Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics [Paperback]

Nick Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 20, 1987

This clearly explained layman's introduction to quantum physics is an accessible excursion into metaphysics and the meaning of reality.  Herbert exposes the quantum world and the scientific and philosophical controversy about its interpretation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This clearly explained layman's introduction to quantum physics is an accessible excursion into metaphysics and the meaning of reality. Herbert exposes the quantum world and the scientific and philosophical controversy about its interpretation.

From the Inside Flap

This clearly explained layman's introduction to quantum physics is an accessible excursion into metaphysics and the meaning of reality.  Herbert exposes the quantum world and the scientific and philosophical controversy about its interpretation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (February 20, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385235690
• ISBN-13: 978-0385235693
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, but with a reservation. December 28, 2008

By Interested Reader TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

I recommend this book, but with the reservation that the book should only be considered as an adjunct to other books on the subject of the meaning of quantum theory. I will have more to say about this later, along with recommendations of the books that I think should be read in order to get the most out of this current book.

This book discusses the implications of quantum theory and why they have led prominent physicists to believe that there may not be any deep reality, or that reality only exists when an intelligent observer is looking, or that all things are interrelated in a manner that allows "action at a distance" to travel beyond the speed of light (actually instantaneously), or that there are many parallel worlds continuously being created. All of these ideas appear to be straight out of science fiction, but they are in actuality concepts developed by some of the most renowned physicists of the 20th century. Read this book to see why this "science fiction" may indeed be science fact. The book has an overview of quantum theory, but this overview is, in my opinion, presented much more clearly in other books (to be discussed). The ideas of quantum reality are, however, presented in a more organized and focused manner than in other books devoted to this subject. I especially enjoyed the discussion of the uncertainty principal based on the wave equation as opposed to that of matrix mechanics, which I was already familiar with.

I almost did not read this book because of the way that it is presented. I looked it over several times before buying it. I had the following concerns, discussed below, which were largely unwarranted. I mention them here because the readers of this review may have similar concerns....
1) The subtitle of the book is "An excursion into metaphysics and the meaning of reality". This book is not a book about the metaphysics of reality, in the sense that it is not a philosophy text; rather it is a physics book, based on the work of the most outstanding physicists of the 20th century.
2) Nowhere on the cover, or inside of the book, does it say who Nick Herbert (the author) is and what his qualification to write this book might be. This generally means that the publisher is afraid that if you knew more about the author you would not buy the book, or that the stated author is a pseudonym. A quick search of the Internet shown that while Nick Herbert is not a theoretical physicist of worldwide renown, he has a PhD in physics, has taught the subject, and has had a significant industrial career.
3) The book was published in 1985 and may thus be out-of-date. This is, in my opinion, not a severe problem because the questions regarding the meaning of quantum reality have been around since the 1930's and have not yet been resolved. Also, the book includes the experimental evidence supporting Bell's theorem, which is not included is some books on quantum reality that were published at about the same time. Bell's theorem, and its implications, are the subjects of the last part of the book, so the inclusion of this experimental data is very important as it lends experimental support for the strange predictions of quantum theory, reducing the level of speculation inherent in these predictions. While I liked this treatment of Bell's theorem, I think that Brian Greene's treatment in "The Fabric of the Cosmos" is even better. Greene also provides a much better treatment of Einstein's "EPR" criticism of Quantum Theory and what it implies.
4) Early in the book there is a list of 6 versions of quantum reality that reads like bad science fiction. This gave me the false impression that the book was more "new age" than "new physics". The versions of quantum reality are based on physics, which are described in a general and largely non-mathematical manner.

As mentioned, I have a significant reservation, one that caused me to give this book 4 stars, instead of 5. I found the discussion of the "measurement problem", which at the heart of the book and has led to the myriad of ideas regarding quantum reality, to be somewhat muddled and, from my perspective, somewhat incomprehensible. Herbert uses the idea of polarization to define the "measurement problem", whereas I find the description of this problem based on two-slit interference experiments to be much more understandable. In fact, had I not already been familiar with this approach I would probably have had to put the book down and would have gone on to read something else. I would recommend that anyone reading this book should first read Gribbin's "In Search of Schrodingers Cat", Feynman's "Six Easy Pieces" (the chapter on quantum behavior) and Greene's "The Fabric of the Cosmos". All three give highly understandable treatments of the "measurement problem", and Gribbin and Greene provided better treatments of EPR and Bell's theorem. Gribbin also gives a very concise historical presentation of the development of quantum theory. I would also recommend Gribbin's "Schrodingers Kittens and the Search for Reality" as it brings his other book up-to-date (at least to 1995), particularly in that it includes the experimental support for Bell's theorem, as does Greene's book. (Gribbin's earlier book does not include this, even though it was written at about the same time as Herbert's book.) I also recommend Feynman's QED as it presents quantum theory in a way that avoids many of the conundrums resulting from the other views of quantum theory. Herbert discuses QED, but in a very cursory manner and does not discuss the fact that it avoids some of the pitfalls inherent in the other approaches (but introduces come of its own, which Herbert does not even mention). Without the above-mentioned background, I am afraid that the reader may become quite lost.

I recommend this book to college students studying quantum mechanics. The book complements the more problem solving aspects of quantum theory, dwelling on the deeper implications of what is being presented. Some advance high school student may also get a lot from this book. I would not, however, recommend it to people who expect a "new age" philosophical discourse. They will be disappointed and unless they also are reasonable well versed in physics they will likely find the book somewhat impossible to follow in all but the most superficial manner. Read more ›

105 of 112 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quantum - The dreams that stuff is made of. May 17, 2000

By David Gottner

Format:Paperback

This book was the easiest of all of the many popularizaitons of quantum theory for me to understand. Nick presents the material clearly, yet without "dumbing down" the physics.

He shows how the strangeness of the quantum world is implicit in the ordinary experiments of physicists. (what he calls the "Cinderalla Effect.") The best thing about this book is that the main thrust of the book is speculation on the nature of deep reality, without it being a "New Age" treatment like the "Tao of Physics" and other books. Yes, reality may be affected by consciousness, he says, but only in certain contexts and only for dynamic attributes of particles.

The book ends with a discussion with Bell's theorem that reality itself is nonlocal (unmediated, unmitigated, and immediate action-at-a-distance forces acting upon objects.) He explains that this nonlocality exists even if quantum theory eventually turns out to be false.

The quantum world is strange and mysterious enough without "New Age" explanations added unto it, as you will discover when you read this book.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Nick! January 30, 2000

By Theodore Erler

Format:Paperback

This book is, without a doubt, one of the best nontechnical physics books I have read. As a kid in high school, this book was my first introduction to the mysterious world of quantum physics. I was amazed that, despite my technical illiteracy, Herbert gave me both insight into the inner mathematical workings of quantum mechanics, and into the deeply troubling conceptual problems that this radical theory forces upon us. Even today, as a graduate student in theoretical physics, I have a more profound appreciation for quantum mysteries than any of my classmates, simply because I read this book in highschool. I would recommend this book for the layperson and the quantum feild theorist alike!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars clearly weird August 28, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If your aiming to simply understand as much as possible about quantum theory by reading one popular science book, then look no further. This book deals with all important theories and experiments in a clear way, without omitting the more difficult stuff. I have also read "taking the quantum leap" by Fred Alan Wolf but find it incredibly unclear because of its reluctance to show real physics. Talking about quantum physics without getting into too much detail for the coffee table reader makes it fragmented and obscure. Wolf favors vague talks of wonders over the step by step explanation of experiments that lead you to the heart of the problem. Herbert made me understand quantum reality as much as possible by using clear text with clear diagrams, explaining enough physical detail for me to appreciate the wonders of quantum reality. And yes... I'm still wondering. Enjoy!

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get ready to sacrifice your convictions to physical laws! April 9, 2002

By James

Format:Paperback

"For if quantumstuff is all there is and you don't understand quantumstuff, your ignorance is complete." pg. 40

This book delves into the realm of accuracy in certainty and certainty in randomness and beyond! Afraid of math? Don't worry, this book does a superb job of explaining the subject in terms a layman can understand. Is probability an optimists way of expressing uncertainty, or is uncertainty really random, or is random just a term to conceal our ignorance? You'll get the answer. Very weird!

It explains very succinctly the two most important waveforms in science, sine waves and spherical harmonics. Thought color was an inate attribute? Wrong! Learn the 5-steps to take to find a attribute of a quon using quantum theory! You'll think you're Steven Hawkings after reading this great book! Now I can say with confidence that DNA is to genetic code what a waveform attribute is to cosmic code! What the hell did I just say? You'll know after reading this book! Become a genius (or at least look like one) in a week!

Even if you don't like scienctific "stuff", you'll love this book just for its weirdness! You'll see why possibility squared equals probability! heh heh... You'll also find out if a tree really makes a noise if it falls in a forest when you're not there! :)

Wondering about the finer aspects of the photoelectric effect? It's in here. Why does a camera lens look purplish? It's in here too! What is reality? ... :) If you thought Bell's Theorem was weird, you haven't seen nothin' yet! There is nothing as weird as quantum theory. You won't want to believe it, but "quantum theory boldly exposes itself to potential fasification on a thousand diffent fronts. Its record is impressive: quantum theory passes EVERY test we [physicists and philosphers alike] can devise.... After over 60 years of play, this theory is still batting a thousand." pg. 94

Buy this book and enjoy! That is... if the book is real! Read more ›