Dreams of a Final Theory

Written by:
Steven Weinberg
Narrated by:
Stuart Langton

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
29
Narrator
1
Release Date
April 2009
Duration
9 hours 28 minutes
Summary
This is the story of a grand scientific quest: the quest for a unifying theory of nature—one that can explain forces as different as the cohesion inside the atom and the gravitational tug between the sun and the earth. Writing with dazzling elegance and clarity, Nobel Prize–winning physicist Steven Weinberg retraces the steps that have led modern scientists from relativity theory and quantum mechanics to the notion of superstrings and the idea that our universe may coexist with others. Along the way, he voices the questions that are always present: Why does each explanation of the way nature works point to other, deeper explanations? Why are the best theories not only logical but beautiful? And what implications will a final theory have for our philosophy and religious faith?

Intellectually daring, rich in anecdote and aphorism, Dreams of a Final Theory launches us into a new cosmos and helps us make sense of what we find there.
Reviews
Profile Avatar
Trey Causey

I went into this book with an open mind having read the other reviews, but I just could not make it past the third disc. I spend over 50% of my free time reading science related books (non-fiction) and watching science related television, so even I was surprised that I could not bring myself to enjoy this book as much as the author enjoyed writing it. I'm sure some people will enjoy it, it's just not for me.

Profile Avatar
Murray Schlussel

Very ramifying in concepts dealt with. Demands a terrific knowledge in modern physics. I was a physics/math major some decades ago and found it difficult to follow much of what he discusses. Good writing style.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Highly technical and is not written for the layman. I'd pass unless you have a college background in the material.

Profile Avatar
DAS

Dust off that physics degree before tackling this one. However, if you have some awareness of college jr. - sr. level physics, this book is a joy to listen to. Weinberg tells you right up front that he isn't going to bother with physics lessons on the many topics he covers. Accepting those conditions, the reader gets to listen to the thoughts of one of our time's leading physicists as he explores the "why" of our physical world. Why should the universe be governed by laws that are elegant and beautiful? What does it mean when a scientist says a natural law is beautiful? This is a wonderful mixture of science fact, science theory, and philosophy.

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$19.95
View Cart