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Average Customer Rating:

Quantum Theory CAN hurt you - but you're OK in Mr Chown's hands.

Customer Rating:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quantum Theory CAN hurt you - but you're OK in Mr Chown's hands., 23 Nov 2008 By A Reader (North West England) - See all my reviews I've come across quantum mechanics before a couple of times, and it has always been a big puzzle. However, since it seems to keep coming up all the time, I've always wished I knew more - and having read this book I do! This book is very user-friendly. It tells you about quantum mechanics in ways anyone can understand and makes it interesting and appealing. Quantum Mechanics doesn't seem like anything else - not like 'old' physics at all. It is weird and astonishing, for instance time is variable, light bends, photons can be in two places, and sometimes one photon can 'tell' what a partner is doing. I don't think I shall ever really understand quantum mechanics but through reading this book I know it won't hurt me, and I feel happy with what I do know...and when I see TV programmes like Einstein and Eddington I know what they're talking about which makes me feel extremely clever. I now feel brave enough to try Richard Feynman. Quantum Theory is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

The complicated, uncomplicated

Customer Rating:

Firstly the title mentions quantum theory. However, this is also a book that towards the end inevitably brings the reader into relativity. This is a most logical conclusion as the last part of the puzzle in quantum theory is a quantum theory of gravity! Now please listen.... I've read my fair share of books on quantum theory and relativity. As a physics student these two enormously important theories can be very hard to grasp but are essential to understand if one wishes to pursue a career in physics. But, if the reader is not interested in a scientific career and is simply interested in these subjects, then there is not a better book anywhere that will help the reader understand the concepts of these two great achievements of science. An utterly awesome book for anyone who wants to learn and understand the concepts.

Pointless

Customer Rating:

I was very dissapointed with this book but it serves me right as I bought it based on the hype. I cringed with just about every hack joke or wittism he tried. If you think you'll learn something even mildly serious about QM or are seeking painless enlightenment, this book is pointless even within its genre - read Feynmans QED and Six not so Easy Peaces (which are, really, once explained by Feynman.)These two simple books (with just a bit more of well worthwhile effort) you'll find will round rings around Chown. If you want enlightenment on Cosmology go for Asimov. If you know something about QM already you'll spot and cringe at the often mixed-up attemps to explain many things. The cartoon style cover does this book good justice though.

Beginers guide	Customer Rating:
I loved this book! As a non-scientist I still found this book easy to follow and could not put it down and got through the book in a day. Each part to the book starts of with a thought provoking scenario which filled me with exictment to ensure I read every word in the following chapters. A must read for anyone who has heard of quantum theory.

Science beautifully explained (and he writes kids' fiction too!)

Customer Rating:

Did you know that Mr Chown also writes children's fiction? I was curious to see what it was like so I gave it a go. "Felicity Frobisher & the Three-Headed Aldeberan Dust Devil". Check it out. It's funny and very silly - reminded me of Douglas Adams and "The Magic Roundabout" (showing my age!). It also appeals to children - mine loved it - and adults too. It's weird that Mr Chown also writes popular scince. When I picked up "Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You", I was completely ignorant of quantum theory (and relativity - the otherr subject he covers). But I was immediately hooked. This is mind-blowing stuff - and brilliantly explained. What next Mr Chown, after pop science and kids' fiction? Maybe a book on gardening!!!