Informative

I decided to approach Steven Weinberg's "Dreams of a Final Theory" because it is an area about which I know little. The Audible offering of the book is very good. I seek out books that are well read, well written and informative. This audio volume wins on all three counts.

I came to the book as less than a novice. I caught onto the authors points without a deep understanding of math, E=MC2 or anything of the kind. His chapter, "On a Piece of Chalk," introduced basic principles of Atomic Theory in a clear way. His placement of physics into historical context was particularly helpful.

If you are a novice and would like to learn something new - this may well be worth your time. It was worth the time so far as I was concerned.

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If you don't know who he is, look him up

Would you listen to Dreams of a Final Theory again? Why?

yes. it's a great book. It is a tad brief but still enjoyable

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30 years out of date!

So much for the ‘freebie’!
I repeat, so much for the freebie!!
Final 3 words.

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Wait for it!

At times it was a little over my head but that is why we read books that challenge us. The last three chapters were pure delight.

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An authors self ingratiating exercise masquerading as a fancy textbook.

There was some worthwhile information but could only make halfway through before his opinions on everything became too much to deal with. Even his voice is arrogant despite little original thought.

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Jumps around a bit and assumes some knowledge.

I like to listen to books about the history of science and some of the concepts of physics. This book brings up a lot of concepts without explanation. For example, when he mentions the Standard Model, he assumes the reader knows what that his. Presentation is OK, comes across somewhat haughty. This is not the place to learn about physics. Stick to the Great Courses for that.

Slightly aged but still fascinating

The book is slightly aged but still a fascinating story of Science. Great reader - great listening

Is there anything this author cannot do?

Not only is the author by all accounts a giant in modern physics but it turns out he's a graceful and passionate writer. Not fair that one person can do all of that!

He sets himself the task of making non-scientists like me care about the most obscure aspects of elementary particle physics. You don't know what elementary particie physics is? Neither did I! And I would say that 20% or more of what Weinberg writes in this book went right over my head. But it didn't subtract from my joy in the book, which at its core is a celebration of human curiosity and diligence in cracking the code to the most fundamental laws of nature. You emerge staggered by what human beings, when they collaborate, are capable of.

The book is an act of intellectual generosity -- a researcher taking time away from his research to explain his field to those who don't understand it. Steven Weinberg died this year -- let's tip our hat to an extraordinary man.

Out of date

Science doesn't stop. Quickly upon starting to listen one is tripped up by statements evidencing that things have moved on and what is being heard acquires the shade of unreliability and being behind the curve.

great overview

was a great explanation of the basics and history of particle physics. Written at a level that was challenging to a novice. But still very accessible.