The Cambridge Companion to Newton edited by I Bernard Cohen and George E Smith (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
A team of distinguished contributors examine all the main aspects of Newton's thought, including his approach to space, time, mechanics, universal gravity in his Principia, his research in optics, and his contributions to mathematics. It also features his more clandestine investigations into alchemy, theology and prophecy, which have sometimes been overshadowed by his mathematical and scientific interests.
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The Curvature of Spacetime: Newton, Einstein, and gravitation by Harald Fritzsch and Karin Heusch (Columbia University Press, 2002)
Offers the opportunity to take part in an imaginary meeting between Newton, Einstein and a modern physicist, discussing the general theory of relativity and other mysteries of modern physics. Newton serves as the sceptic and asks questions a modern reader might ask. Einstein himself does the explaining while the particle physicist explains the new developments that have occurred since the general theory was proposed.
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Newton to Einstein: The trail of light, an excursion to the wave-particle duality and the special theory of relativity by Ralph Baierlein (Cambridge University Press, 2001)
Takes the reader along the trail of light from Newton's particles to Einstein's relativity, presenting clues and encouraging the reader to draw conclusions before answers are revealed.
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The Meaning of Relativity by Albert Einstein (Routledge, 2003)
In 1921, five years after proclaiming his general theory of relativity, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in recognition of his remarkable achievements. In the same year he travelled to the US to give four lectures that consolidated his theory and sought to explain its meaning to a new audience. These lectures were published the following year as 'The Meaning of Relativity', which he revised with each new edition until his death.
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Uncertainty: The life and science of Werner Heisenberg by David C Cassidy (W H Freeman, 1993)
Cassidy's portrait of this brilliant, ambitious and controversial scientist is arguably the definitive Heisenberg biography, combining meticulous scholarship with a presentation freed of intellectual jargon and unnecessary scientific details. Heisenberg is best known as a founder of quantum mechanics, and especially for the uncertainty principle in quantum theory.
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In Search of Schrödinger's Cat by John Gribbin (Corgi Books, 1985)
Tells the complete story of quantum mechanics, introducing the scientists who developed quantum theory. The author investigates with authority and humour, the atom, radiation, time travel, the birth of the Universe, superconductors and life itself. He brings readers to a clear understanding of the most important area of scientific study today – quantum physics.
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Quantum: A guide for the perplexed by Jim al-Khalili (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2003)
Quantum mechanics underpins modern science and technology and even provides us with a blueprint for reality itself, yet it has been said that if you think you understand it, you quite clearly don't. This book untangles the weirdness of the quantum world, explains the theories, explores their consequences and presents a cutting edge guide to the current state of the science.
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The New Quantum Universe by Anthony Hey and Patrick Walters (Cambridge University Press, 2003)
Provides an up-to-date and accessible introduction to the essential ideas of quantum physics, and demonstrates how it affects our everyday life. Using simple non-mathematical language, this book is suitable for final-year school students, science undergraduates, and anyone wishing to appreciate how physics allows the new technologies that are changing our lives.
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Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by A C Phillips (John Wiley and Sons, 2003)
Provides an introduction to the power of quantum mechanics. Assuming little in the way of prior knowledge, quantum concepts are carefully and precisely presented, and explored through applications and problems.
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QED: The strange theory of light and matter by Richard P Feynman (Penguin Books, 1990)
Quantum electrodynamics, or QED, is the revolutionary theory that explains how light and electrons interact. Thanks to the author and his colleagues, who won the Nobel Prize for this ground-breaking work, it is also one of the rare parts of physics that is known for sure, a theory that has stood the test of time. Based on a series of lectures delivered to the general public, Feynman here wittily explains the theory of quantum electrodynamics, the central aspect of much of modern physics.
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The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, hidden dimensions, and the quest for the ultimate theory by Brian Greene (Vintage Books, 2000)
A popular guide to string theory that tackles incredibly difficult concepts with stunning clarity, without over-simplifying. String theorist Brian Greene has the expertise and flair to compose a compelling and highly readable account of theoretical physics.
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The Search for Superstrings, Symmetry and the Theory of Everything by John Gribbin (Bay Back Books, 2000)
Examines superstring theory, following the major breakthroughs of the 1990s that offer critical insight into how subatomic particles work.
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Magic Universe: The Oxford guide to modern science by Nigel Calder (Oxford University Press, 2003)
A prolific author, BBC commentator and magazine editor, Nigel Calder draws on his vast experience to offer readers a lively, far-reaching look at modern science in all its glory. From quarks to linguistics, climate change to cloning, and chaos to superstrings, he presents self-contained stories, drawing on interviews with more than 200 researchers, from graduate students to Nobel Prize winners.
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A Brief History of Time from the Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking (Bantam Books, 1998)
In the decade since the book's publication in 1988, there have been dramatic developments in string theory, most notably the advances in understanding black holes. In this 10th anniversary edition of his book, Hawking updates the audience on the progress made in this area and tells us how many of his own predictions turned out to be right.
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The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking (Bantam Publishing, 2001)
The author of A Brief History of Time unravels the latest amazing breakthroughs in theoretical physics and guides the reader through the evolution of Einsteinian physics to a Universe of 10 dimensions and a so-called theory of everything. This book is much easier to understand than his previous one, with many charts and illustrations.
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The Tao of Physics: An exploration of the parallels between modern physics and eastern mysticism by Fritjof Capra (Shambhala Publications, 2002)
This has become a cult classic. Capra studies similarities between the concept of a harmonious Universe that emerges from the theories of quantum physics and the vision of a continuously interactive world conceived by eastern mystics. It's a great read.
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The Quantum Self: A revolutionary view of human nature and consciousness rooted in the new physics by Danah Zohar (Bloomsbury, 1990)
Combining physics, philosophy and psychology, this offers a revolutionary theory of the origins and nature of consciousness in terms of modern physics. Written in an accessible style that makes quantum physics comprehensible, this book aims to engage anyone interested in the dynamics of the human personality and its dialogue with the physical world.
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The solution? Everything, all the planets and galaxies of the Universe right down to the atoms on Earth, is made of string. Sound strange? It is.

Physicists think they are on the scent of an answer to everything – an answer that has the strangest of consequences. Are you ready to step into the 11th dimension?