Customer Reviews

The Quantum World (Princeton Science Library)

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This is one of the finest introductory physics books I've ever read on the theory of quantum mechanics. It has everything that one needs to get started: a clear & concise mapping of all the essential evidence and ideas that lead implicitly to quantum theory. Many other authors do much the same thing, in their own ways, but The Quantum World does so with a directness that makes the entire work brief & to the point such that the entire book is readable and understandable in only an afternoon of pleasant reading, without gaping holes left to be filled in later. It is also is the only popular work I've ever read that makes plain the role of what are called "operators" in the formal mathematics of the theory, making this book quite unique and indispensible.

"It is not possible in a modest book like this to clarify everything," says Polkinghorne. Although this may be an obvious truism, his modest book is a little dynamo. In this wonderfully concise exposé, Polkinghorne reveals the fundamental tenets of quantum physics. Roger Penrose called this "a delightful book written at a popular level but without any misleading over-simplification." Excellent popularizations from Hawking, Penrose, Davies, and others, followed in the wake of this 1984 volume. These subsequent books generally aspire to a broader focus (i.e., they include discussions of classical physics, cosmology, and metaphysics, topics which Polkinghorne barely touches upon) and to a broader readership. TQW features smaller type (8.5 or 9 pt), less leading/spacing, and few illustrations, making it seem relatively small, however it will take about as long to read as Hawking's Brief History of Time.
Polkinghorne learned quantum theory "straight from the horses mouth, so to speak", which is to say from Paul Dirac, and if you only read a few books on quantum mechanics, this should be one of them. (I will go so far as to say if you only read one it should be this one, but if the reader has no previous foundation in the topic, this volume may be rather tough to digest.) The explanation of the superposition principle is presented with economy and as much clarity as can be brought to such an esotericism. Even if you've no previous knowledge of quantum superpositioning, Polkinghorne will equip you to startle your classically minded friends with Schrödinger's fabled dead/alive cat paradox.
The discussion of the problems with each of the interpretations that have been suggested for quantum theory is very good, as direct and studied as any you will likely find...
Like most mathematical physicists, John Polkinghorne is rapt with the deep mystery at the interface of quantum mechanics and the classical world of Newton and Einstein. Like Feynman, he is more fascinated by what we don't know about the world than impressed with what we, in some sense, do "know." He brings great clarity and honesty to the nature of what we do 'know'...
Conclusions: The more mathematically gifted will want to utilize the appendix but little will be lost to the reader who does not. Here is a soberly studied offering that questions, entertains, and educates in the best tradition of Gamow, Feynman, and Penrose. This outstanding book should be in the library of every science reader, and has this reader's highest recommendation.

"The Quantum World" is a tour-de-force in miniature. Beginning with "Perplexities", and following a brilliant, step by step development, it carries the reader along on a current of thought that inevitably leads to a clear understanding of the fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics and their significance to modern thought in physics. Seldom have I seen mathematical concepts dealt with in a language-only format which renders those concepts so tangible. Dr. Polkinghorne recognizes that his readers are most likely NOT mathematically sophisticated; yet, he does not render Quantum Mechanics in allegorical terms which may tend to be misleading, but carefully describes the nature of mathematical thought, and shows how it is used in formulating and using the theory itself. He also provides rare and extremely valuable insight into the provisional nature of a scientific theory. This book is a priceless gem amidst the voluminous popular literature on physics. I highly recommend it.

There is little argument that quantum mechanics is currently the strangest theory of the physical world. It is hard to conceive of any idea that is more counter to our normal experience. This makes it very difficult to write an effective popular explanation of the principles of quantum mechanics. Polkinghorne almost succeeds in this, but that is not a criticism. Unlike others, he includes equations when they are necessary.
In my opinion, it is not possible to adequately explain quantum mechanics without using an occasional equation. Therefore, I found the explanations in this book better than those in other books that avoid equations like they were coated with a toxic substance.
There is also a bit of occasional humor in the book. The author was a professor of mathematical physics at Cambridge until he resigned to become an ordained priest. That combination certainly makes for a different perspective on quantum mechanics, what many have called the human view into the mind of god. If you are interested in learning the principles of quantum mechanics and do not cringe when you face an equation, then this book will work for you.

It is very compact littel book for introduction to the conecpt of Quantum Physics. The formulations are kept at absolute minimum almost non existent except very fundementals formulas are listed. Book is not for someone who wants to have working knowledge in the field but rather brief compact conceptual introduction to the field. It explains how it all started and was developed. If you are interested in the field and if you already know some what you can read it in one day but the book is very compact. I am puzzeled with the author's statemant, if I took it correctly he states that Planck assumed quanta of energy before his discovery, I thought he used unit of energy to replace integration with summation, like Mathematical trick to eliminate the catashrophy and than realized what it meant for the Physics.Anyway, but be prepared time to time to jump into heavy Mathematics or Physics even though they are not written in conventional formulas but all in words. Author after all his experience certainly knows where people have difficulties and explains those concepts very nicely.

He better than any author I know explains Quanutm physics in a direct, understandable way.