‘A book that will transform how you understand human behaviour’
–Thomas Erikson, author of Surrounded by Idiots

Order in the United Kingdom

Pre-order in North America | Launching Mar 18, 2025

The Art of Physics

Can physics change your life?

It already has.

In The Art of Physics, Zahaan Bharmal explains eight ideas from physics that have transformed his view of everyday life and will do the same for you.

Far from being abstract, he argues, physics can help us answer very human questions, questions like: Why are some relationships unstable, while others last a lifetime? Why does inequality persist? And why do we all make so many irrational decisions?

Drawing on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, chaos and complexity theory, materials science and more, The Art of Physics reveals the hidden, surprising, and sometimes beautiful ways in which physics can help us to make sense of an unpredictable world. Ultimately, it shows how by embracing the paradoxes and uncertainty at the core of physics, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and our universe.

A deeply personal and thoroughly entertaining tour of life, the universe, and everything.

Endorsements

'Exceptionally interesting'
- Alain de Botton, author of The Consolations of Philosophy

'A book that will transform how you understand human behaviour'
- Thomas Erikson, author of Surrounded by Idiots

‘Joyful, fascinating and highly original - Zahaan Bharmal has no end of ideas for putting physics to work in everyday situations. If you’re looking for a life hack, look no further!’ - Michael Brooks, author of 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense

'In his insightful and entertaining new book, Zahaan Bharmal applies lessons from physics to identify elegant explanations for our messy world'
- Cal Newport, author of Slow Productivity and Deep Work

'Fascinating... You'll never again view your own world in quite the same way. Entertaining, informative, and a delight to read'
- Ian Stewart, author of Do Dice Play God?

'Like an ion bath for the brain, The Art of Physics fizzes with excitement at the ways the theories and concepts of physics can help us make sense of the messiness of our world. A super-readable, thought provoking intellectual journey through science and life'
- Charles Emmerson, author of Crucible

'One of the most engaging popularizations of science that I have ever read!'
- Professor Todd Huffman, Oxford Vice Principal & Physicist

About the Author

Zahaan Bharmal is the author of The Art of Physics, a book about the hidden, surprising, and sometimes beautiful ways in which physics can help us to make sense of very human problems.

Zahaan read Physics at the University of Oxford and won a Fulbright Scholarship to Stanford University where he earned an MBA. He spent his early career as a policy adviser and speechwriter for the British Government and the World Bank, and is currently a senior director with Google.

Outside work, Zahaan writes about science for The Guardian and has won NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for services to science communication. He is a trustee of the National Autistic Society and lives in Yorkshire with his wife and two young sons.