by Steve Bryson
A large selection of books giving a popular account of quantum theory and particle physics is currently available . In this book list I am describing books that I feel give the fairest treatment of our subject. In any subject as controversial as quantum theory personal prejudices are going to show. I have my favorites and my friends have other favorites. Many good books are not mentioned, and there are many not so good books that are also not mentioned.
With three exceptions, Inward Bound, Constructing Quarks and The Ideas of Particle Physics, all of these books are accessible to someone with no technical background. Typically these books are not light reading, however.
There are two distinctions that I wish to draw among the books. First there are those books that talk about particle physics and those that talk about quantum mechanics. Though these two subjects are very intertwined, they are typically treated separately. The other distinction is between those books that talk just about the physics (or metaphysics) of quantum theory, and those that talk about the implications of these theories for the rest of our lives. I feel that these distinctions will be useful to you as you choose what books you may want to read.
Good places to find these books include: Cody's (new), ASUC (new), Moe's (used), Pegasus (used), Half-Priced Books (used), and Black Oak (new and used) in Berkeley; Stacy's (new) and A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books (new) in San Francisco; A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books (new) in Larkspur; and Stacy's (new), Printer's Inc. (new), and The Stanford Bookstore (new) in Palo Alto.
Books describing particle physics:
From Atoms to Quarks: An Introduction to the Strange World of Particle Physics by Judith Peatross and James Trefil, Anchor Books 1994. $12.95 in paperback.
A very good looking introduction to particle physics via both an historical and conceptual perspective. I have not read it but it looks very accessable and enjoyable.
Superforce by Paul Davies, Simon and Schuster 1984. $16.95 in hardcover, also available in paperback
My all time favorite survey of quantum mechanics, particle theory, forces between particles and unification. Clear, easy reading by an active researcher in the field. If you read just one book in this subject make it this one.
Story of the W and Z by Peter Watkins, Cambridge University Press 1986, $13.95 in paperback
This book seems to be the closest thing to a textbook for this class. Summarizes the current theories and technologies, climaxing with the discovery of the W and Z bosons at CERN thus spectacularly verifying the Standard Model of particle physics. Seems to be thorough and readable, which is an impressive combination.
The Particle Hunters by Yuval Ne'eman and Yoram Kirsh, Cambridge University Press 1983, $13.95 in paperback
A straightforward description of particle processes and detection by two prominent working physicists. Seems to be moderately dry and demanding but goes into details of particle reactions that I have not found elsewhere in the popular literature.
The Particle Explosion by Frank Close, Michael Martin, and Christine Sutton, 1987, $35.00 in hardcover
A big, beautiful book full of color pictures. Primarily historical in perspective, this book would be good easy reading for anyone who just wants to hear about all the success in particle physics over the years. Well worth the high price.
QED by Richard Feynman, Princeton University Press 1985, $18.50 in hardcover, also available in paperback
A description of the simplest version of the successful gauge theories of the forces of nature (Quantum ElectroDynamics or the theory of the interaction of light with matter) by one of the men who invented it. The approach that is taken here is somewhat unconventional and so would be good as another perspective. I've been told, however, that this book is rather difficult to read.
Interactions by Sheldon L. Glashow (with Ben Bova), Warner Books 1988, $12.95 in paperback
An introduction to particle physics, from an historical perspective, by one of the inventors of the Standard Model of elementary particle physics. Full of figures and metaphors relating difficult concepts to everyday life. Told from a charming personal point of view, with many anecdotes about particle physicists.
From X-Rays to Quarks by Emilio Segre, Freeman and Co., 1980. $10.95 in paperback.
An historical survey of all of particle physics by someone who was there for most of it (Segre won (with Owen Chamberlain) the Nobel prize for the discovery of the anti-proton). A little dry, it is a very complete book describing particle physics from the inside.
Nobel Dreams by Gary Taubes, Random House 1986, $19.95 in hardcover
An Excellent account of a (the?) major particle experiment: the search for the W and Z bosons. Unlike the book Story of the W and Z mentioned above, however, this book is written by a journalist who lived with the physicists involved during the development and running of the experiment. Gives an accurate in depth story of the particle physics community from a very human perspective. Tells of the successful W and Z search, then the unsuccessful search for supersymmetry. Cannot be recommended too highly, especially if you want to know what it is like to be a particle physicist.
Dreams of a Final Theory by Steven Weinberg, Pantheon Books 1992, $25.00 in hardcover
A very heartfelt and high-level discussion of why physicists are studying elementary particles by one of the inventors of the Standard Model of elementary particle physics. More philosophical than technical in nature, Weinberg discusses the motives and methodology behind the presumption that the study of elementary particles will help us understand nature as a whole. There is very little in the way of descriptions of the details of particular theories, but this book offers the general public a unique perspective on how and why theories are produced. Very readable and highly recommended as a supplement to one of the more detail oriented books described above.
The Discovery of Subatomic Particles by Steven Weinberg, W. H. Freeman and Co. 1984, $32.95 in hardcover
The story of the discovery of subatomic particles with many pictures and diagrams. One of the Scientific American Library series.
The next three books are a little technical, though you may enjoy reading around the equations--Recommended only if you either already have a technical background or at the end of this course you have understood everything I've said.
Inward Bound by Abraham Pais, Oxford University Press, 1986. $17.95 in paperback.
A readable, human but at times very technical history of all of particle physics from the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity to modern times. Pais is a physicist who was instrumental in the maturing of modern quantum field theory in the 50's and 60's. The history of the pre-1950 period (which is before Pais became an active physicist) is wonderfully readable, but when Pais gets to the period of his own professional activity the book suddenly shifts into high gear and gets very dense with technical information. The first half of the book is recommended for anyone who does not mind reading around an occasional equation.
Constructing Quarks by Andrew Pickering, University of Chicago Press, 1984. $30.00 in hardcover, also available in paperback
A detailed, scholarly, semi-technical history of modern particle physics and field theory. Following the initial downfall and subsequent emergence of gauge theory as the dominant view of physics, Pickering reveals in great detail the social and intellectual struggles in the physics community during the 60's and 70's. Though Pickering makes some effort to introduce technical concepts this book would be rather frustrating for someone with no background. Once we have finished this course, however, this book would give a rewarding glimpse into the real world of physics. To be found in college bookstores, i.e. in Berkeley.
The Ideas of Particle Physics by J. E. Dodd, Cambridge University Press 1984, $17.95 in paperback
Subtitled 'An Introduction for Scientists', this book is for non-physicists who are technically trained in some other hard science and are curious about particle physics. Basically a series of short, concise descriptions of the concepts behind the theories in particle physics, with lots of diagrams.
Books describing Quantum physics:
The Quantum Universe by Tony Hey and Patrick Walters, Cambridge University Press 1987, $16.95 in paperback
A beautiful, down to earth book describing the discoveries and applications of quantum mechanics. Full of pictures (many in color), this book should be read by anyone who needs grounding on just where quantum mechanics fits into our lives.
Other Worlds by Paul Davies, Simon and Schuster 1980. $11.95 in paperback.
Another excellent book by Davies that concentrates on the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics. A very balanced and accurate account of the controversies surrounding quantum mechanics without any of the emotionalism that you find in other books.
The Ghost in the Atom edited by Paul Davies and J. R. Brown, Cambridge University Press 1986, $9.95 in paperback
A wonderful little collection of interviews with physicists (John Wheeler, John Bell, David Bohm, etc.) who have been instrumental in the development of the controversies surrounding quantum mechanics. Very good for getting various points of view from the original proponents.
Actually, just about anything by Davies is very good (though I had a little trouble with Davies' attitude towards religion in God and the New Physics). Davies is my favorite science author of both popular and technical books.
Causality and Chance in Modern Physics by David Bohm, University of Penn. Press, 1957. In paperback.
A thorough and deep discussion of the role of probability in quantum mechanics and the development of hidden variable theories. Bohm invented the first workable hidden variable theory about the time he wrote this book. Actually a little out of date, predating the work by Bell and others discussing hidden variables, this book will give a good understanding of the problems of interpreting quantum mechanics.
Any book by Bohm is worth reading, though he has lately written more about philosophy and metaphysics than physics. Just know what you are picking up.
Taking the Quantum Leap by Fred Alan Wolf, Harper and Row, 1981. $10.95 in paperback.
A playful, more up to date version of the above book. Without pulling any punches, Wolf surveys the various interpretations of quantum theory. The discussions of the problems and proposed solutions are clear and lucid. I have trouble with Wolf, however, as he has the habit introducing very problematical ideas to the reader as if they were accepted truth. Still worth reading, just keep in a skeptical frame of mind (i.e. read something else in addition).
Though I have not had a chance to look at it, I am told that In Search of Schroedinger's Cat by John Gribbon is a good straightforward description of quantum mechanics. (Do not confuse this with Schroedinger's Cat by Robert Anton Wilson!)
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Books about the metaphysical implications
The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra, Shambhala Press, 1977. In paperback.
The book that could be said to have started the popular interest in the metaphysics of quantum mechanics. In this book Capra describes how many of the discoveries in modern physics seem to have been anticipated by the writings of far eastern philosophies and religions. I do not feel that Capra succeeds in exploring the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics, however. First, this book is more a comparative religions essay than an exploration. Secondly, much of what Capra says about the physics is based on a theory of elementary particles that has since been replaced. There is much here worth reading but there is also much that most physicists these days would not say is correct.
The next two books fit much more into my picture of explorations of the metaphysics of quantum mechanics.
Einstein's Space and Van Gogh's Sky by Lawrence Leshan and Henry Margenau, Collier Books, 1982. $6.95 in paperback.
This remarkable book is the product of a collaboration between a research psychologist and an important physicist in the history of Quantum Theory. After a rather open minded and sophisticated discussion of the philosophies of science and knowledge, they bring the new world views of physics into the realms of sociology, art, etc. Not really an introduction to the physics, it should be read once you already know something about quantum mechanics.
Fabric of the Universe by Denis Postle, Crown Books 1976, in paperback.
For the very open minded reader, this book will totally immerse you in the alternate world views brought about by taking quantum mechanics and particle physics literally. Postle then goes on to give a flowing, totally non-intellectual account of what modern physics and eastern philosophies share. Full of wonderful pictures and drawings, you will learn quite a lot of physics here from a very concise source. Though written at a time when particle physics was just starting to sort itself out, Postle concentrated on those ideas that have since been vindicated as the current model for how the world works.
Again, this does not pretend to be an exhaustive list. There are many good books not listed here.