Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World How Physicists Transformed Everyday Life, reviewed

We look at the latest popular science book by Brian Clegg. Published by Icon Books, coming out 5 August 2021, ISBN: 9781785787478, Hardcover, £12.99

Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World, reviewed

It feels only very recently that we reviewed Brian Clegg’s book about Quantum Computing, so he is clearly a prolific writer. The ten particular days that have been selected for this book are a little arbitrary, as Clegg acknowledges himself. However as a reader friendly introduction into why physics is cool and affects many many areas of our lives his selection is diverse and significant enough that it works. Einstein naturally figures, Faraday too, Madame Curie (first double Nobel Prize winner, of any gender, truly a genius of her time) and then a range of other key breakthroughs.

Vince Cerf and the internet also makes a worthwhile inclusion on day ten, and even more interesting perhaps are also Clegg’s attempts to guess what day 11 might be in terms of the next significant break through. Perhaps the recent photographs and discoveries of light on the other side of blackholes, or something that we still have not yet even understood the value of.

Clegg writes well in an informative and accessible way. Physics can of course get complex very quickly, and also the maths associated with many of the cutting edge insights, this book however remains readable and a really good potential entry point for younger readers looking to have a big picture view  on what physics is, and how our best and brightest have gradually learned more about it.

A nice book, well written, and hopefully it will find a receptive audience for its positive interpretation of why physics remains invaluable to our lives.

More about the book

Ten breakthrough moments in the history of physics that have shaped the world we live in today. 

Physics informs our understanding of how the world works – but more than that, key breakthroughs in physics have transformed everyday life. We journey back to ten separate days in history to understand how particular breakthroughs were achieved, meet the individuals responsible and see how each breakthrough has influenced our lives.

Each date and breakthrough focuses on discoveries that have had a practical impact on our day-to-day life. Without Rudolph Clausius’ research in thermodynamics, we wouldn’t have fridges or air con and without Marie Curie’s discovery of polonium, we wouldn’t have life-saving radiotherapy treatments. We shouldn’t forget how Newton’s research into gravity has allowed us to use satellites for our Satnavs and put astronauts into space!

Brian Clegg is a popular science writer whose Dice World and A Brief History of Infinity were both longlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. He has written for publications including Nature, The Times and BBC Focus.

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