Books like Life on the Edge — picked by fans

I first experienced a global shift in perception and how we see the world—an epistemological break—as a young man being captured by the youth rebellion of the Sixties—60 years ago. It revolutionized the way we perceived the world around us, how we interpreted it, how we communicated. Our language became music; our music became language. I started to write.  Right now, another epistemological break is on its way. It has two roots: first, the conservative backlash against emancipatory movements and democracy since 1980. Second, the tremendous advances of technology and its impact on perception, interpretation, and communication. After decades as a scientist, I still write. Building on René Descartes—"cogito ergo sum"—I confess: scribo ergo sum. 

I first experienced a global shift in perception and how we see the world—an epistemological break—as a young man being captured by the youth rebellion of the Sixties—60 years ago. It revolutionized the way we perceived the world around us, how we interpreted it, how we communicated. Our language became music; our music became language. I started to write.  Right now, another epistemological break is on its way. It has two roots: first, the conservative backlash against emancipatory movements and democracy since 1980. Second, the tremendous advances of technology and its impact on perception, interpretation, and communication. After decades as a scientist, I still write. Building on René Descartes—"cogito ergo sum"—I confess: scribo ergo sum. 

I first experienced a global shift in perception and how we see the world—an epistemological break—as a young man being captured by the youth rebellion of the Sixties—60 years ago. It revolutionized the way we perceived the world around us, how we interpreted it, how we communicated. Our language became music; our music became language. I started to write.  Right now, another epistemological break is on its way. It has two roots: first, the conservative backlash against emancipatory movements and democracy since 1980. Second, the tremendous advances of technology and its impact on perception, interpretation, and communication. After decades as a scientist, I still write. Building on René Descartes—"cogito ergo sum"—I confess: scribo ergo sum. 

I first experienced a global shift in perception and how we see the world—an epistemological break—as a young man being captured by the youth rebellion of the Sixties—60 years ago. It revolutionized the way we perceived the world around us, how we interpreted it, how we communicated. Our language became music; our music became language. I started to write.  Right now, another epistemological break is on its way. It has two roots: first, the conservative backlash against emancipatory movements and democracy since 1980. Second, the tremendous advances of technology and its impact on perception, interpretation, and communication. After decades as a scientist, I still write. Building on René Descartes—"cogito ergo sum"—I confess: scribo ergo sum. 

Since my first college course in quantum physics, I have been fascinated with this enigmatic, infinitely interesting theory. It's our most fundamental description of the universe, it's been found to be unerringly accurate, yet it's quite subtle to interpret. Even more intriguingly, "nobody really understands quantum physics" (as Richard Feynman put it). For example, the theory's central concept, the wave function, is interpreted radically differently by different physicists. I have always yearned to grasp, at least to my own satisfaction, a comprehensive understanding of this theory. Since retirement 23 years ago, I have pursued this passion nearly full-time and found some answers, leading to several technical papers and a popular book.

I am a professor of physics, passionate about researching physics and inspiring non-scientists to enjoy learning about physics. My research addresses how to use quantum physics to accelerate the development of quantum information science including quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum measurement. My current projects are in developing quantum satellite communications, increasing the precision of telescopes, and constructing a quantum version of the Internet—the Quantum Internet. These topics revolve around quantum optics—the study of how light interacts with matter. I originated the idea of a National Quantum Initiative and lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass it into law, resulting in large investments in the new, exciting field of quantum technology.

I am totally fascinated by the quest of how Nature does it. In particular, I love the fact that humans managed to enters the strange world of atoms and photons by just using their brute intellectual force and imagination. This world obeys precise rules, but very different ones from those we get used to since childhood. For example, the laws that govern the microscopic world allow for indeterminacy and randomness. Moreover, some random events may manifest themselves at several locations at once, leading to the phenomenon of quantum non-locality. I am very fortunate that I could spend all my professional time on such fascinating conceptual questions, combined with highly timely new technologies.

I am totally fascinated by the quest of how Nature does it. In particular, I love the fact that humans managed to enters the strange world of atoms and photons by just using their brute intellectual force and imagination. This world obeys precise rules, but very different ones from those we get used to since childhood. For example, the laws that govern the microscopic world allow for indeterminacy and randomness. Moreover, some random events may manifest themselves at several locations at once, leading to the phenomenon of quantum non-locality. I am very fortunate that I could spend all my professional time on such fascinating conceptual questions, combined with highly timely new technologies.

I am a professor of quantum physics—the most notoriously complicated science humans have ever invented. While the likes of Albert Einstein commented on how difficult quantum physics is to understand, I disagree! Ever since my mum asked me—back while I was a university student—to explain to her what I was studying, I’ve been on a mission to make quantum physics as widely accessible as possible. Science belongs to us all and we should all have an opportunity to appreciate it!

I have always been fascinated by how the world works. What gives gravity so much power? Why is it easier to lift things with levers and pulleys? Why do we have electricity inside of our own bodies?! The world is amazing. My job editing nonfiction books for kids puts me on the front lines of some of the smartest science writing out there. While I had no hand in the making of the following five picture books about physics, they are still some of my favorites because of the way they peel back the mysterious layers of the world to show us the science hidden in our daily lives.