"The Quantum World" by J.C. Polkinghorne

Another great, gentle discussion introducing the layperson to the beautiful subject, that is, Quantum Physics.

In everyday conversations, whenever someone mutters the word "quantum," a high-degree of intelligence is automatically assumed. It's no question because aside from the mathematical formulas required to understand the mechanics of it, the subject also scratches the surfaces of philosophy and the overall comparison to our reality. While other authors have received mixed reviews attempting to write about a difficult subject to the average person, perhaps J.C. Polkinghorne may be the one we've been looking for this whole time.

A thin book that could be read in no time, author Polkinghorne has done a remarkable job in thinking about the reader before presenting his knowledge in this tough but curiously popular subject among the curious. In other words, what you get is a presentable, almost conversation-like, explanation about the basics of Quantum Mechanics (QM), what its purpose is and what it serves in the real world. There are instances that the math is presented, but are explained gently—the variables used to calculate, what they mean and a couple of famous equations. Even if that may trigger fear and disinterests to certain readers, Polkinghorne makes sure the reader doesn't stop and put away the book. Yes, he keeps his promises throughout.

For those who are fully experienced in physics, are a physics major and/or is currently working as a physicist of various sorts, this book will be too basic and you won't find anything new or groundbreaking. I'd say this is perfect for those venturing into the subject for the first time and/or hopes to pursue a career involving the microscopic world.

A little note from someone who read this book: Before reading this book, or doing research on QM, if you've never been exposed to the subject previously, do so with an open mind. If anyone has told you, before you took on such subject, I'll say the same thing they may have said: The world involving atoms, photons and electrons are certainly strange and have a behavioral pattern that isn't realistic in the physical world. Know that some things aren't the way it seems, and while it's possible to master how things work, nobody—and I mean nobody, literally—knows why the atoms work in such way. Polkinghorne will gladly do the explaining as you read the book because, well, electrons, let alone the atoms that make up the Universe and everything in it, including you and me, don't seem to comprehend in the same way as real-world physics—classical physics. You may find it's something of a "fairytale," but it seems to be true. This "weirdness" ought to challenge your imagination, which should enable you to see the world differently, but in a better sense. Famous physicist Albert Einstein had quite a say about the quantum world during its growing discovery. What did he think, and what was his take? I'll let you find out what he thought.

Having shopped for books up and down, and for almost a decade, I'm not sure why I didn't find this title earlier. You're looking at the most gentle, friendly yet non-intimidating shot at a subject written in an approachable style. Perhaps this was the title that did the best job in simplifying a tough subject that many people seem to want to know more about, thanks to pop culture references to Erwin Schrödinger's famous thought experiment, Schrödinger's Cat and more.

While I find this book to be a competitor to In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, this is possibly the gentler of the two.

This is the very first Princeton Science Library book we have reviewed! Thank you, Princeton Press, and thank you Polkinghorne! We strongly recommend this book!

Kris Caballero

Founder of KCU Network and KCU Plus, Kris has been writing since he managed a personal blog made back in late 2005. Officially back to doing computer programming (software development) and video production, Kris enjoys reading books on Mathematics, Quantum Computing, Philosophy, playing old video/DOS games, digital video archiving, and listening to sports, public radio and classical music.

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