Event

‹ Prev

Next ›


	The Joy of Science by Jim Al-Khalili Price $16.95 Hardcover In Stock

Jim Al-Khalili at Harvard Science Center

presenting

The Joy of Science

Date

Oct

Thursday
October 19, 2023
6:00 PM ET
(Doors at 5:30 PM)

Location

Harvard Science Center Hall C
1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA

Tickets

$0.00 (Free RSVP Required)

Buy Tickets »

$18.01 (book included)

Buy Tickets »

Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University Division of Science, and the Harvard Library welcome JIM AL-KHALILI—Distinguished Chair in Physics at the University of Surrey—for a discussion of his new book The Joy of Science.

Ticketing

There are two ticket options available for this event. Al-Khalili will sign copies of his book after the presentation.

Free General Admission Ticket: Includes admission for one.

Book-Included Ticket: Includes admission for one and one hardcover copy of The Joy of Science.

About The Joy of Science

Today’s world is unpredictable and full of contradictions, and navigating its complexities while trying to make the best decisions is far from easy. The Joy of Science presents eight short lessons on how to unlock the clarity, empowerment, and joy of thinking and living a little more scientifically.

In this brief guide to leading a more rational life, acclaimed physicist Jim Al-Khalili invites readers to engage with the world as scientists have been trained to do. The scientific method has served humankind well in its quest to see things as they really are, and underpinning the scientific method are core principles that can help us all navigate modern life more confidently. Discussing the nature of truth and uncertainty, the role of doubt, the pros and cons of simplification, the value of guarding against bias, the importance of evidence-based thinking, and more, Al-Khalili shows how the powerful ideas at the heart of the scientific method are deeply relevant to the complicated times we live in and the difficult choices we make.

Read this book and discover the joy of science. It will empower you to think more objectively, see through the fog of your own preexisting beliefs, and lead a more fulfilling life.

Praise for The Joy of Science

“Jim Al-Khalili has distilled the very essence of science. This book is packed full of joy, inspiration, and real wisdom.” ―Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement in Science, University of Birmingham

“This pithy and insightful book provides readers with a collection of fun and timely ideas in an accessible way.” ―Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden

“Jim Al-Khalili eloquently reminds us of all the reasons to celebrate science. A lovely little book that will serve you well as a trusted guide in this troubled post-truth era.” ―Sabine Hossenfelder, physicist and author of Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray

Mask Policy

Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.

Jim Al-Khalili

Jim Al-Khalili is an Iraqi-born theoretical physicist at the University of Surrey, where he holds a Distinguished Chair in physics as well as a university chair in the public engagement in science. He is also a prominent author and broadcaster. He has written 14 books on popular science and the history of science, between them translated into twenty-six languages. His latest books include The Joy of Science and The World According to Physics, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Book Prize. He is a regular presenter of TV science documentaries, such as the Bafta nominated Chemistry: a Volatile History, and he hosts the long-running weekly BBC Radio 4 program, The Life Scientific.

There is NO PARKING at the Science Center. For those traveling to the Science Center by car, there is paid public parking in Harvard Square. More info here.

Unable to attend a Harvard Book Store author event? You can still pre-order a signed book by one of our visiting authors.

While we can't guarantee fulfillment of a signed book pre-order, our authors are almost always able to sign extra books to fulfill such orders.

Ordering a signed book on harvard.com:

Add the book to your shopping cart and then click Checkout.
Specify in Order Comments that you want a signed copy of the book.
Please note: online orders for signed copies must be placed at least one business day before the event. If you are ordering the day of, please call us instead.

Ordering a signed book by phone:

Call us at (617) 661-1515 and one of our booksellers will take your order. Specify you'd like a signed copy.
If you are requesting a personalized inscription and/or requesting your book be shipped, we'll need to take down credit card information. If you are planning to pick up the signed book in the store, you can pay on pick-up.

FAQ:

Can I request a personalized inscription?
Unless otherwise noted, we are happy to take requests for the author to sign your book to a specific person, but we can't guarantee it. If you do get a personalized inscription, the book will be non-returnable. We will require credit card information when you place the order.

Do signed books cost more?
There is no extra fee for a signed book!

Do I have to pick it up in the store, or can you deliver my signed book?
As with all web or phone orders, we can hold your book for in-store pickup, or ship it anywhere in the country.

I am planning to attend an author event. Do I need to pre-order a book?
No need. We'll be selling books at the event, and nearly all of our events include a signing at the end of the talk.

More questions? Give us a call!

Event Series: Harvard Science Book Talks

The Harvard Science Book Talks series is a collaboration between the Harvard University Division of Science, the Harvard Library, and Harvard Book Store. The series features talks by the authors of recently published books on a variety of science-related topics and is open to both the Harvard community and to the general public. Typically, lectures are followed by a book signing with the author and refreshments. Learn more and watch recordings of past talks here.