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A BOOK OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL TIMES * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * NEW STATESMAN * NEW SCIENTIST

‘A miniature masterpiece by one of the most entertaining scientists on the planet’ Evening Standard

‘Everyone’s talking about White Holes’ Daily Mail

A mesmerizing trip to the strange new world of white holes, from Carlo Rovelli, the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Let us journey into the heart of a black hole. Let us slip beyond its boundary, the horizon, and tumble – on and on – down this crack in the universe. As we plunge, we’ll see geometry fold, we’ll feel the equations draw tight around us. Eventually, we’ll pass it: the remains of a star, deep and dense and falling further far. And then – the bottom. Where time and space end, and the white hole is born . . .

With lightness and magic, here Carlo Rovelli traces the ongoing adventure of his own cutting-edge research, of the uncertainty and joy of going where we’ve not yet been. Guiding us to the edge of theory and experiment, he invites us to go beyond, to experience the fever and the disquiet of science. Here is the extraordinary life of a white hole.

Publisher Review

Carlo Rovelli is brilliant at making even dopey arts graduates understand physics before comprehension disappears into the black hole of ignorance. Now he turns to white holes. Apparently, where time and space end, the white hole is born (I think) * The Times * World renowned physicist Rovelli's writing is so magical - weaving in Dante and Einstein and art as he goes - you're happy to be transported. His new book - to be gorgeously giftily packaged in a design by Coralie Bickford-Smith - takes us on a bewitching trip into the heart of a black hole. There where time and space end, its opposite - a white hole - is born -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice * White Holes edifies, excites, and even transforms me. Rovelli summons us to novel forms of knowledge while also breathing life into questions that affect all sentient beings, such as: how do we proceed when our guides no longer suffice? I'm grateful for the warm invitation to the journey -- Maggie Nelson Carlo Rovelli is the poet of physics. His sense of wonder obliterates the barrier between Science and the Arts -- Alan Garner Rovelli's genius is to unlearn what we think we know to make space for what we don't know ... so that we can know it -- Jeanette Winterson Carlo Rovelli combines science and story like no one else. This short book starts with a wild idea that turned out to be real (black holes), and leads to a wild idea that remains speculative at the moment (white holes). It's a journey through time and space and possibility, led by a charming guide -- Sean Carroll Carlo Rovelli's combination of a brilliant scientific mind with philosophical clarity and a deeply and humanely poetic gift of expression is rare. This latest book is a wonderful addition to an already impressive list of works, leading us from the remotest reaches of cosmological speculation to revolutionary insights into our own consciousness -- Rowan Williams A wild, exhilarating ride, Dantesque in scope and beauty -- Michael Symmons Roberts What a lovely idea, to cast research into white holes - which may or may not be floating like dragonflies through the universe - as a Dantean journey to the heart of cutting-edge theory. Beautifully done -- Ruth Padel This is a radical wonder of a book that dares to take the lay reader by the hand and lead them, with generosity and tenderness, into a place that is so conceptually terrifying that it hovers on the periphery of what humans can imagine - namely - the inside of a black hole. Referencing Dante's voyage in the Divine Comedy and framing Einstein as Virgil, who takes us as far as his theories could then go, it is Rovelli himself who becomes our Beatrice, revealing through time elastic and true physics, the existence of another, perhaps stranger, cosmic eventuality -- Tacita Dean Thought-provoking, mind-expanding, and utterly charming. An intellectual feast that's also a fast and entertaining read -- Robert J. Sawyer To venture across the threshold of a black hole and then - incredibly - to burst through to the other side into the imagined but unseen realm of a white hole requires the most expert and sympathetic of guides. Carlo Rovelli is just who you need for such a daunting cosmic journey - ever patient, crystal clear and ready with a steadying hand. What could be a bewildering experience becomes one that's lyrical and illuminating. I read this short, enchanting, mind-opening book in one sitting and was so gripped I immediately read it again -- David Shukman A brilliant, expansive and richly rewarding read -- Irenosen Okojie Rovelli's vivid, beautifully written book guides us on an incredible journey through a black hole and the science and history of discovery that surrounds these strange, fascinating objects. I couldn't put it down -- Daniel Locke A charming introduction to the mysterious concept of white holes. Carlo Rovelli is a truly beguiling tour guide -- Professor Sarah Hart