scientific communities. Talbot was wise to include his sources. i found them invaluable.

This is an excellent "starter" book for people interested in quantum physics. Spelled out in very plain, understandable language for the new comer. Highly recommended!!

Look. It's always nice when someone writes about complex issues and is able to make them comprehensible by those who haven't gotten their Ph.D in physics. But, as Einstein is attributed to have said, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." Alas, when describing certain phenomena, "not one bit simpler" usually means "must still have some really hard math." If it doesn't, the book doesn't suddenly become magically wrong, but it starts being an inexact science when attempting to convey meaning -- just the sort of thing that "New Agey/New Science" folks are so fond of, because it lets speculation run with relative abandon.

Exactly like, say, this book. It's extremely well-written, but the author clearly has an agenda, and, regardless of topic, when an author has an agenda, "cause" and "effect" can suddenly start appearing when other rationales might better explain what's really going on.

This book has been reviewed by the Skeptical Enquirer, but, alas, I don't have the issue on-hand. Feel free to hunt it down at your local library, however: Vol. XII No. 2.