The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett III

Alastair Wilson, Metascience The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett III deserves to be widely read. It is comprehensive as a biography; satisfactory as an introduction to Everettian Quantum Mechanics; illuminating as a study in the psychology of physicists and of operations researchers; and engaging as a human story. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in quantum theory.

Alexander Pawlak, Physik Journal The book provides new insights into the development and the later Renaissance of the "many worlds" theory. I am recommending the anthology to anyone interested in the theory's physical or philosophical implications, and in the pro and con arguments [...]

Adrian Kent, American Journal of Physics Byrne's narrative compels serious attention, contains much important new material, is greatly enlivened and enhanced by his eagle eye for the telling quotation, and is always interesting and often convincing. It should intrigue any student of twentieth century physics, and is also a valuable resource for anyone concerned with the broader eduction of the scientists and the impact narrowly scientific ways of thinking can have on scientists themselves and on the wider world.

Manjit Kumar Vivid and thoroughly researched. Byrne does an admirable job of weaving together quantum mechanics, nuclear war games and the disintegration of a dysfunctional family in this tale of a talented scientist, but morally compromised man.

Science News The book offers a valuable source of primary information about Everett's life and work, with much material not available elsewhere, [and] fleshes out an important part of the quantum physics story.

Ian T. Durham, The Quantum Times Peter Byrne's meticulously researched biography provides a detailed and intimate look at one of the most seminal figures in 20th century physics and mathematics ... it is a remarkable and long-overdue biography.

Tom Siegfried, ScienceNews Offers a valuable source of primary information about Everetts life and work, with much material not available elsewhere ... this book fleshes out an important part of the quantum physics story.

Robert P. Crease, Nature The many worlds theory is still garish after all these years. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to read the story of its creator, himself too obsessed with models to intersect effectively with the real world.

New Scientist Byrne does an excellent job of explaining the theory, why it is necessary and the difficulties it solves (and doesn't). [...] Byrne does not patronise his readers with superficial pen portraits of his characters. We get to know the characters by what they say and what they do. And they say and do some truly remarkable things. [...] This is a strangely beautiful story, expertly told with the dignity, candour and attention to detail it deserves.

Robert Matthews, BBC Focus Magazine The effort Byrne has put in to understanding the man is impressive ...

Kenneth W. Ford, retired ...

<br>Peter Byrne is an investigative reporter and science writer based in northern California. He has written for Scientific American, Mother Jones, Salon.com, SF Weekly, North Bay Bohemian, and many other magazines and newsweeklies. He has received national recognition for his investigative reporting, including from Investigative Editors & Reporters and Project Censored. He a member of the Foundational Questions Institute, which has supported this book with a large grant. He has made presentations on Everett at University of Oxford, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and University of California, Irvine. He consulted on (and appeared in) the BBC4 production about Everett, Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives. He is curating the Everett papers.<br>

BOOK 1: BEGINNINGS; Introduction: The Story of Q; 1. Family Origins: a Sketch; 2. Katharine: the Dark Star; 3. The Scientist as a Young Man; 4. Stranger in Paradise; BOOK 2: GAME WORLD; 5. Demigods; 6. Decisions, Decisions-the Theory of Games; 7. Origin of MAD; 8. von Neumann's Legacy; BOOK 3: QUANTUM WORLD; 9. Quantum Everett; 10. More on the Measurement Problem; 11. Collapse and Complementarity; 12. The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics; BOOK 4: EVERETT AND WHEELER; 13. Wheeler: the Radical Conservative; 14. Genesis of Many Worlds; 15. Alone in the Room; 16. Tour of Many Worlds; 17. The Battle with Copenhagen, Part I; 18. The Battle with Copenhagen, Part II; 19. The Chapel Hill Affair; BOOK 5: POSSIBLE WORLD FUTURES; 20. Preparing for World War III; 21. From Wargasm to Looking Glass; 22. Fallout; BOOK 6: CROSSROADS; 23. A Bell Jar World; 24. A Vacation in Copenhagen; BOOK 7: ASSURED DESTRUCTION; 25. Everett and Report 50; 26. Everett and the SIOP; BOOK 8: TRANSITIONS; 27. Behind Closed Doors; 28. Death's Other Kingdoms; BOOK 9: BELTWAY BANDIT; 29. Weaponeering; 30. The Bayesian Machine; 31. The Death of Lambda; BOOK 10: MANY WORLDS REBORN; 32. DeWitt to the Rescue; 33. Records in Time; 34. Austin; 35. Wheeler Recants; BOOK 11: AMERICAN TRAGEDY; 36. The Final Years; 37. Aftermath; BOOK 12: EVERETT'S LEGACY; 38. Modern Everett; 39. Everett Goes to Oxford; Epilogue: Beyond Many Worlds; BOOK 1: BEGINNINGS; Introduction: The Story of Q; 1. Family Origins: a Sketch; 2. Katharine: the Dark Star; 3. The Scientist as a Young Man; 4. Stranger in Paradise; BOOK 2: GAME WORLD; 5. Demigods; 6. Decisions, Decisions-the Theory of Games; 7. Origin of MAD; 8. von Neumann's Legacy; BOOK 3: QUANTUM WORLD; 9. Quantum Everett; 10. More on the Measurement Problem; 11. Collapse and Complementarity; 12. The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics; BOOK 4: EVERETT AND WHEELER; 13. Wheeler: the Radical Conservative; 14. Genesis of Many Worlds; 15. Alone in the Room; 16. Tour of Many Worlds; 17. The Battle with Copenhagen, Part I; 18. The Battle with Copenhagen, Part II; 19. The Chapel Hill Affair; BOOK 5: POSSIBLE WORLD FUTURES; 20. Preparing for World War III; 21. From Wargasm to Looking Glass; 22. Fallout; BOOK 6: CROSSROADS; 23. A Bell Jar World; 24. A Vacation in Copenhagen; BOOK 7: ASSURED DESTRUCTION; 25. Everett and Report 50; 26. Everett and the SIOP; BOOK 8: TRANSITIONS; 27. Behind Closed Doors; 28. Death's Other Kingdoms; BOOK 9: BELTWAY BANDIT; 29. Weaponeering; 30. The Bayesian Machine; 31. The Death of Lambda; BOOK 10: MANY WORLDS REBORN; 32. DeWitt to the Rescue; 33. Records in Time; 34. Austin; 35. Wheeler Recants; BOOK 11: AMERICAN TRAGEDY; 36. The Final Years; 37. Aftermath; BOOK 12: EVERETT'S LEGACY; 38. Modern Everett; 39. Everett Goes to Oxford; Epilogue: Beyond Many Worlds