The Royal Society (original, CC BY-SA 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); crop by Duncan.Hull (CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons

Jim Al-Khalili

Theoretical nuclear physicist; University of Surrey

A theoretical physicist whose research spans nuclear physics, quantum biology, and the quantum arrow of time. His reading selections connect scientific discovery with accessible explanations of modern physics.

Wikipedia

Hard Science Physics

3Books recommended

1Book written

Books Jim Al-Khalili recommends

3 books, each linked to the source where Jim Al-Khalili recommended it.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through some links. Recommendations are included because of the source, not because of the retailer. Details

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

by Richard Feynman & Ralph Leighton · 1985

Everyone should read this book, because it gets across why a subject like physics is so enjoyable.

Recommended · Exact quote Source: Five Books

Evidence details

Physics Books that Inspired Me

In a discussion of books that inspired his physics career, Al-Khalili explicitly recommends this Feynman memoir to readers. His broader list is personal inspiration, rather than a general introductory syllabus.

The quote is taken word for word from the source.

Five Books · 2020-02-27 · accessed 2026-09-30

Interview · Direct Five Books interview

The Feynman section contains an explicit instruction to read the book. Interview updated 2022-11-27.

Amazon Audible Bookshop.org

The Order of Time

by Carlo Rovelli · 2018

Selected by Jim Al-Khalili for his five science books to take on holiday.

Recommended · Wording not verified Source: Five Books

Evidence details

The Best Science Books to Take on Holiday

An explicit popular-science holiday reading selection. Al-Khalili discusses the book’s treatment of time and its combination of physics with literary style.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

Five Books · 2019-06-13 · accessed 2026-09-30

Interview · Direct Five Books interview

The named reading list and fourth book discussion directly identify The Order of Time as his selection. Interview updated 2025-05-17; catalog text is a citation paraphrase.

Bookshop.org

Beyond Weird

by Philip Ball · 2018

Selected by Jim Al-Khalili for his five science books to take on holiday.

Recommended · Wording not verified Source: Five Books

Evidence details

The Best Science Books to Take on Holiday

A popular-science holiday reading selection focused on the interpretation of quantum physics.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

Five Books · 2019-06-13 · accessed 2026-09-30

Interview · Direct Five Books interview

The first named book and accompanying discussion establish a direct reading-list selection. Updated 2025-05-17. Catalog wording is a citation paraphrase.

Bookshop.org

Books by Jim Al-Khalili

Written by Jim Al-Khalili. Not counted as recommendations.

Biology Physics

Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology

by Johnjoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili

An exploration of possible quantum effects in living systems.

Bookshop.org