1
of
1
85 Seconds to Midnight
A Physicist's Argument Against Rearmament
Brief Description
A warning to humankind from one of the world's greatest physicists. What drives these pages is the guilty conscience of my profession, theoretical physics. My sole aim is to help avert what seems to me to be the unintended, yet scarcely avoidable, end point of the...
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
$3000
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY
Found a better price? Request a price match
85 Seconds to Midnight
$2499
$3000
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
New Releases to add to your TBR this week (29th September)
From celebrity memoirs to a brand new follow up to The Whale Rider, here is...
New: Out of Print Book Merchandise has arrived!
We are so excited to share that we now have a selection in-stock of the...
Bookish Board Games Amelia & Lizzy Have Been Playing
Amelia and Lizzy have been playing two of our newest bookish board games! Find out...
Self-Help Advice I Actually Use
My partner Alex says I read too many self-help books, and he’s probably right. To...
It’s Grand Final week in the world of the NRL!
It’s Grand Final week in the world of the NRL! And although the mighty NZ...
See more
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
A warning to humankind from one of the world's greatest physicists.
What drives these pages is the guilty conscience of my profession, theoretical physics. My sole aim is to help avert what seems to me to be the unintended, yet scarcely avoidable, end point of the current politics of the governments we have elected—nuclear war.
The world is re-arming and embroiled in endless conflict. The Doomsday Clock has now been set to 85 seconds to midnight, with the risk of nuclear war the highest it has ever been. Why do we always fail to learn from the past?
In this urgent book, acclaimed physicist Carlo Rovelli reframes the history of nuclear weapons—from how the atomic bomb was born to why Germany didn't build it and why the US used it, to the narrowly averted disasters of the Cold War and the political brinkmanship careering out of control today.
As he grapples with the legacy of his scientific forebears, Rovelli spotlights the true nature of the decisions being made by leaders around the world today. A timely and ardent warning, this searing reckoning with short-sighted politics is essential reading for anyone seeking sanity at our moment of greatest peril.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781837315574
Publisher: Penguin Random House NZ
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 23 June 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 111.0mm
Height: 181.0mm
Weight: 73g
Pages: 112
About the Author
Carlo Rovelli is an internationally acclaimed writer whose books, including Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, The Order of Time, Helgoland and White Holes, have been number one bestsellers around the world and translated into over forty languages. As a theoretical physicist, he has made significant contributions to the physics of space and time and he is currently directing the quantum gravity research group of the Centre de physique theorique in Marseille, France.
Also by Carlo Rovelli
View all-
The Order of Time
The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli is a captivating exploration of one of the most enigmatic concepts in the universe: time itself. Rovelli, a renowned physicist often likened to Stephen Hawking for his ability to make complex scientific ideas accessible, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the nature of time. With a distinguished blend of poetry, philosophy, and...Paperback$2200Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Discover the captivating world of modern physics with Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by renowned physicist Carlo Rovelli. This international bestseller, now available in paperback, introduces readers to the profound and awe-inspiring concepts that define our understanding of the universe. With lucid and engaging prose, Rovelli elucidates complex topics, making them accessible and enthralling to both novices and aficionados of...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early October -
Reality Is Not What It Seems
In Reality Is Not What It Seems, Carlo Rovelli, renowned physicist and author, invites readers on an eye-opening journey through the mysterious and ever-evolving landscape of theoretical physics. Through his eloquent and accessible prose, Rovelli explores some of the most profound questions that have intrigued humanity for centuries: What is time? What is space? Of what is the fabric of...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid October -
Helgoland
The instant Sunday Times bestseller — a dazzling story of rebellion and science. In June 1925, twenty-three-year-old Werner Heisenberg, suffering from hay fever, had retreated to the treeless, wind-battered island of Helgoland in the North Sea in order to think. Walking all night, by dawn he had wrestled with an idea that would transform the whole of science and our...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
These seven short lessons guide us, with simplicity and clarity, through the scientific revolution that shook physics in the twentieth century and still continues to shake us today. In this enchanting overview of modern physics, Carlo Rovelli explains Einstein's theory of general relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, the complex architecture of the universe, elementary particles, gravity, and the nature of...Hardback$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
White Holes
White Holes by Carlo Rovelli is a captivating exploration of the cosmos that invites readers to delve deep into the enigmatic and extraordinary phenomenon of white holes. From the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Rovelli once again brings his unique blend of clarity and wonder to the forefront, guiding us through an ambitious journey into the universe’s...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Anaximander
The bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics tells the thrilling story of one of the greatest intellectual leaps of all time. Over two millennia ago, a Greek philosopher had a number of wondrous insights that paved the way to cosmology, physics, geography, meteorology, and biology, setting in motion a new way of seeing the world. Anaximander's legacy includes...Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness
One of the most inspiring thinkers of our age transforms the way we think about the world with his reflections on science, history and humanity One of our most beloved scientists, a fearless free spirit, Carlo Rovelli is also a masterful storyteller. In this collection of writings, the logbook of an intelligence always on the move, he follows his curiosity...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
On the Equality of All Things
The poet of physics returns with a dazzling exploration of our place in the universe. What can we really know about the world around us? Or is there beauty in daring not to know? With clarity and lightness, acclaimed physicist Carlo Rovelli takes us on a journey of enlightenment, to the speculative frontiers of modern physics and the boundaries of...Hardback$5000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness
There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness by Carlo Rovelli is a captivating collection of essays that invites readers to embark on a journey through the diverse landscapes of science, history, and humanity. With keen intellect and boundless curiosity, Rovelli explores an array of fascinating topics, weaving them into a compelling narrative that transcends...HardbackSold Out -
White Holes
A mesmerizing trip to the strange new world of white holes, from Carlo Rovelli, the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics. Let us journey, with beloved physicist Carlo Rovelli, into the heart of a black hole. Let us slip beyond its boundary, the horizon, and tumble—on and on—down this crack in the universe. As we plunge, we'll see...HardbackSold Out
More from Education & Reference
View all-
The Body Keeps the Score
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a compelling and compassionate exploration of the deep-seated impact of trauma on the human body and mind. This groundbreaking work delves into the complex causes of trauma and paints a vivid picture of the revolutionary treatments that are enabling countless individuals to reclaim their lives filled with purpose...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseLucky You're Tough
Lucky You're Tough chronicles the early life of helicopter pilot and NZSAS soldier Mark Law, from growing up in the rural wilds of Whangamōmona through to surviving a series of life-threatening events that would shape his life and career. After a career as a badged soldier in the NZSAS that led to an intriguing stint with the British SAS and...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Age Code
What if the food you eat could rewind your biological clock? 'Clear and compelling' — Chris van Tulleken 'Really interesting and insightful' — Joe Wicks 'Fascinating' — Tim Spector From the rising incidence of cancer in the under-50s to increased infertility rates, there are signs everywhere that growing numbers of us are ageing too quickly. Why? Many believe there’s one...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
One Last Question, Prime Minister
From Muldoon to Luxon, untold stories from the House of Parliament Barry Soper has spent close to five decades questioning New Zealand's prime ministers.From the imposing, larger-than-life characters of Rob Muldoon and David Lange, to the golden age of Helen Clark and John Key, and the post-Covid era of Jacinda Ardern and the 'Chrises', Soper's insight and nose for a...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Fungi of Aotearoa
The complete introduction to finding, identifying and using mushrooms and other fungi in New Zealand. Enter and explore the fascinating world of fungi. In this practical and up-to-date guide, forager and fungus enthusiast Liv Sisson shares her top tips and takes the reader on a journey to discover the unique and diverse fungi Aotearoa has to offer. Discover how to...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Suicidal Empathy
The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...Paperback$3099Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Maori Made Easy Workbook 1/Kete 1
Maori Made Easy Workbook 1/Kete 1 by Scotty Morrison is the ultimate companion for anyone eager to learn the beautiful and complex Maori language. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to brush up on your skills, this workbook offers a structured and engaging way to immerse yourself in te reo Maori. Designed to be accessible regardless of your starting...Paperback$2000Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
2027 Witch's Diary - Southern Hemisphere
From the bestselling authors of Spellcasting, which has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, comes the essential witchy journal to plan your days, harness magick, and connect with higher powers. Features include: 8" x 6" (8" x 12" open) Beautiful glossy gold gatefold cover Compact size, perfect to carry in your bag and keep on you throughout the day 12-month...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Strangers
The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic Modern Love essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle. "A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship" — Joyce Carol Oates How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Roadmap to Property Success
Ready to ditch the 9-to-5 and build lasting wealth through property? In Roadmap to Property Success, seasoned investor and coach Steve Goodey shares the exact strategies that helped him – and thousands of Kiwis – build sustainable property portfolios from scratch. With real-life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and zero sugar-coating, this is your no-BS guide to property investing in New Zealand....Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Maori Made Easy Workbook 2/Kete 2
Immerse yourself in the richness of the Māori language with Maori Made Easy Workbook 2/Kete 2 by renowned TV personality and passionate te reo Māori advocate, Scotty Morrison. This comprehensive workbook is designed to cater to learners of all levels, making the beautiful language of the Māori people accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Building on the successful approach of the...Paperback$2000Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Signed Copy
"What Were You Thinking!?"
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.In "What Were...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
