Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics (Paperback)

by Nick Herbert (Author) "When I was six my parents gave me a set of children's book-fourteen orange, black, and gold bound volumes of stories, games, and songs..." (more)
Key Phrases: synthesizer theorem, proxy wave, orthodox ontology, David Bohm, Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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 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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (February 20, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385235690
• ISBN-13: 978-0385235693
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,677 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 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 (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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.

49 of 53 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	Shikambu (Venice, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

"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!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Theodore Erler (Goleta, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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!