Title: Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World
Author: Lisa Randall
First published January 1, 2011
442 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061723728 (ISBN10: 006172372X)
Rating: 3.8
Overview
Lisa Randall, a renowned physicist and bestselling author, presents an exciting new exploration of the universe and the role of science in our lives. In Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Randall presents the latest ideas in physics and offers a compelling defense of science as an essential component of our understanding of the world.
With engaging insights from thought leaders such as Nate Silver, David Chang, and Scott Derrickson, this book is a captivating read and a must-have for anyone interested in the workings of the universe and the future of scientific discovery. Whether you are a fan of Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, or Carl Sagan, or simply curious about the mysteries of the cosmos, Knocking on Heaven’s Door is a must-read for all who value the importance of science and rational thought.
About the Author
Lisa Randall is a highly accomplished physicist who currently serves as a Professor of Physics at Harvard University. Her interest in physics began during her high school years in New York City, where she was a finalist in the National Westinghouse Science Talent Search and tied for first place.
She went on to earn her BS and PhD in physics from Harvard, and held postdoctoral fellowships at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Harvard University. She also served as a faculty member at MIT and Princeton, where she was the first tenured woman in physics and the first tenured woman theorist in science, respectively.
Randall is widely recognized as the most cited theoretical physicist in the world in the last five years, with approximately 10,000 citations. Her research primarily focuses on theoretical high energy physics, specifically examining the underlying physics of the standard model of particle physics.
She has conducted extensive studies on strongly interacting theories, supersymmetry, and extra dimensions of space, with a particular interest in “warped” geometries. Her work on the latter has yielded important insights into the hierarchy problem of particle physics and has provided a natural resolution to the large ratio of the Planck and electroweak scales.
Randall’s groundbreaking work on extra dimensions has received widespread attention in both scientific and popular media. Her research has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Economist, and Nature.
She has also been interviewed by Science Watch and the ISI Essential Science Indicators for her highly cited research. Overall, Lisa Randall’s contributions to the field of theoretical high energy physics have been groundbreaking and continue to shape our understanding of the universe.
Editoral Review
Lisa Randall’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World” is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between science and the everyday world. As a professor of physics at Harvard University, Randall has a deep understanding of the subject matter, but she presents it in a way that is accessible to readers who may not have a scientific background.
The book is a blend of memoir and science writing, as Randall shares her personal experiences and insights alongside explanations of complex scientific concepts. She uses her own experiences as a physicist to illuminate the broader implications of scientific research, and to show how science can help us better understand ourselves and our world.
The book is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different area of scientific inquiry. The first part focuses on the search for the Higgs boson, a subatomic particle that had long been theorized but had never been observed.
Randall provides a detailed explanation of the science behind the search, and she also delves into the politics and personalities involved in the research.
The second part of the book looks at the role of science in society, and how scientific thinking can be applied to a wide range of issues, from public policy to personal decision-making. Randall argues that scientific thinking can help us make better decisions and solve problems more effectively, and she provides numerous examples to support her case.
The final section of the book explores the nature of the universe itself, and the mysteries that scientists are still working to unravel. Randall discusses topics such as dark matter, dark energy, and the origins of the universe, providing a clear and engaging overview of some of the most fascinating questions in physics.
Overall, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” is a well-written and engaging book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in science or the natural world. Randall’s writing is clear and concise, and she does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into understandable terms.
While some readers may find the scientific content challenging, Randall’s approachable style and personal anecdotes make the book an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.
One potential criticism of the book is that it can be somewhat disjointed at times, as Randall jumps between different topics and ideas. Additionally, some readers may find that the book lacks a clear narrative arc or structure, which can make it feel somewhat meandering.
Despite these minor flaws, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in the intersection between science and society. Randall’s insights and perspectives are valuable and illuminating, and her writing style is engaging and accessible.
Whether you are a scientist or simply a curious reader, this book is well worth your time.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
