'Quantum mechanics is astoundingly successful, but its proper meaning and interpretation remains an open question that vexes physicists to this day. Thorough in its detailed treatment of the key players and their contributions, What Is Real? offers an essential guide to the great quantum controversies that are still raging strong.'- Paul Halpern, author of The Quantum Labyrinth 'In this immensely well-researched book, Adam Becker explores the little-known history of principled critiques of the quantum physics establishment, tracing a fascinating skein from the Einstein-Bohr debates all the way to the proliferation of alternatives in the 1970s and beyond.

Adam Becker's wonderful book recounts the colorful history of the reality debates, and makes the case that Einstein was right all along.'- Sean Carroll, author of The Big Picture 'Quantum mechanics is an extraordinarily successful theory, but for decades physicists have been in stubborn denial about what the theory actually says about the nature of reality. 'Becker.takes readers on a deep dive into the battle for the heart of quantum physics.'- Unbound Worlds 'A useful introduction to the history of quantum theory for scientifically inclined readers.'- Kirkus Reviews With his crisp voice, Becker lucidly relates the complicated history of quantum foundations.'- Publishers Weekly

Vivid biographical portraits enliven even dense theoretical explanations with wit and bite. He has written for the BBC and New Scientist, and is a visiting scholar at University of California, Berkeley’s Office for History of Science and Technology. What Is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth.Īdam Becker is a science writer with a PhD in astrophysics. And yet, from the 1920s to today, physicists like John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. As a result, questioning the status quo long meant professional ruin. A mishmash of solipsism and poor reasoning, Copenhagen endured, as Bohr’s students vigorously protected his legacy, and the physics community favored practical experiments over philosophical arguments. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr’s Copenhagen interpretation and dismissed questions about the reality underlying quantum physics as meaningless. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. In conversation with Anil Ananthaswamy, author of The Man Who Wasn't There.Įvery physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity’s finest scientific achievements. A discussion and book signing of What is Real?: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics. Adam Becker presents the untold story of the heretical thinkers who dared to question the nature of our quantum universe.

What Is Real? by Adam Becker