Description

‘A joy of a book – enriching, illuminating, eclectic and far from a conventional science read’ Richard Webb, New Scientist Books of the Year

‘Carlo Rovelli’s imaginative rigour, his lively humour and his beautiful writing are inspiring’ Erica Wagner

One of the most inspiring thinkers of our age, the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics transforms the way we think about the world with his reflections on science, history and humanity

In this collection of writings, the logbook of an intelligence always on the move, Carlo Rovelli follows his curiosity and invites us on a voyage through science, history, philosophy and politics.

Written with his usual clarity and wit, these pieces range widely across time and space: from Newton’s alchemy to Einstein’s mistakes, from Nabokov’s butterflies to Dante’s cosmology, from travels in Africa to the consciousness of an octopus, from mind-altering psychedelic substances to the meaning of atheism.

Charming, pithy and elegant, this book is the perfect gateway to the universe of one of the most influential scientists of our age.

Publisher Review

Carlo Rovelli, one of our age's most inspiring thinkers, offers intellectual adventures for the curious * Time Out * Rovelli opens windows onto the imagination for all of us -- Antony Gormley It remains rare for even the most talented science writers to fuse their work with a deep knowledge of the arts. One such rarity is Carlo Rovelli who, like some intellectual throwback to antiquity, treats the sciences and the humanities as complementary areas of knowledge and is a subtle interpreter of both. . . These finely wrought essays draw on an impressive hinterland of cultural and scientific learning. . . an entertaining and enlightening journey -- Andrew Anthony * Observer * This short collection of writings has something to offer for avid admirers of his work and new Rovelli readers alike * Science Focus * The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times * Rovelli is a brilliant and lucid teacher who uses his understanding of theoretical physics and the quantum world to talk about the complexity of our everyday reality A joy of a book - enriching, illuminating, eclectic and far from a conventional science read. . . showcases the light and shade of Rovelli's writing, and the passion for knowledge and curiosity that make him such an engaging writer . . . We need more Rovellis -- Richard Webb * New Scientist * The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius for our age -- Robert Fox Superb. Rovelli's journalism is an expression of the scientific desire to know and understand the world. Beautifully translated by Erica Segre and Simon Carnell, There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important than Kindness continues a tradition of jargon-free popular scientific writing from Galileo to Darwin that disappeared in the academic specialization of the last century -- Ian Thomson * Evening Standard *