In a Flight of Starlings

The man who looked at birds and grasped the secrets of the universe ... Read this, and you will get at least a frisson of what a top-flight career in physics might feel like

The man who looked at birds and grasped the secrets of the universe ... Read this, and you will get at least a frisson of what a top-flight career in physics might feel like

The Italian physicist puts the fiendishly tricky theory of complex systems in terms of birds and bus rides ... aims to make his branch of science accessible to all

Giorgio Parisi is remarkably flexible and ingenious... In a Flight of Starlings is a compelling introduction to how modern researchers think about complex systems, enlivened by autobiographical anecdote and reflection on the processes of science

Parisi tells of his adventures in thinking in this alarmingly brilliant, witty and brief book

In a Flight of Starlings offers a glimpse into scientific discovery ... a forceful argument for the value of scientific literacy at a time when it's increasingly being challenged by misinformation ... Parisi's book is a step toward making physics feel more accessible

An interesting collection of essays reflecting on Parisi's long career in science . . . The scientific explanations are admirably lucid

An erudite contemplation on both science and the process of doing science. And a joy to read

In this delightful and deeply thoughtful book, Giorgio Parisi weaves a tapestry of experiences and ideas that connects disciplines and prepares us to appreciate the beauty, importance, and cultural value of science

An extraordinary scientist

Giorgio Parisi is renowned for his scientific creativity, originality, and power. In this exhilarating little book, he shows his human side, too. By its end, readers will feel they've made a charming, witty new friend.

Giorgio Parisi is a theoretical physicist and professor of Quantum Theories at the Sapienza University of Rome. Together with Klaus Hasselmann and Syukuro Manabe, he received the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics.