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Book Review — Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku
Finished ‘Physics of the Impossible’ by Prof Kaku this morning. Michio Kaku is not just a theoretical physicist, he is a storyteller, a dreamer, and a bridge between the world of cutting-edge science and the realm of science fiction. In “Physics of the Impossible”, published in 2008, he explores technologies that seem impossible today but might one day become reality. From teleportation to time travel, from invisibility cloaks to faster-than-light travel, Kaku classifies these concepts into three categories: those that may be possible within a century, those that might take millennia, and those that truly violate the laws of physics.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is how Kaku blends pop culture with deep physics. His love for science fiction is evident, and he frequently references Star Trek, Back to the Future, The Wizard of Oz, Flash Gordon, and Men in Black to explain complex ideas. For someone unfamiliar with these movies, some references might feel lost, but they do make abstract theories more relatable.
Kaku himself was inspired to become a physicist after seeing a photo of Einstein’s cluttered desk at the time of his death. The idea that Einstein had died without completing his unified field theory fascinated him so much that he dedicated his career to continuing Einstein’s work. It is this same…
