The Age of Entanglement: When Quantum Physics Was Reborn (Vintage) |  | Author: Louisa Gilder
Publisher: Vintage
List Price: $17.00
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Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 39650
Media: Paperback
Pages: 464
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 1400095263
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9781400095261
ASIN: 1400095263
Publication Date: November 10, 2009 (New: Last 30 Days)
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Product Description
In The Age of Entanglement, Louisa Gilder brings to life one of the pivotal debates in twentieth century physics. In 1935, Albert Einstein famously showed that, according to the quantum theory, separated particles could act as if intimately connected–a phenomenon which he derisively described as “spooky action at a distance.” In that same year, Erwin Schrödinger christened this correlation “entanglement.” Yet its existence was mostly ignored until 1964, when the Irish physicist John Bell demonstrated just how strange this entanglement really was. Drawing on the papers, letters, and memoirs of the twentieth century’s greatest physicists, Gilder both humanizes and dramatizes the story by employing the scientists’ own words in imagined face-to-face dialogues. The result is a richly illuminating exploration of one of the most exciting concepts of quantum physics.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
 age of entanglement review September 8, 2009
Roberto Juarez Maldonado (Spain)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A very good book on the history of entanglement and quantum physics in general. I would recommend it to everyone who likes fundamental questions.
Engrossing history. ...coulda used a little more physics detail. July 17, 2009
Wayne D. Hild
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I loved the feeling of really getting to know the physicists. Louisa takes quite a bit of artistic license in putting words in their mouths, but she very effectively brings the amazing characters & genius' of the 'golden age' of physics to life. I would have liked a little more explanation of the nuts & bolts of quantum theory, but that's probably cause I don't understand it as well as I would like... altogether a very rewarding read!
A VERY GOOD REFERENCE AND SUMMARY FOR ENTANGLEMENT June 26, 2009
Robert P. Mccomb (SOUTHINGTON,CT.)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
LOUISA GILDER HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THE PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF THIS BOOK.
IT BRINGS TOGETHER MOST ALL OF THE THOUGHTS , COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THE ENTANGLEMENT WHICH HAS CAUSED SO MUCH CONFUSION AND DELAY IN THE UNIFICATION OF CLASSICAL PHYSICS AND QUANTUM MECHANICS/PHYSICS.
DO NOT LOOK FOR TECHNICAL READING IN THIS BOOK, IT WAS NOT THE AUTHORS INTENT TO PRESENT DETAILED TECHNICAL POINTS. THEREFORE SOME UNDER STANDING
OF CLASSICAL PHYSICS AND THE BASICS OF QUANTUM PHYSICS WOULD BE AN ASSET.
ALL IN ALL I CONSIDER THIS AN EXCELLENT READ!!!
AS A COMPANION BOOK RECOMMEND:The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, The Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next
A MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT FROM A RISING STAR June 19, 2009
David A. Clary (Roswell NM)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'll not repeat what the editorial reviews say about this truly impressive piece of research and writing. Suffice it to say--who among us would expect a history of quantum physics to be readable, enjoyable, and informative (you need not worry about the math, Gilder gives you the basic understanding)all at once? The author's focus on the personalities and their clashes and cooperation makes this a very human story, at the same time it traces the last century and more in physics. As a historian of science and engineering (and military history) myself, I am doubly impressed not just with this wonderful production, but with the fact that it came from someone just starting out. I look forward to many fine works by Louisa Gilder in the years to come. Bravo!
 An important memoir in ludicrous prose June 15, 2009
Roy Lisker (Middletown, CT 06457)
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
It is very difficult to write a review of a book written in such embarrassingly bad prose, which at the same time is so signal an accomplishment in terms of the work involved and the story being related.
Louisa Gilder is quick to acknowledge all the editorial help she received while writing it, but her editors must have all been asleep at the wheel. The style of "The Age of Entanglement" is not atypical of much popular science writing, in which almost every noun must be preceded by a flashy, high energy adjective, most personal descriptions consist of one noun with its accompanying adjective, cliches abound, and all similes are exaggerated. Her contribution to this genre is among the worst I've seen in recent years.
The problem appears to be that publishers, properly turned off by the dull, repetitive, monotone character of most scientific research communications, feel that they have to compensate for this in popular science writing by injecting that "zing", that "thrill of discovery", that "rush to the finish line" in sentence after sentence. I am unable to decide on which stylistic convention is the more irritating.
These faults are compounded, in "The Age of Entanglement", by the long string of "historical reconstructions" that structure the whole narrative. The idea of presenting the recent history of a living science as a series of conversations based on their correspondence, is excellent. Yet when, on page after page "Standing at the blackboard, X frowned", is followed a few lines later with, "Thinking about this, Y grinned", "frown" and "grin" following one after the other like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, one begins to question its effectiveness.
And, as is so often the case, there are no equations in a book on a subject which requires a basic minimum of them. This has the unfortunate effect of turning away the potential audience who don't mind equations,that is to say the scientists themselves.
Because it happens to be the case that the history of quantum theory , and the new developments with respect to entanglement, that Louisa Gilder lays out in this book, is done with such thoroughness and competence, that I would recommend that it be on the bookshelf of any scientist interested in, or working in those fields.
Her achievement is truly "incredible", a word she overuses to the breaking point. In addition to portraying the intricacies of the slow advance of ideas from generation to generation, she also attempts to explain, in words, the mathematical concepts she is not allowed to portray in symbols. The result is often turgid, convoluted, even confusing, but it is always impressive!
My suggestion is that, if there is to be a second edition, she remove every adjective, every use of the words "frown" and "grin",every sentence that appears repetitive,and every simile, before sitting down with an editor to decide if and when to restore them. Yes, and a few equations please. They don't bite.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
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