The Royal Society (original, CC BY-SA 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); crop by Duncan.Hull (CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons

Jim Al-Khalili

Theoretical nuclear physicist; University of Surrey

A theoretical physicist whose research spans nuclear physics, quantum biology, and the quantum arrow of time. His reading selections connect scientific discovery with accessible explanations of modern physics.

Wikipedia fallback

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Hard Science Physics

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0About

3Recommended books

Books Jim Al-Khalili recommends, documented so far

Each book appears once; every source record and quote remains linked to its evidence and the canonical book profile.

Physics Science Memoir Curiosity

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

by Richard Feynman & Ralph Leighton · 1985

Author signal

Richard Feynman · Nobel physicist

Ralph Leighton · Co-author

Everyone should read this book, because it gets across why a subject like physics is so enjoyable.

Exact quote verified · Recommended

Evidence details

Physics Books that Inspired Me

We captured the recommendation language from the source.

Five Books · 2020-02-27 · accessed 2026-09-30

interview · Direct Five Books interview

The Feynman section contains an explicit instruction to read the book. Interview updated 2022-11-27.

Open source

Amazon Audible Bookshop.orgAffiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through some links. Recommendations are included because of the source, not because of the retailer. Details

Physics Time Science

The Order of Time

by Carlo Rovelli · 2018

Author signal

Carlo Rovelli · Theoretical physicist

Documented citation: Selected by Jim Al-Khalili for his five science books to take on holiday.

Documented citation · Recommended

Evidence details

The Best Science Books to Take on Holiday

This source documents the book relationship, but the displayed text is a catalog summary rather than a verbatim quote.

Five Books · 2019-06-13 · accessed 2026-09-30

interview · Direct Five Books interview

The named reading list and fourth book discussion directly identify The Order of Time as his selection. Interview updated 2025-05-17; catalog text is a citation paraphrase.

Open source

Bookshop.orgAffiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through some links. Recommendations are included because of the source, not because of the retailer. Details

Physics Quantum Physics Science

Beyond Weird

by Philip Ball · 2018

Author signal

Philip Ball · Book author

Documented citation: Selected by Jim Al-Khalili for his five science books to take on holiday.

Documented citation · Recommended

Evidence details

The Best Science Books to Take on Holiday

This source documents the book relationship, but the displayed text is a catalog summary rather than a verbatim quote.

Five Books · 2019-06-13 · accessed 2026-09-30

interview · Direct Five Books interview

The first named book and accompanying discussion establish a direct reading-list selection. Updated 2025-05-17. Catalog wording is a citation paraphrase.

Open source

Bookshop.orgAffiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through some links. Recommendations are included because of the source, not because of the retailer. Details