That are geared for the layperson? Back in the 80’s I realy ejoyed books like “dancing wu li masters” and such. I took a look at two local bookstores but found nothing. I would be very thankfull for a nod in the right direction.
Thanks
You mean a real book on quantum mechanics and not one those philosophical new age books claiming to be about quantum mechanics.
Yup, I like the nuts and bolts approach and the last few books I read were by heinz pagles and only left my wanting a lot more.
It’s somewhat dated now in terms of the fate of Fermilab and the SSC, but I have always been tremendously fond of The God Particle by Leon Lederman.
Also, Richard Rhodes’ Making of the Atomic Bomb has marvellous history of the development of quantum theory, in loving detail and with all the personalities fleshed out, throughout.
John Gribbin’s book In search of Schroedinger’s Cat is pretty good. It was written in the early eighties, but is mostly still relevant, I think. Warning: IIRC He is really into the “many-worlds” idea, and comes close to presenting it as fact, which it isn’t.
J.C. Polkinghorne wrote The Quantum World which is very very good, but dry and difficult. (Polkinghorne was a student of Dirac. He left physics for the Anglican priesthood.)
Brian Greene’sThe Elegant Universe relates Quantum Mechanics and Relativity to the new, controversial, idea of strings.
I second The Elegant Universe. I find it very easy to follow and understand.
I’m glad to see you recommending In search of Schroedinger’s Cat, that was the next one on my list.
I am currently reading Who’s Afraid of Schrodinger’s Cat : All The New Science Ideas You Need To Keep Up With The New Thinking. It is not strictly Quantum Mechanics, it branches into Chaos Theory and Relativity and others and is in the form of short essays. But, I am enjoying it so far.