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The Science of Discworld
- Revised Edition
- Narrated by: Stephen Briggs, Michael Fenton Stevens
- Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins
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The Science of Discworld
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Summary
In the 'fantasy' universe of the phenomenally bestselling Discworld series, everything runs on magic and common sense. The world is flat and million-to-one chances happen nine times out of ten. Our world seems different - it runs on rules, often rather strange ones. Science is our way of finding out what those rules are. The appeal of Discworld is that it mostly makes sense, in a way that particle physics does not. The Science of Discworld uses the magic of Discworld to illuminate the scientific rules that govern our world. When a wizardly experiment goes adrift, the wizards of Unseen University find themselves with a pocket universe on their hands: Roundworld, where neither magic nor common sense seems to stand a chance against logic. Roundworld is, of course, our own universe. With us inside it(eventually). Guided (if that's the word) by the wizards, we follow its story from the primal singularity of the Big Bang to the Internet and beyond. We discover how puny and insignificant individual lives are against a cosmic backdrop of creation and disaster. Yet, paradoxically, we see how the richness of a universe based on rules has led to a complex world and at least one species that tried to get a grip on what was going on. . .
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What listeners say about The Science of Discworld
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Capt.SamVimes
- 20-01-22
Who Knew? Not Me…
I love Sir Terry’s Discworld anthology and I love natural history. A great way of getting across, what for some, can be a dry subject.
Personally I think this book (and probably it’s following volumes) would be a good addition to the curriculum for pupils in Years 5 and 6 in primary schools.
Personally I think anyone would enjoy this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- tru.gough
- 06-11-22
easy science
loved this book it teaches you complex science in an easy and humourous way.
I have had thoughts I did not think I was capable of because of this book
brilliant
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr C.
- 01-12-15
Surprisingly Dense!
What made the experience of listening to The Science of Discworld the most enjoyable?
This is everything you would expect from the characters of unseen university applying their methods, and narrative luck in creating our universe.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Archchancellor Ridcully is always a favourite, as he bumbles along with an air of being above is staff, but always enjoys sinking to their level.
Which character – as performed by Stephen Briggs and Michael Fenton Stevens – was your favourite?
Rincewind's downtrodden demeanour comes across fantastically as with all of Stephen's Briggs' performances.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
That's a slightly odd question as it's not really an emotional book, but it certainly did make me laugh throughout.
Any additional comments?
Definitely not something to have on in the background and well worth a re-listen as it's absolutely crammed full of the scientific principles and theories that govern our round world.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- J
- 09-04-13
great mix
a great mix of disc world story and real life science. explains where some of the ideas for disc world came from. The science is very informative but written in a way that is easy to understand. The disc world parts have Terry Pratchetts normal humor. Mainly set in unseen university with the wizards.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Miika
- 09-09-12
Micge
Science has never been this entertaining. Complex themes are well presented, then dissected and lastly presented in Discworld terms. Had a happy smile the whole way through and many things make much more sense now.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Paul Charnock
- 15-10-18
Telling lies to children
Obviously a must for any Discworld fan but also a must for anyone interested in the true nature of Science and on what makes humans tick.
Hugely entertaining and gives a great synopsis of the history of the Universe, the real nature of matter, evolution and the history of the Earth.
Next time you tell your children that the Bogeyman is real, don't feel so bad about it, the world of science it seems is doing the same sort of thing all the time.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Phil Smith
- 13-04-13
Great stuff
A really intelligent book that mixes the fantasy of the discworld with the magic of real world science. Really enjoyed the humour and would recommend this to Discworld fans as well as others.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lisa, Oxfordshire
- 19-09-21
Roundworld science in narrative form
If you are interested in how the real universe works but can’t get to grips with the mathematical side of things, this audiobook is a must.
Written in narrative form, with examples given by Discworld characters and lore, The Science of Discworld combines STP’s skill for storytelling, his comical observations of the Roundworld, and actual science to explain how our Universe works.
You don’t need to have read much - or any - Discworld to understand this book, but it will add an extra dimension of enjoyment if you’re familiar with the characters and lore.
The Science of Discworld is informative, funny and interesting. The examples given are memorable and brought to life in STP’s inimitable style. Highly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. J. C. Sheppard
- 14-06-22
Turtle Science
Good fun to listen to. some very interesting stuff, especially from the Wizards
I even learned a few things
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sir Bazile
- 12-05-22
Outstanding Layman Explanation's
Seriously has all the science there, and some startlingly surprising examples. I believe that even Penny Hofsteader would understand.
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