Books with author John Gribbin

Quantum theory is so shocking that Einstein could not bring himself to accept it. It is so important that it provides the fundamental underpinning of all modern sciences. Without it, we'd have no nuclear power or nuclear weapons, no TV, no computers, no science of molecular biology, no understanding of DNA, no genetic engineering. In Search of Schrodinger's Cat tells the complete story of quantum mechanics, a truth stranger than any fiction. John Gribbin takes us step by step into an ever more bizarre and fascinating place, requiring only that we approach it with an open mind. He introduces the scientists who developed quantum theory. He investigates the atom, radiation, time travel, the birth of the universe, superconductors and life itself. And in a world full of its own delights, mysteries and surprises, he searches for Schrodinger's Cat - a search for quantum reality - as he brings every reader to a clear understanding of the most important area of scientific study today - quantum physics. In Search of Schrodinger's Cat is a fascinating and delightful introduction to the strange world of the quantum - an essential element in understanding today's world.

A fascinating new exploration of the fundamental questions of lifeJohn Gribbin examines how, and when, life in our Solar System began. Along the way he answers two questions: if living things are comprised of the same basic building blocks as inanimate ones, what is the spark that leads to life? And should we expect to find life elsewhere in the universe?The Cosmic Origins of Life is a journey through astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, genetics, physics and metaphysics – travelling from the smallest of cells to the entire Universe. Perfect for anyone who enjoyed Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, or The Grand Design by Leonard Mlodinow and Stephen Hawking.Praise for John Gribbin:‘Precise yet mysterious… as beautiful as a poem and as exciting as a novel’ – The Sunday Times‘Immensely readable’ – The Times‘One of the finest and most prolific writers of popular science around’ – The SpectatorJohn Gribbin is an award-winning science writer best known for his book In Search of Schrodinger's Cat. He studied astrophysics under Fred Hoyle in Cambridge, before working as a science journalist for Nature and later the New Scientist, and is now a Visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex.

The acclaimed author of In Search of Schrödinger's Cat searches for life on other planetsAre we alone in the universe? Surely amidst the immensity of the cosmos there must be other intelligent life out there. Don't be so sure, says John Gribbin, one of today's best popular science writers. In this fascinating and intriguing new book, Gribbin argues that the very existence of intelligent life anywhere in the cosmos is, from an astrophysicist's point of view, a miracle. So why is there life on Earth and (seemingly) nowhere else? What happened to make this planet special? Taking us back some 600 million years, Gribbin lets you experience the series of unique cosmic events that were responsible for our unique form of life within the Milky Way Galaxy.Written by one of our foremost popular science writers, author of the bestselling In Search of Schrödinger's Cat Offers a bold answer to the eternal question, ""Are we alone in the universe?""Explores how the impact of a ""supercomet"" with Venus 600 million years ago created our moon, and along with it, the perfect conditions for life on EarthFrom one of our most talented science writers, this book is a daring, fascinating exploration into the dawning of the universe, cosmic collisions and their consequences, and the uniqueness of life on Earth.

The amazing true science behind the fiction of His Dark Materials, ideal for fans of the original trilogy and The Book of Dust, with an introduction by Philip Pullman.Award-winning science writers Mary and John Gribbin reveal how the world of Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass) is rooted in astonishing scientific truth. Drawing on string theory and spacetime, quantum physics and chaos theory, they answer fascinating questions such as: could parallel worlds like Will's and Lyra's really exist? How does the subtle knife cut through anything? Could there be a bomb like the one made with Lyra's hair? And, of course, what are the Dark Materials?

A new version of the adult book written specifically for children 11 and up. Covering a huge sweep of science (the last 400 years) the Gribbins look at the great scientists from childhood to old age, telling the stories of their lives and how they came to make their renowned discoveries. A fascinating and highly readable account of the events that lie behind the scientific milestones of history, this book tells us the human stories behind the scientific principles. Previously published in hardback as Inventing the Future.