"In the high-energy magic facility of Unseen University, the wizards have created a miniature cosmos that includes Roundworld, known to us as Earth. As they bicker over the meaning of this - to them - unfeasible and bizarre planet, we go on a tour of Big Science. From astrophysics to quantum mechanics, the interleaved chapters give us a briefing on the history and the present state of play of our scientific learning, while stressing alway the limits of our knowledge--. The tone is intelligent and humorous (think Horizon with laughs) and demands an intellectual engagement on the part of the reader. The result is a book in which the hard science is as gripping as the fiction--one for anyone with an interest in where science comes from and where it is going." - The Times
Science of Discworld Series
This series brilliantly blends science and fantasy, exploring how the laws of our universe manifest in a world governed by magic and absurdity. Follow a unique cast of characters as they delve into physics, astronomy, and the very nature of reality itself. It's a humorous yet insightful journey for readers who enjoy witty commentary and mind-bending scientific concepts presented through a fantastical lens.
Recommended Reading Order
Acclaimed The Science of Discworld centred around an original Pratchett story about the wizards of Discworld.
They know the creatures who lived there escaped the impending Big Freeze by inventing the space elevator - they even intervened to rid the planet of a plague of elves, who attempted to divert humanity onto a different time track. Can the God of Evolution come to humanity's aid and ensure Darwin writes a very different book?
In the fourth installment of the Science of Discworld series, Terry Pratchett presents a story that grapples with profound questions, enriched by extensive footnotes from mathematician Ian Stewart and biologist Jack Cohen. The narrative follows Marjorie Daw, a dedicated librarian, who unknowingly finds herself at the center of a crisis affecting both her world and Roundworld. On Discworld, tensions rise as the Wizards of Unseen University confront the consequences of their past mistakes in Quantum ThaumoDynamics, which inadvertently created Roundworld. Facing legal action from the Omnians, who argue that the Wizards' actions undermine their religion, the situation escalates. As a zombie and a priest prepare for a legal showdown, Marjorie is unexpectedly thrust into the multiverse's chaos. The story explores themes of divinity, the universe, and existence itself, featuring elements like world-bearing elephants, quantum gravity, evolutionary design, and dark matter. Readers can anticipate a whimsical yet thought-provoking journey that delves into the intricacies of reality and the quest for knowledge, all while maintaining Pratchett's signature humor and wit.