The Matter Myth: Dramatic Discoveries that Challenge Our Understanding of Physical Reality Reissue Edition

by Paul Davies (Author),‎ John Gribbin (Author)

22 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0743290913

ISBN-10: 0743290917

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In this sweeping survey, acclaimed science writers Paul Davies and John Gribbin provide a complete overview of advances in the study of physics that have revolutionized modern science. From the weird world of quarks and the theory of relativity to the latest ideas about the birth of the cosmos, the authors find evidence for a massive paradigm shift. Developments in the studies of black holes, cosmic strings, solitons, and chaos theory challenge commonsense concepts of space, time, and matter, and demand a radically altered and more fully unified view of the universe.

The Matter Myth: Dramatic Discoveries that Challenge Our Understanding of Physical Reality

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Recent breakthroughs in physics are causing a revolution in how scientists view the universe, according to Davies ( The Cosmic Blueprint ) and Gribbin ( In Search of the Big Bang ). The authors survey the discoveries that have caused this shift from the traditional mechanistic worldview (which sees the universe as "a gigantic purposeless machine") to a less rigidly determined one that includes chaos, black holes, antimatter and even the possibility of multiple universes. They explore how it would feel to be swallowed by a black hole (one would be stretched and squeezed before being crushed into nonexistence) and why going through a wormhole, a kind of space tunnel, would allow one to travel backward in time. The authors explain why cosmic strings (which may stretch across the universe and outweigh galaxies) could fit into a single atom and how space can be curved. This accessible work also examines fundamental questions such as how the universe's "big bang" origin probably sealed its fate (it will end in a reverse process known as the "big crunch") and whether time is real or simply an illusion.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Wormholes, cosmic strings, quarks, relativity, quantum mechanics--Davis and Gribbin explain all the basic elements of the universe in a comprehensive summary of modern physics written on the layperson's level. Beginning with Isaac Newton's conception of the universe as a great cosmic clock, they follow the growth of materialistic determinism, where all events were assumed to result from absolutely determinable interactions of inert particles. This idea of matter turned out to be a myth, shattered early in this century by the uncertainties of relativity and quantum physics. The authors unseat materialism from its exalted position and along the way discuss chaos, the origin of the universe, multidimensional spacetime, evolution, the Gaia hypothesis, and extraterrestrial life. Very readable, with mathematics kept to a minimum. An essential volume for anyone wanting to understand today's physics. Recommended for all libraries.
-Doug Kranch, Ambassador Coll. Lib., Big Sandy, Tex.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product details

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reissue edition (October 23, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743290917
ISBN-13: 978-0743290913
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 22 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #393 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Relativity
- #2009 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Physics

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May 16, 2008

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I agree with the majority of reviewers that this is an excellent book, making some very difficult concepts understandable to the layman. The book was published in 1992, and I bought the October 2007 edition. It is a pity that so much data in the book are outdated: Dark matter is hardly mentioned, and there is no reference to dark energy; the age of the universe is given as 'about 15 billion years', and I quote from page 174: 'The expansion rate (of the universe) is inexorably slowing.' Unfortunately, outdated concepts like these undermine the credibility of the book on the whole. I hope the authors review the book soon.

0Comment 61 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

highly recommend to those with some background in physics

June 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

welll written, comprehensive, highly recommend to those with some background in physics, astronomy, or cosmology. Not an easy read but an important one.

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A very lucid approach to a difficult subject.

March 30, 2001

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I'm not a math-physics type person really. More of a math-physics wanna-be! Because I have more of a verbal/visual than a math mind, I avail myself of every opportunity to read books on quantum and relativity physics that are written for that type of reader. Two of my on-line friends, Steve and Roger, both recommended Paul Davis' books, and I found Matter Myth an extraordinary example of the genre.
Davis and his coauthor, John Gribbin, begin their book with a discussion of Newtonian physics and the 17th Century concept of a "clockwork universe." In this approach to the physical world, every event in the universe might conceivably be predicted given a thorough knowledge of initial conditions. The success with which Newtonian physics described the behavior of the macroscopic world gave rise to a philosophy of materialism that gripped the thinking of succeeding centuries. Davis and Gribbin see the rise of relativity and quantum physics, with the concepts of chaos, uncertainty and virtual particles, as an antidote for the stultifying effects of grim determinism. The attempts to make the two theories compliment one another and the efforts to unify the four primary forces in nature (strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravity) in an all encompassing theory are viewed as setting the stage for a universe where free will in fact has some place.
The book also discusses the string theory and small particle physics, both of which help cosmologists gain some insight into the beginning of the universe, its likely history, and its ultimate end. It also discusses some of the theories regarding parallel universes and anti-universes. The authors also discuss time and its nature, but the interested reader might prefer Davis' book About Time, which goes into the subject in greater depth.
Although The Matter Myth is listed as a religious apologia, in fact there is very little about religion or god in the book. The discussion of multiple words in association with the uncertainty principle and the famous Shrodinger's Cat thought experiment certainly leaves it open to assume the need for an ultimate "observer," but the authors themselves seem to adhere to the scientific position that such an observer is non-testable and therefore outside the realm of scientific investigation. They certainly do not espouse any particular religious outlook.
This is an altogether engrossing volume for anyone interested in the subject. It's very readable; enough so that even someone with very little knowledge of the topic would be able to understand the clearly written descriptions of the scientific concepts. At least three people at work, two nurses and a nursing assistant, after a casual perusal of the contents asked to read the book when I've finished it.

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Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Fischer

June 10, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

An excellent description of the unknown physical world.

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October 9, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent, thoughtful conclusions drawn from the latest scientific discoveries, especially from physics.

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Cynthia Sue Larson

Exploring the Postmechanistic Paradigm

February 22, 2000

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Davies and Gribbin succeed in clarifying some of the most intriguing questions known to mankind, such as "How did spacetime come into existence?", "How can matter appear out of nowhere?", "Does the future already exist?", and "How does spacetime curve?" They delve into fascinating reasons why your `now' and my `now' are not necessarily the same thing, and many other exciting implications for our everyday lives from quantum physics. What I love most about THE MATTER MYTH is the way it helps free our thinking from the mechanical, machine-mindedness which has for so long dominated western thinking... as its authors eloquently assert that materialism is dead. The post-mechanistic paradigm is here.

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Antonio Alfonso Faus

The Matter Myth

May 23, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The book is a very good example of an excellent scientific popularization. A similar book updated to this year 2010 would be most welcome and needed.

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January 4, 2004

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Simply an awesome book. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because some explanations are not as straightforward as they should be. Overall: VERY GOOD!

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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Most recent customer reviews

Jean-Michel. Gabet

If matter is a myth, what is it?

June 2016. This book is hopelessly out of date, written 20 years ago, which is a long time given how modern physics moves along.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Intelligent design is not a possibility.

I threw this book away because he rejected the intelligent design of the universe as a possibility. In his former books which were very good he wrote that intelligent design is a...Read more

Published on July 20, 2015

Extremely interesting book!!! Paul Davies' books are must reads for everyone!!!

Extremely interesting book that is written so that the layman can understand it. Shipped promptly!!! I highly RECOMMEND this seller!!Read more

Published on May 27, 2014

Frederick R. Bauer

what do physicists believe?

I'm writing another book dealing with that question. Paul
Davies is great. Davies raises a question that goes to the great debate between Einstein and Bohr regarding the very...Read more

Published on January 24, 2014

albert c. bender

"Educational Material"

BY ALBERT C. BENDER, AUTHOR OF, "YOU ARE FOREVER IN TIME".
The matter myth clearly explains to me, all about the subject written, and the authors knowledge and intellect on...Read more

Published on May 3, 2010

Great Primer On The Physics of Our Universe

Mr. Davies keeps it as down to earth as you can with these advanced physics concepts. It is easy to understand and very stimulating if you need a good 'thinking' read.

Published on April 6, 2010

Very easy to understand and almost always interesting. If you like physics at all, this is a great overview of everything you want to know.

Published on May 2, 2008

The reality myth

Just before his death, Albert Einstein attempted to console a grieving widow by reminding her that only in the illusory now did her spouse fail to continue to exist.Read more

Published on December 7, 2007

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