A review by terrypaulpearce
The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World by David Deutsch

5.0

This book is astoundingly good. Definitely the best non-fiction I've read since Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow. Maybe better, even. Deutsch starts with explanations being the basis for knowledge, and builds up basic, hard-to-argue-with principles into convincing monoliths that smash some conventional interpretations of knowledge, science and philosophy to tiny pieces. He gives the most understandable insight I've yet had into quantum physics and in particularly the many universes theory, and he has this way of taking on giants (like Dawkins, Jared Diamond, half the current interpreters of quantum theory, and many more besides) with unshakable doggedness and in most cases bringing me round. His breadth is amazing -- he talks about AI, the history of science and philosophy, maths, science fiction, cosmology, the nature of intelligence, prediction, quantum theory, SETI, the nature of truth in 'soft' subjects, policymaking and government... I'm not sure I 100% agree with everything here -- like many with a central idea I wonder if he connects it too far, or ignores other factors sometimes, but he has changed and challenged my thinking on a number of issues, and helped me better understand what good science is all about. The narration is one of the best I've come across as well -- really clear and engaging.