Review of 'Seven Brief Lessons on Physics'

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli

seven_brief_lessons_on_physics.jpg Originally published in the Sunday supplement of an Italian newspaper, these seven short chapters begin with relativity and take us through modern thinking in Physics, rounding off the whole discussion with a chapter about “Ourselves” - A chapter that brings all of this into applicability in our own lives which dips into philosophy and metaphysics to boot. A lot of ground to cover but Rovelli has a knack of making the most complex subjects easy to handle but even so I had trouble with a few of the bits (particularly in the early chapters). As per the old axiom regarding the use of formula in writing (every formula results in 50% less readers) I counted only one in all of the articles so the 50% of people that remained reading hopefully enjoyed it! His articles include basic diagrams to illustrate the points he is making and, refreshingly, he is open about where there is still debate in some of the theories discussed.

An interesting an engaging book that puts some of the most complex ideas of modern physics into easy-to-understand terms and relating them to our every day lives. An admirable accomplishment.

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2022-09-04


Genre: Non-Fiction

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 2014

ISBN: 9780141981727