https://archive.org/details/infinitepotentia0000peat
"Dismissed by establishment scientists as a maverick or mystical rebel, American physicist David Bohm (1917-1992) sought a holistic physics, a unified vision of matter and mind, brain and consciousness. His search for an alternative quantum theory led him to formulate a cosmology depicting a universe of infinite levels, each qualitatively different yet part of an interconnected whole. In this brilliant intellectual biography, science writer Peat, Bohm's longtime friend and colleague, portrays an intensely cerebral man gripped by periods of crippling depression, who had an acute need of a guru or father figure, whether mentor J. Robert Oppenheimer or Indian philosopher/ teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti, and who ultimately felt betrayed by each of them."--Publisher description
Includes bibliographical references and index
Childhood : from fragmentation to flow -- From Penn State to Caltech -- A vision of light -- From Niels Bohr to Karl Marx -- Princeton -- Un-American activities -- Hidden variables -- Brazil : into exile -- Causality and chance -- Israel : the world falls apart -- Bristol : encounters with famous men -- Birkbeck : thought and what may lie beyond -- Language and perception -- The implicate order -- Dialogue and disorder -- The edge of something unknown
Follow the Author
F. David Peat
Follow
Infinite Potential: The Life and Times of David Bohm Paperback – November 13, 1997
by F David Peat (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 58 ratings
4.2 on Goodreads
77 ratings
Paperback
$9.65
17 Used from $6.1211 New from $16.71
Infinite Potential is the first biography of David Bohm—brilliant physicist, explorer of consciousness, student of Oppenheimer, friend to Einstein, and enemy of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Although he battled bouts of crippling depression, Bohm proved to be one of the twentieth century's most original thinkers, influencing the fields of physics, philosophy, psychology, language, and education. In this compelling narrative, David Peat explains Bohm's life and landmark scientific work, including his famous ”hidden variables” causal interpretation of quantum mechanics, which created a storm of controversy, yet may well be the only theory that describes the true nature of reality.
Read less
Report incorrect product information.
Print length
357 pages
Language
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
F. David Peat, renowned author of many general books on science—including, with David Bohm, Science, Order & Creativity—was a friend and colleague of David Bohm for more than twenty years.
Product details
Publisher : Basic Books; First Thus edition (November 13, 1997)
Language : English
Paperback : 357 pages
ISBN-10 : 0201328208
ISBN-13 : 978-0201328202
Item Weight : 1.15 pounds
Dimensions : 9.2 x 6.09 x 1.01 inchesBest Sellers Rank: #1,099,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)#1,061 in Quantum Theory (Books)
#2,122 in Scientist Biographies
#15,315 in Historical Biographies (Books)Customer Reviews:
4.6 out of 5 stars 58 ratings
F. David Peat
Welcome to my Amazon page. One of the most enjoyable tasks of my life has been writing books. Or rather lying in bed dreaming about what I want to write tomorrow then jumping out of bed in the morning and rushing to my computer to get it all down before I forget!
My latest book is "Synchronicity: The Marriage of Matter and Psyche". This is an original exploration and not a revision of my earlier "Synchronicity: The Bridge between Matter and Mind". In my new book I explore Carl Jung’s notion of the life-transforming nature of synchronicities. Synchronicities open the floodgates of the deeper levels of consciousness and matter, which, for a creative instant, sweep over the mind and heal the division between the internal and external. Since writing that first book a great deal more has come to light, in particular about the role the theoretical physicist Wolfgang Pauli had in encouraging Carl Jung’s investigation of the phenomenon of “meaningful coincidence.” Much of this collaboration between the physicist and the depth psychologist is revealed in the fascinating correspondence between Jung and Pauli that has recently been published. My new book explores these discoveries and ends with a speculative and provocative chapter on the possible source of true synchronicities.
I was born and grew up in Liverpool. My father was an electrician and when his apprentice announced that he wanted to quit to go to Germany with his band my father told him, "George Harrison, one day you'll come crawling on your hands and knees to get your job back." I was also a little annoyed when my closest friend, Dot, told me she was seeing a really fascinating student at art college—John Lennon! It was that era!
After university I moved to Canada to carry out research in theoretical physics at the National Research Council of Canada. Then, while on a sabbatical with Roger Penrose, I met the physicist David Bohm and began a friendship that lasted until his death. Indeed, we were working together on a second book when he died.
I had also been involved in documentaries for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and was responsible for a twenty one-hour series on the development of physics in the 20th century. After leaving the NRC I turned to writing both books and plays for radio and the stage. I also made contact with Native American groups which ended up as a circle of Native Elders and Western Scientists sponsored by the Fetzer Institute. Some these experiences found themselves in Blackfoot Physics.
From Ottawa we moved briefly, and totally by chance, to the medieval hilltop village of Pari in Tuscany, and from there moved to London so I could do research for and write Infinite Potential: The Life and Times of David Bohm. In London I made contact with the artists Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley and ended up organizing a weekend where artists and scientists could meet and talk informally.
From London I moved back to Pari and in 2000 opened the Pari Center for New Learning in order to run courses and conferences and have writers and artists come to visit for a month or so. Pari has also been an ideal place in which to reflect and write and to meet new people. It has been a time when I developed my idea of Gentle Action which can be found at www.gentleaction.org and well as in my book "Gentle Action: Bringing creative change to a turbulent world".
A recent book of mine is "A Flickering Reality: Cinema and the Nature of Reality". This shows how everything from Freud and Jung, quantum theory and chaos theory, the neurosciences and postmodernism have changed the way we look at ourselves and the world, and the most direct way to experience this is via films. I also have a blog on this topic at http://aflickeringreality.blogspot.com. And what a pleasure it was to see it in print. It was such a joy to write "A Flickering Reality" because it combined my interests in the changing nature of reality along with the chance to revisit so many films I had enjoyed in the past along with some very new ones.
And if you'd like to learn more then why not buy my biography, "Pathways of Chance" or look at my websites www.fdavidpeat.com or www.paricenter.com.
Top reviews from the United States
Frances Haas
5.0 out of 5 stars "A stellar autobiographyReviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
I've always been curious about physics and the people who practice it. David Bohm was a key player within the physics community. His mother was or became insane but was able to be around for her two sons, in an unproductive way. There were no anti-depressants and her condition worsened. Bohm was more deeply effected by his mother than he allowed himself to know. He knew many other physicists, such as Oppenheimer. Partly due to his relationship with him, but also the Communist scare after W.W.II, the U.S. Government would not allow Bohm to work in the U.S., so "Bohm went to South America. If you like to read about the theories behind psychics, this is a book for you. It also goes into Bohm's long, and eventually troubled, relationship with Krishamurti, an Indian sage. Their talks can be seen on UTube. I recommend reading this book about a brilliant, flawed, man. and viewing those talks;, which delve into the nature of mysticism.
7 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
R. A POKATILOFF
5.0 out of 5 stars get this book!Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
I love this book! Starting on page 169 we read about hidden variables. Example, two particles are separated but they don't interact in the classical physics way. There are hidden variables. The same thing happens when I use my computer flight simulator! I see two planes moving on the taxiway. One of them is stopping by an intersection, while the other one keeps on going thru the intersection. The computer is controlling the aircrafts--hidden variables? There is much debate, and none of it is easy to understand. Quantum mechanics is filled with confusion because the old way physics is predictable, but quantum is like rolling the dice. The facts indicate that our universe may be computer controlled. Bohm, Bell, and the others had no knowledge of our current computers and the advanced video cards. There is no doubt that we will be capable of building computers that can simulate a universe in the distant future.
4 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
sherab
5.0 out of 5 stars fine biography of a great man.Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Bohm was not just a great physicist, whose Bohmian Mechanics provides the best alternative to the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics. He had a remarkable life in many ways. As a graduate student of Oppenheimer at Berkeley, he worked on the Manhattan Project, but was denied security clearance because of his Marxist views, and was forbidden to read his own papers or to write his Ph. D. thesis. Later he was hounded out of the country by the HUAC. He went from a Marxist materialist to a spiritual outlook which led him to collaborate with Krishnamurti. Peat was a longtime friend and collaborator, and the biography is a great and informative read.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
sharon graham
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bookReviewed in the United States on September 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great work, a true genius
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Walter E. Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for everyone interested in scientific metaphysicsReviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
An objective, thorough outline of the life and thought of one of our greatest thinkers. Very accessible for average but interested minds like mine.
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Michael Anthony Caputo
5.0 out of 5 stars The Genius of BohmReviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
Excellent biography -- well written & considers all vital aspects of the life of this great man. Although the author tries to emphasize Bohm's spiritual awareness he falls short in presenting this aspect of Bohm's visionary personality. Highly recommended.
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
WILLIAM T
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this important work about one of the greatest minds ever.Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
A wonderful insight to a remarkable mind. I think Bohms' dialogues with Krishnamurti exposed mankind's dilemma while perhaps showing the only plausible way out. Ultimate truth for Bohm is Love has no divisions and knowledge although important can not attain the essence.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Kathy
4.0 out of 5 stars Hometown boy Makes goodReviewed in the United States on September 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
I bought this as a gift for my brother and read a bit of it myself too since David Bohm grew up in our hometown and went to our high school
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Barry Winbolt
4.0 out of 5 stars A rounded picture of a complex manReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a thoroughly researched and detailed account of a life which by any account was as troubled as it was driven by a passion for learning and insight. Despite his brilliance, David Bohm was as flawed as any of us. Problems seemed to arise for him because the very drive and obstinacy which allowed him to develop such brilliant insights in his work, proved a hindrance when applied to the business of life and relationships.
I came to the book because of my interest in dialogue. I knew from his book on the topic that Bohm developed an approach to dialogue in later life, I now know much more about how his ideas developed and were applied. Written by someone who understood and admired Bohm's work, the technical aspects of physics though well explained were still a little obscure for me. I still couldn't put the book down and it brought the man and his work to life for me.
5 people found this helpfulReport abuse
=====
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Sky.
Sky
10 reviews
·
11 followers
Follow
February 21, 2011
Fascinating story of a remarkable man who is by all standards of the same stature as your Newtons and Einsteins. However, due to his holistic approach, his radical new approaches to physics, his communist sympathies and his interests in spirituality, he never got any prestigious award and hence most people have never heard of him. Which is a shame, because, he is one of the only scientists to come up with an ontological explanation of quantum physics, and a very common-sense theory of theories.
This biography is a bit messy at times, but it seems to give a good overview of who Bohm really was and of the astounding theories he envisioned and/or helped to develop. It also manages to put Krishnamurti and his teachings into perspective.
A tragic life, but his important legacy remains.
mind-brain-plus
ontoscopy-related
4 likes
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Tonino Filipovic.
Tonino Filipovic
25 reviews
Follow
March 8, 2022
Beautifully written biography about one of the most extraordinary scientists, and above all, human beings of 20th century!
The man who dared being different and questioned establishment and authorities, both within scientific community and political establishment.
The man whose contribution to physics and to understanding of human consciousness will very likely be fully understood and recognized only in future.
Great work by D. Peat in portraying such a complex and maverick personality that Bohm had been throughout his life and career.
Like
Comment
Madeline
10 reviews
Follow
September 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this comprehensive biography of quantum physicist David Bohm. The author communicates Bohm’s compelling and imaginative theories into language a layperson can (at least begin) to comprehend. I liked this book because I am intrigued by quantum physics and hope one day to have a rudimentary understanding. This book helped me in that quest.
quantum-physics
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Nicholas.
Nicholas
287 reviews
·
5 followers
Follow
October 8, 2018
Thorough and honest portrait of a fascinating figure.
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Will Cannon.
Will Cannon
9 reviews
·
6 followers
Follow
June 27, 2020
Read this during a cruise on year. Super... Dr. Bohm was a brilliant guy. 👍
Like
Comment
Jan
112 reviews
·
14 followers
Follow
July 7, 2016
This is a well-written book about a very interesting person. David Bohm was a unique and very creative person who had an exceptional mind. He was able to pursue abstract thought to a far greater degree than most other people. But it’s difficult to live in high abstraction without loosing one’s grounding. David Bohm’s wife, Saral, was his anchor in life. Saral gave David stability and, to the extent that it was possible, a normal life. Saral also tried to support David during his recurring periods of depression which, without her, could have cost him his life.
Like
Comment
Mike Ratner
63 reviews
Follow
January 31, 2012
A very interesting subject but poor writing; couldn't finish it.
Like
Comment
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
