Beyond the Quantum (Paperback)

by Michael Talbot (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Quantum mechanics describes a universe with physical properties that run completely contrary to everyday experience and intuition. These strange properties cause some people to seek equally strange philosophical theories to explain them. Talbot attempts to link the physical theories with some non-physical experimental results. The latter are, if true, disturbing and fascinating. Among the subjects explored are poltergeists, the possibility of instantaneous communication across great distances, and the nature of the mind and consciousness. This is an interesting combination of physics, metaphysics, and parapsychology. Harold D. Shane, Mathematics Dept., Baruch Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553344803
• ISBN-13: 978-0553344806
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can never go back, once you're read this book., January 27, 2000

By	Monty Nicol (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful Guide to the "New" Physics, February 12, 2004

By	Jed Shlackman (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book covering obscure topics from quantum mechanics, August 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond the Quantum (Hardcover)

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!