I have just submitted a book, entitled Waves in an Impossible Sea, to my publisher, Basic Books (a trade press well known for Gödel, Escher, Bach, as well as numerous other science and math titles.) If all goes smoothly, it will go on sale in March 2024 or thereabouts. Now that it is mostly done, I will have some more time for writing of other sorts, including posts on this blog.
In the book, I’ve tried to explain how modern physics intersects with human existence and experience. I hope it will bring a physicist’s perspective on the cosmos, and on humans’ place within it, to a wider range of people. Along the way, it explains clearly and correctly what the Higgs field’s role in nature is, and how it plays that role, to the extent we understand it.
The book is non-technical yet sophisticated; though a layperson with no science background can read it, it’s not a lightweight read. I’ve made the universe as comprehensible as I know how, but I haven’t oversimplified it. Of course I had to leave a lot out; otherwise the book would have been 3500 pages instead of 350. But whatever is covered in the book is covered as carefully as space allows.
Precisely because I’ve had to leave out so many interesting side-topics and technical details, I’ll be providing lots of supplementary material on this website. Some of it will be brief surveys of topics that couldn’t fit in the book; some of it will allow me to discuss subtle points that would have distracted from the flow of the book; and some of it will present some of the underlying math that didn’t belong in a non-technical book, but which I know will interest certain readers of this website. I’ll be writing much of that material in coming months, and as I finish parts of it, I’ll be posting them here. Your comments will be both welcome and essential in making sure that it is comprehensible and comprehensive.
There’s much more to come, so stay tuned.
Looking forward to reading the book. A paperback version would be appreciated and a kindle version
That’s entirely up to the publisher! not something authors get to choose, or schedule. There will be a paperback, surely, but the publisher decides when that happens.
SOOO looking forward to the book. Physics right now is the most exciting field and understanding its relationship to what we see, hear, and touch and think will be a delight. Congratulations
Good for you! Congratulations!
Congratulations for this achievement. Looking forward to read the book and your blog.
I am an autodidact, now learning QFT. Sometimes I go back to your website, that I read entirely, to refresh my mind and clarify some concepts. You are a great teacher, thank you for your effort.
I have seen many waves in many seas, winecoloured, snowwhite, dark and deep. I am very curious. I must go down to the seas again.
There are none darker, and none deeper, than this one.
Signing up.
Matt, I found your “none darker” comment about waves especially intriguing, but I also admit I don’t really know what you mean. Can we tempt you to elaborate? (Not too much, just enough to get people interested!)
Great news! I have been waiting for your book ever since you announced you were writing one. Looking forward to buying one.
I have been missing reading you very informative and up to date posts.
All the best
Mel
Excellent. TJ is a great editor – he did my Fermi book – and I am sure you will love what he does with your book.
Indeed; he worked with a light touch, but gave essential advice at critical moments, and helped me dramatically improve the opening chapters.
Can’t wait to read it.
Matt Strassler, congrats on completing your book — that’s no small effort! Also, I think that’s a brilliant title that should help garner layperson attention to your book. Best of luck!
Congratulations on this achievement! You are such an excellent writer and educator, your voice was sorely missed and I can not wait to read your thoughts on topics like this in a more expansive book format. Hope you can find a little time now to update your bio info on the blog too — have wondered for years what you’re doing since you were “employed outside of science”. So glad you’re back here, and keep going!
Congratulations on completing a book!
This is great! Looking forward to read you book.
I’d gladly take a 3500 page book that you wrote
🙂 If you can find 99,999 other people who would say the same, my publisher will be glad to oblige!
We’ll my grandsons and me. That’s 3 for a start. And the numbers only go up from there!
Count me in too!
Be a bit cautious there, Matt: Richard said “take,” not “buy”… 🙂
Good spotting… 😉
Awesome! I always wish you would write a book someday.
I learn both physics and English from you. Best to you.
Welcome back.
VERY exciting Matt!
Dear Prof Matt Strassler
Thank you very much for this great news !!
Best regards
Congrats on your book! Glad to have you back!