Entanglement: The Greatest Mystery in Physics

Rating:
Summary: Incredible ideas not thoroughly explained....
Review: This book had a wonderful topic: quantum theory and especially the idea of entanglement (hence the title). This book isn't for people who are new to quantum theory; one should be familiar with some of the mathematics involved to understand this book. The reliance on many equations is a bit boring, so I'd recommend some other book like "Timeline" by Michael Crichton to introduce the idea of quantum theory.

Rating:
Summary: At the Edge of Physics and Philosophy
Review: This is a story about the search for a deeper understanding of what Quantum Mechanics really means. The book is tantalizing but a bit frustrating because we don't known what quantum theory actually means. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to get to know a little about the key players in this search, it adds a human touch and offers a feel for what it must be like to be at the frontiers of quantum theory research. Aczel skims the surface of the material because he must avoid plunging into the mathematics needed to fully appreciate the details. I suggest the reader have some previous experience reading and thinking about quantum theory ("The Cosmic Code" by H. Pagels is particularly recommended). Aczel spends the first half of his book with introductory material however in places this effort might need more elaboration for someone trying to enter this bizarre topic for the first time. This book is probably one of the very few places where a reader of popularizations in physics can explore the latest ramifications of quantum entanglement. Aczel spent considerable time interviewing the key physicists and probably got the science right. We recognize his total involvement with the content and appreciate the care with which the ideas are presented. I rated this book 5 stars because it was so thrilling and left me with a wish that I could be there with the investigators. This is an ongoing story and I didn't want it to end! It will certainly bend your brain and leave you wondering about what reality actually is! The bibliography is useful for anyone wishing to dig into the territory deeper.