Amazon.co.uk Review
Apart from a few promising prototypes, quantum computers don't really exist yet, but never mind that--the very thought of them is enough to give a geek goosebumps. Imagine it: a computer capable of processing data not just on your desktop but in a million parallel universes all at once. The concept sounds like science fiction, but the freaky laws of quantum physics make it a concrete possibility. And the implications--as science journalist Julian Brown makes plain in Minds, Machines and the Multiverse: The Quest for the Quantum Computer, a daunting yet consistently gripping look at quantum computation's high frontiers--are sweeping.

Computers powered by quantum weirdness, Brown tells us, could outperform existing machines to astronomical degrees, solving in minutes problems classical computers might take millennia to work through. But more to the point, the theoretical research that is making quantum computers plausible--led by gifted physicists like Rolf Landauer, David Deutsch and the late Richard Feynman--has already opened up intriguing new ways of thinking about the world and about computation's place in it.

But Brown shows equal commitment to explaining not only what makes quantum computers fascinating but what makes them work. This is not, in other words, a book for those who blanch at the sight of complex equations and circuit diagrams. Still, Brown's explanations, while dense with information, are unerringly lucid, and anyone who sticks with them to the end will come away with exactly what this book promises: a penetrating understanding of a mind-bending technology. --Julian Dibbell, amazon.com

Review
Charles H. Bennett IBM Fellow, Thomas J. Watson Research CenterAn eminently readable account of recent developments in quantum information science, their philosophical implications, and what (if any) relation quantum mechanics might have to human consciousness.

See all Product Description

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	54% buy The Fabric of Reality: Towards a Theory of Everything 4.4 out of 5 stars (27) �7.69
	46% buy the item featured on this page: Minds, Machines, and the Multiverse: The Quest for the Quantum Computer 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)

Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quantum learning leap, 15 Aug 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Quest for the Quantum Computer (Paperback)

A vigorous, detailed and penetrating tour de force into the fascinating realm of quantum physics and computability is what science journalist Julian Brown brings us in 'Quest for the Quantum Computer.' Brown's extensive coverage of quantum theory for New Scientist has paid off handsomely. The author, in clean and not excessively technical prose, gives a detail-studded and insightful account of the development of the concept of quantum computing. Despite all the media hype and hubbub, I had no accurate idea of what was meant by quantum computing -- until I read 'Quest.' Some sections, though requiring little or no mathematical background, nevertherless require use of one's mathematical faculties. But even if these sections are skimmed, a general reader comes away satisfied that he or she has learnt a great deal. Brown's commitment to professionalism is shown by inclusion of numerous illustrations, eight appendices on technicalities, a useful bibliography and careful chapter notes.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reading, 15 April 2003

By	"kleinmon" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quest for the Quantum Computer (Paperback)

Very interesting book with a good historical overview of the subject. Relatively easy reading with no formulas but consequently for a scientist a little superficial. I liked it and will also read some of the references in this book.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 2 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; }

Customer Discussions

Beta (What's this?)

This product's forum (0 discussions)

	Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
	No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Prompts for sign-in

[Cancel]

Guidelines

Listmania!

Top US Televison: A list by S. Baptie
must have dvd's if you got HDMI dvd player: A list by Guy Maimon "gmaimon"
Fantastic DVD Series (for when there's owt else on...): A list by Mr. Tim D. Patmore "Magic Lemur"

Create a Listmania! list

Feedback

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.

Quantum Entanglement and...

It has been recognised recently that the strange features of the... Read more
£49.40

›Find similar items

Let Olay Amaze You

Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

We've Got Converse

Stock up on your favourite styles with great deals on Converse shoes.

›Shop Converse

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

Where's My Stuff?

track your recent orders
view or change your orders in Your Account

Delivery and Returns

see our delivery rates and policies
thinking of returning an item? (See our Returns Policy)

Need Help?

Forgot your password?
Buy Gift Certificates.
still have questions? Visit our Help Pages

Your Recent History

(What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

4.5 out of 5 stars (72)�3.86

Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer

4.1 out of 5 stars (457)�6.49

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

4.1 out of 5 stars (161)�3.99

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

4.2 out of 5 stars (80)�3.86


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon

Minds, Machines, and the Multiverse: The Quest for the Quantum Computer [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product details

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

Product Description