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I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
(Carlo Rovelli, Allen Lane, £10.99)
Published version
Rovelli draws readers into his world by describing the development of theories that scientists have posited to try and explain our world and the universe beyond. He does this by expressing his awe at the unseen reality behind our physical realm, and in so doing, entices others to take a similar interest themselves. Disappointingly, there appear to be few differences between this edition and Rovelli’s original, published 10 years ago, with Rovelli’s declarations that ‘Exciting new ideas are in the process of being explored’ leaving us wondering about the (presumed) discoveries that have emerged in the intervening decade. That aside, however, you could regard this book as a highly readable entry point to the study of physics - an intriguing taster of the main course.
My original version
Rovelli draws the reader into his world by describing the development of the theories that scientists have posited in order to explain the world, and the universe and beyond, in which we live. He does so by his seemingly open-mouthed awe at both the complexity and the beauty of the unseen reality behind the physical veil we perceive. In so doing, perhaps his greatest achievement, apart from providing a brisk overview of some quite arcane concepts, is to entice others to become interested too, making this book an excellent starting point for students. Disappointingly, there appears to be no difference between this edition and the original, published ten years ago. Thus Rovelli’s declarations that exciting new ideas are being explored leaves the reader wondering what was discovered in the intervening decade. So regard this book as a very readable starting point for the study of Physics, a taster of the main meal.
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