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  • This Way to the Universe

  • A Theoretical Physicist's Journey to the Edge of Reality
  • Written by: Michael Dine
  • Narrated by: Michael Dine
  • Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
  • 3.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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This Way to the Universe

Written by: Michael Dine
Narrated by: Michael Dine
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Publisher's Summary

For fans of Sean Carroll, Brian Greene, Katie Mack, and anyone who wants to know what theoretical physicists actually do.

This Way to the Universe is a celebration of the astounding, ongoing scientific investigations that have revealed the nature of reality at its smallest, at its largest, and at the scale of our daily lives. The enigmas that Professor Michael Dine discusses are like landmarks on a fantastic journey to the edge of the universe.

Asked where to find out about the big bang, dark matter, the Higgs boson particle - the long cutting edge of physics right now - Dine had no single book he could recommend. This is his accessible, authoritative, and up-to-date answer. Comprehensible to anyone with a high-school-level education, with almost no equations, there is no better author to take you on this amazing odyssey.

Dine is widely recognized as having made profound contributions to our understanding of matter, time, the big bang, and even what might have come before it. This Way to the Universe touches on many emotional, critical points in his extraordinary career while presenting mind-bending physics like his answer to the dark matter and dark energy mysteries as well as the ideas that explain why our universe consists of something rather than nothing. People assume string theory can never be tested, but Dine intrepidly explores exactly how the theory might be tested experimentally, as well as the pitfalls of falling in love with math. This book reflects a lifetime pursuing the deepest mysteries of reality, by one of the most humble and warmly engaging voices you will ever hear.

©2022 Michael Dine (P)2022 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

This Way to the Universe is an accessible and impressively complete account of the history and current state of research in theoretical physics. Dine’s infectious enthusiasm about the quest for nature’s underlying truths is obvious on every page. Fellow science enthusiasts will enjoy this book and its unusual peek into the journey of a theoretical physicist.” Physics Today

This Way to the Universe an ideal primer for new graduate students who want to get a qualitative overview of the current state of fundamental physics, before delving into the more mathematical texts specific to their research. And even if you’re not an active physicist, the book will be perfect if you’re after some thought-provoking holiday reading. Physics World

“A comprehensive and uncompromising tour de force of literally all of fundamental physics.” —BBC Sky At Night Magazine

What listeners say about This Way to the Universe

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Accessible and informative

I enjoyed listening to this book -- it gave background on theories I'd heard about but hadn't really understood (e.g. M theory). It makes being grad student in theoretical physics sound like fun. I sometimes got lost in the name-dropping of who came up with what and talked about it at some conference. But overall, a clear account of the origins and latest thinking in contemporary theoretical physics. Perfect for an interested layperson.

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Not good.

Brian Greene and Sean Carroll are much better. The science is not explained and not deep. It's the worst of both worlds.

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