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Our Mathematical Universe
- My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality
- Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
- Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
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Our Mathematical Universe
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Summary
Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy, and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last - this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
“Tegmark offers a fascinating exploration of multiverse theories, each one offering new ways to explain ‘quantum weirdness’ and other mysteries that have plagued physicists, culminating in the idea that our physical world is ‘a giant mathematical object’ shaped by geometry and symmetry. Tegmark’s writing is lucid, enthusiastic, and outright entertaining, a thoroughly accessible discussion leavened with anecdotes and the pure joy of a scientist at work.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“Lively and lucid, the narrative invites general readers into debates over computer models for brain function, over scientific explanations of consciousness, and over prospects for finding advanced life in other galaxies. Though he reflects soberly on the perils of nuclear war and of hostile artificial intelligence, Tegmark concludes with a bracingly upbeat call for scientifically minded activists who recognize a rare opportunity to make our special planet a force for cosmic progress. An exhilarating adventure for bold readers.” (Bryce Cristensen, Booklist, starred review)
“Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions at the fertile interface of physics and philosophy: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark—one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists—guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it’s right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered.” (Brian Greene, physicist, author of The Elegant Universe and The Hidden Reality)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jack worsfold
- 18-12-20
Max Tegmarks style is wonderful
If you know of Max Tegmark he has always been a bit of a black sheep in the worlkd of theoretical physics. Here he uses math to provide concepts of how our universe really is. A lot of the bok talks about the differing types of multiverse and whilst there is a fair amount of supposition in the book it really works. Tegmark is childlike in his joy about physics and its infectious. A great read and very funny too. Great Performance by Rob Shapiro too! spot on....
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- M
- 06-02-15
Enlightening, entertaining and easy to understand
I have read and listened to many books on cosmology and quantum physics this is the one that hooked me the most. Not only does he explain current understanding of the universe but also the existential implications for human kind and our perceptions of this reality.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-02-22
superb
just a wonderfully open minded yet scientifically viable view on reality. max Tegmark has long been a favourite physicists of mine
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- D B.
- 17-08-18
An eloquent teacher of weird stuff
I wish I had a physics lecturer of this author’s capabilities. I have read and listened to many quantum publications over the years and still consider myself a novice in the subject. This chap explains theories that are out there on the fringe of the quantum scientific field with ease and with copious quantities of everyday language, topped off entertaining wit.
I have rarely enjoyed a book so much, or learned as much as I have from this one. The subject matter is expressed constantly using well understood analogies, mid chapter summaries and finished off with “Bottom line” reviews.
The book takes you on a journey over scientific mountains, but you climb each one with the goal set, subject matter and a constant mix of first and developed principals just where they are needed, all set against a back drop story of the author’s experiences in the scientific community.
Cannot put it down, and keep going back to listen to whole sections again, prompted by thought provoking concepts encountered later on.
The sheer passion and enthusiasm of the author is infectious.
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- M. Young
- 23-03-21
Superb book, perfectly narrated.
This is now ranks with The Fabric of Reality as one the most influential books in my life.
The narrator is perfect. This is important as I keep replaying sections I find challenging.
The author may be surprised in the coming years at the impact he has made in this universe.
I hope to facilitate some of that surprise.
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- Fawad
- 25-07-23
Absolutely Amazing book
It is one of my favourite book I highly recommend it is written by very professional person and will learn a lot from it
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- Anonymous User
- 02-06-19
breathtaking!
Amazing book,
great narrator and incredible storyline, he is very honest about what is widely accepted and what is "uncharted territory". As someone who loves mathematics and philosophy I definitely recommend it.
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- X. Luo
- 25-04-15
Brilliant and inspirational
I can't listen enough. I have listened three times now and will start from beginning again. One of the best books I bought
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- A Person
- 08-04-16
I'd pay extra for Shapiro
The narrator Rob is absolutely excellent and has clearly read through the material first. I hope he carries on doing more. It would actually sway my decision to purchase another title.
I haven't finished the book yet so will update when I do - but at chapter 4 I am enthralled and engaged and thoroughly enjoying.
I usually bombard myself with lectures (yes, self inflicted - I am old enough to have left school with O levels and not bothered with much more that wasn't earning money.)
This narrative is kind of personal and he makes no apologies for that. Not in rude way but sets out his stall early doors that he is not going to try to "balance" his theories by reciting 10 others. It's actually quite refreshing.
Well written and well read.
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- Matt
- 07-10-20
Incredible - and not just for mathematicians
I came to Our Mathematical Universe from another Tegmark work, Life 3.0 (which I also highly recommend).
The title of this book had me a little worried at first - because I've always struggled with mathematics. But I needn't have worried. This isn't a book of equations - but rather perhaps a book about equations. As a non-scientist, and non-mathematician, I found the material to be well explained. I feel I now understand concepts like quantum superposition reasonably well. And really, when you arrive at the final section, where Tegmark argues (spoiler) that education will save us all, that's probably the purpose of the book.
I've been thinking about a lot of the problems described in this book since I was a child - and for the first time I feel like I might have gotten close to some answers. What are the limits of our universe? How far does it extend, and how fine does its resolution go? It's really inspiring stuff.
And because it's written by Tegmark, there's an enjoyable drama here too. I found myself getting genuinely angry while the author described the treatment of Hugh Everett III by his fellow physicists. As someone who left academia rather disillusioned myself, this struck a personal chord for me.
If you're interested in the big questions, then I wholeheartedly recommend Our Mathematical Universe. Some of the ideas here sound pretty crazy at first, but then again, so is our existence itself (as the book will tell you). I'll be revisiting this one for sure - as well as seeking out a lot of the other books Tegmark recommends here.
I didn't find this quite as easy to follow as Life 3.0, and there was a point where I really struggled to keep up (about 75% of the way through). I don't know how many times I hit rewind so that I could get a better understanding of something. But it was very much worth it - I enjoyed every minute. 9/10. Very, very good stuff.
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