There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness

One of the most inspiring thinkers of our age transforms the way we think about the world with his reflections on science, history and humanityOne of our most beloved scientists, a fearless free spirit, Carlo Rovelli is also a masterful storyteller. In this collection of writings, the logbook of an intelligence always on the move, he follows his curiosity and invites us on a voyage through science, literature, philosophy and politics.Written with his usual clarity and wit, these pieces, most of which were first published in Italian newspapers, range widely across time and space- from Newton's alchemy to Einstein's mistakes, from Nabokov's butterflies to Dante's cosmology, from travels in Africa to the consciousness of an octopus, from mind-altering psychedelic substances to the meaning of atheism. Charming, pithy and elegant, this book is the perfect gateway to the universe of one of the most influential physicists of our age.

“Rovelli opens windows onto the imagination for all of us”

Superb. Rovelli's journalism is an expression of the scientific desire to know and understand the world. Beautifully translated by Erica Segre and Simon Carnell, There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important than Kindness continues a tradition of jargon-free popular scientific writing from Galileo to Darwin that disappeared in the academic specialization of the last century -- Ian Thomson Evening Standard
With the publication of his million-selling book Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Rovelli took his place with Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman as one of the great popularisers of modern theoretical physics -- Sam Leith Spectator
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius for our age -- Robert Fox
Modern physics has found its poet. . . Rovelli is a wonderfully humane, gentle and witty guide for he is as much philosopher and poet as he is a scientist -- John Banville Irish Times
The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics -- Bryan Appleyard Sunday Times
A joy of a book - enriching, illuminating, eclectic and far from a conventional science read. . . showcases the light and shade of Rovelli's writing, and the passion for knowledge and curiosity that make him such an engaging writer . . . We need more Rovellis -- Richard Webb New Scientist
Rovelli is a brilliant and lucid teacher who uses his understanding of theoretical physics and the quantum world to talk about the complexity of our everyday reality -- Russell Brand
This short collection of writings has something to offer for avid admirers of his work and new Rovelli readers alike Science Focus
It remains rare for even the most talented science writers to fuse their work with a deep knowledge of the arts. One such rarity is Carlo Rovelli who, like some intellectual throwback to antiquity, treats the sciences and the humanities as complementary areas of knowledge and is a subtle interpreter of both. . . These finely wrought essays draw on an impressive hinterland of cultural and scientific learning. . . an entertaining and enlightening journey -- Andrew Anthony Observer
-- Antony Gormley
Carlo Rovelli, one of our age's most inspiring thinkers, offers intellectual adventures for the curious Time Out
Carlo Rovelli is a genius and an amazing communicator... What I love about his writing is that it always comes back to people -- people interacting with other people, who are interacting with their world. This is the place where science comes to life -- Neil Gaiman
Carlo Rovelli's imaginative rigour, his lively humour and his beautiful writing are inspiring -- Erica Wagner
Illuminating, thought-provoking and suffused with a passion for knowledge and ideas, it is an eclectic and far from conventional science read or gift New Scientist, Books of the Year
Rovelli is a masterful short story teller... this book is a joy to read Physics Education
A wonderfully discursive and pertinent book that stands as a celebration of the life of the mind and the gifts of an open curiosity -- Hisham Matar

Carlo Rovelli (Author)Carlo Rovelli is a theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to the physics of space and time. He has worked in Italy and the US, and is currently directing the quantum gravity research group of the Centre de physique theorique in Marseille, France. His books Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Helgoland, Reality Is Not What It Seems and The Order of Time are international bestsellers which have been translated into forty-three languages.

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