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Quantum 2.0: The Past, Present, and Future of Quantum Physics
How did a radical new theory of nature – quantum mechanics – revolutionize our world?
Where might it take us next?
And why do we still not understand it?
In this exhilarating and sometimes mind-bending book, renowned scientist and author Paul Davies tells the gripping story of how, beginning with an iconic mathematical equation in the 1920s, a radical new theory of nature – quantum mechanics – burst upon the modern world, and how today we are on the cusp of the second great quantum technology revolution.
Quantum 2.0 reveals how exotic states of matter that have no counterpart in the everyday world are being harnessed to enable forms of teleportation and ‘spooky’ telepathic links between remote places. Powerful new tools such as quantum computers, quantum cryptography and the quantum internet have attracted billions of dollars of investments, triggering a frantic quantum arms race. And appearing on the horizon is the most awesome and game-changing prospect of all – quantum AI.
Yet underpinning this dazzling promise lies a paradox. Although quantum mechanics is the most successful scientific theory ever, quantum systems possess properties that defy intuition and shred everyday notions of reality. Albert Einstein could never quite believe it. And decades after Erwin Schrödinger introduced his famous cat paradox, scientists are still divided over how to make sense of the weird quantum realm, one where ghostly quantum particles produce tiny forces in nanotechnology, cause black holes to evaporate – and may even be making the universe expand faster and faster. Indeed, cosmologists believe, the imprint of a quantum process remains etched into the afterglow of the big bang.
Quantum 2.0 takes the reader gently from the basic concepts to the cutting edge, inviting us all to peek into the new wonderland of quantum physics and glimpse its stunning implications.
Where might it take us next?
And why do we still not understand it?
In this exhilarating and sometimes mind-bending book, renowned scientist and author Paul Davies tells the gripping story of how, beginning with an iconic mathematical equation in the 1920s, a radical new theory of nature – quantum mechanics – burst upon the modern world, and how today we are on the cusp of the second great quantum technology revolution.
Quantum 2.0 reveals how exotic states of matter that have no counterpart in the everyday world are being harnessed to enable forms of teleportation and ‘spooky’ telepathic links between remote places. Powerful new tools such as quantum computers, quantum cryptography and the quantum internet have attracted billions of dollars of investments, triggering a frantic quantum arms race. And appearing on the horizon is the most awesome and game-changing prospect of all – quantum AI.
Yet underpinning this dazzling promise lies a paradox. Although quantum mechanics is the most successful scientific theory ever, quantum systems possess properties that defy intuition and shred everyday notions of reality. Albert Einstein could never quite believe it. And decades after Erwin Schrödinger introduced his famous cat paradox, scientists are still divided over how to make sense of the weird quantum realm, one where ghostly quantum particles produce tiny forces in nanotechnology, cause black holes to evaporate – and may even be making the universe expand faster and faster. Indeed, cosmologists believe, the imprint of a quantum process remains etched into the afterglow of the big bang.
Quantum 2.0 takes the reader gently from the basic concepts to the cutting edge, inviting us all to peek into the new wonderland of quantum physics and glimpse its stunning implications.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
22 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Paul C.W. Davies
77 books576 followersPaul Charles William Davies AM is a British-born physicist, writer and broadcaster, currently a professor at Arizona State University as well as the Director of BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. He has held previous academic appointments at the University of Cambridge, University of London, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Adelaide and Macquarie University. His research interests are in the fields of cosmology, quantum field theory, and astrobiology. He has proposed that a one-way trip to Mars could be a viable option.
In 2005, he took up the chair of the SETI: Post-Detection Science and Technology Taskgroup of the International Academy of Astronautics.
In 2005, he took up the chair of the SETI: Post-Detection Science and Technology Taskgroup of the International Academy of Astronautics.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 9, 2026
I have become a little skeptical about reading popular science books on cutting-edge physics. These types of physics can only be truly explained using the language of mathematics. Our everyday perceptions and language can see and express the realities at our scale. However, physics at very small scales of atoms and particles, or at the very large scales of the universe, are so far away from our everyday experiences, at the human scale, that they sound magic-like. Even when explained by the best of minds, they remain unconvincing. Since we know physics is true and has been tested, as readers, we don't question the claims and explanations; instead, we look at it in awe and accept the magic without any deep understanding. It is not the writer's fault, but we are asking them to say it in a language that is simply inadequate.
However, our curiosity remains, and whether we fully appreciate it or not, we want to understand. There is a huge demand for these books. Despite my skepticism, I still decided to read this one for two reasons. First, it is written by one of my favorite science writers and a leading scientist in this area. Second, it is not just a book on Quantum physics; it focuses on the most recent applications of this strange science to new technologies that can change the world we live in.
Unlike other exotic physical theories, such as relativity or string theory, which are astounding in their imagination and explainability but have little impact on our daily lives, quantum physics has had an enormous impact on the technology we use every day. The majority of the global economy would not have been possible without the technological applications of this physics. Computers, lasers, GPS, and a host of other gadgets are direct applications of quantum physics. Yet we are standing at the threshold of a new range of even more exotic technologies, all applications of this science. In the next few years and decades, we will see these technologies changing almost everything we do. These would include quantum computers, quantum cryptography, and probably quantum biology.
The book first familiarizes the readers with the basics of quantum physics. As I mentioned before, these explanations are possibly the best one can do without involving mathematics. In the next section, he describes how these are being used in building new technologies of immense power. The author then takes us into a world where scientists still don't agree, but the possibilities are fascinating. This is the area of quantum biology and questions of consciousness. The author does a brilliant job of explaining these possibilities as lucidly as possible. In the final section of the book, the author explores some of the most vexing philosophical challenges of the quantum world.
If you are lukewarm about this book, I think you should still read it for the last section. It is brilliantly organized and exquisitely explained.
However, our curiosity remains, and whether we fully appreciate it or not, we want to understand. There is a huge demand for these books. Despite my skepticism, I still decided to read this one for two reasons. First, it is written by one of my favorite science writers and a leading scientist in this area. Second, it is not just a book on Quantum physics; it focuses on the most recent applications of this strange science to new technologies that can change the world we live in.
Unlike other exotic physical theories, such as relativity or string theory, which are astounding in their imagination and explainability but have little impact on our daily lives, quantum physics has had an enormous impact on the technology we use every day. The majority of the global economy would not have been possible without the technological applications of this physics. Computers, lasers, GPS, and a host of other gadgets are direct applications of quantum physics. Yet we are standing at the threshold of a new range of even more exotic technologies, all applications of this science. In the next few years and decades, we will see these technologies changing almost everything we do. These would include quantum computers, quantum cryptography, and probably quantum biology.
The book first familiarizes the readers with the basics of quantum physics. As I mentioned before, these explanations are possibly the best one can do without involving mathematics. In the next section, he describes how these are being used in building new technologies of immense power. The author then takes us into a world where scientists still don't agree, but the possibilities are fascinating. This is the area of quantum biology and questions of consciousness. The author does a brilliant job of explaining these possibilities as lucidly as possible. In the final section of the book, the author explores some of the most vexing philosophical challenges of the quantum world.
If you are lukewarm about this book, I think you should still read it for the last section. It is brilliantly organized and exquisitely explained.
December 18, 2025
Unlike the general theory of relativity or cosmology, quantum physics is an aspect of physics that has had a huge impact on everyday lives, particularly through the deployment of electronics, but also, for example, where superconductivity has led to practical applications. But when Paul Davies is talking about version 2.0, he is specifically describing quantum information, where quantum particles and systems are used in information technology. This obviously includes quantum computers, but Davies also brings in, for example, the potential for quantum AI technology.
Quantum computers have been discussed for decades - algorithms had already been written for them as early as the 1990s - but it's only now that they are starting to become usable devices, not at the personal level but in servers. In his usual approachable style, Davies gives us four chapters bringing us up to speed on quantum basics, but then brings in quantum computing. After this we don't get solid quantum information theory, but a mix of this and the more exotic aspects of quantum physics from teleportation, through quantum biology and vacuum energy to black holes and time travel.
It's all good fun and informative if you haven't read about quantum theory before, though much of this extra material has been well covered elsewhere - I would have preferred a book focussed solely on quantum information theory and its implications (including, of course, that quantum AI). Davies is definitely an enthusiastic tour guide on this trip around the quantum.
Unfortunately, that enthusiasm has something of a downside. There are plenty of limitations to quantum computers. Not only are they tricky to keep going, and to get information usefully in and out of, they are not general purpose - quantum computing algorithms are limited. This doesn't always come across, for example in the suggestion of using them in climate modelling. Scientific claims in the early stages of technology transfer need to be strongly monitored for the tendency of university press offices (and researchers eager for funding) to over-promise and under-deliver. There is no sense of testing viability here. Similarly, when describing a fairly unlikely means of detecting dark matter's presence using quantum technology, Davies gives us no clue that there is a strong alternative theory that dark matter particles don't even exist. The particle theory is stated as if fact.
Increasingly popular science goes beyond the 'gee-wow, this is what we know' to give a clearer picture of the gaps in our knowledge. And this could have been done better. But this doesn't make it a bad book - and Davies does a great job on the quantum basics and the theory behind quantum computing.
Quantum computers have been discussed for decades - algorithms had already been written for them as early as the 1990s - but it's only now that they are starting to become usable devices, not at the personal level but in servers. In his usual approachable style, Davies gives us four chapters bringing us up to speed on quantum basics, but then brings in quantum computing. After this we don't get solid quantum information theory, but a mix of this and the more exotic aspects of quantum physics from teleportation, through quantum biology and vacuum energy to black holes and time travel.
It's all good fun and informative if you haven't read about quantum theory before, though much of this extra material has been well covered elsewhere - I would have preferred a book focussed solely on quantum information theory and its implications (including, of course, that quantum AI). Davies is definitely an enthusiastic tour guide on this trip around the quantum.
Unfortunately, that enthusiasm has something of a downside. There are plenty of limitations to quantum computers. Not only are they tricky to keep going, and to get information usefully in and out of, they are not general purpose - quantum computing algorithms are limited. This doesn't always come across, for example in the suggestion of using them in climate modelling. Scientific claims in the early stages of technology transfer need to be strongly monitored for the tendency of university press offices (and researchers eager for funding) to over-promise and under-deliver. There is no sense of testing viability here. Similarly, when describing a fairly unlikely means of detecting dark matter's presence using quantum technology, Davies gives us no clue that there is a strong alternative theory that dark matter particles don't even exist. The particle theory is stated as if fact.
Increasingly popular science goes beyond the 'gee-wow, this is what we know' to give a clearer picture of the gaps in our knowledge. And this could have been done better. But this doesn't make it a bad book - and Davies does a great job on the quantum basics and the theory behind quantum computing.
February 2, 2026
Quantum is weird. And long winded.
Not for me, I have a science PhD (not in quantum physics) and struggled to follow it. It started fairly well but I would have given up half-way except for trying to hit a Goodreads target.
Not for me, I have a science PhD (not in quantum physics) and struggled to follow it. It started fairly well but I would have given up half-way except for trying to hit a Goodreads target.
January 4, 2026
Really enjoyed this book and learnt quite a few new paradoxes to exercise the mind. felt it was nicely up to date and looking to the future with quantum 2.0.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews