In Search of Schrodinger's Cat
John Gribbin does a good job at relating the history of the discoveries in quantum physics, and manages to explain most of the actual physics that he touches on. Although In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat shows its more than 20 year old age in some respects (especially when referencing electronics) much of the information is still quite interesting and as near as up-to-date as I can tell (not that I’ve read as much about quantum physics as I should like to have, so I could be totally off with this estimate).
Even if the explanations of the science behind quantum physics was poor, Schrodinger’s Cat provides a look into the history of the study of quantum physics, describing how the basic building blocks went from being regarded to be the four elements, to the tiny, indivisible atom, and finally to the realization that even the atom could be broken into smaller pieces. He also explains the transition that views about light went through - starting with the particle theories of Newton, moving into a wave theory instead, and finally moving into the wave-particle duality at Einstien’s encouragement.
On the science side, most of the explanations are well written. Nor all all abstract, descriptions of how things like the transistor works also are included. The descriptions of the wave-particle duality successfully make the concept understandable for the layman, possibly the most valuable aspect of the book.
Despite all the interesting aspects of the book, I cannot recommend buying it at full price - simply due to its age in regards to some of the topics it covers.