The Art of Physics
15 January 2026Imprint: Ithaka
Synopsis
'Exceptionally interesting' Alain de Botton
'A book that will transform how you understand human behaviour' Thomas Erikson
'Insightful and entertaining' Cal Newport
'Fascinating ... You'll never again view your own world in quite the same way' Ian Stewart
Can physics change your life? It already has.
In The Art of Physics, Zahaan Bharmal explains eight ideas from physics that have transformed his view of everyday life and will do the same for you.
Far from being abstract, he argues, physics can help us answer very human questions, questions like: Why are some relationships unstable, while others last a lifetime? Why does inequality persist? And why do we all make so many irrational decisions?
Drawing on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, chaos and complexity theory, materials science and more, The Art of Physics reveals the hidden, surprising, and sometimes beautiful ways in which physics can help us to make sense of an unpredictable world. Ultimately, it shows how by embracing the paradoxes and uncertainty at the core of physics, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and our universe.
A deeply personal and thoroughly entertaining tour of life, the universe, and everything.
'A book that will transform how you understand human behaviour' Thomas Erikson
'Insightful and entertaining' Cal Newport
'Fascinating ... You'll never again view your own world in quite the same way' Ian Stewart
Can physics change your life? It already has.
In The Art of Physics, Zahaan Bharmal explains eight ideas from physics that have transformed his view of everyday life and will do the same for you.
Far from being abstract, he argues, physics can help us answer very human questions, questions like: Why are some relationships unstable, while others last a lifetime? Why does inequality persist? And why do we all make so many irrational decisions?
Drawing on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, chaos and complexity theory, materials science and more, The Art of Physics reveals the hidden, surprising, and sometimes beautiful ways in which physics can help us to make sense of an unpredictable world. Ultimately, it shows how by embracing the paradoxes and uncertainty at the core of physics, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and our universe.
A deeply personal and thoroughly entertaining tour of life, the universe, and everything.
Details
15 January 2026256 pages
9781804186466Imprint: Ithaka
Reviews
'Exceptionally interesting'Alain de Botton
'A book that will transform how you understand human behaviour'Thomas Erikson, author of Surrounded by Idiots
'In his insightful and entertaining new book, Zahaan Bharmal applies lessons from physics to identify elegant explanations for our messy world'Cal Newport, author of Slow Productivity and Deep Work
'Fascinating ... You'll never again view your own world in quite the same way. Entertaining, informative, and a delight to read'Ian Stewart, author of Do Dice Play God?
