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In Search of Now

The Science and Mystery of the Present Moment
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( 20 ratings, 6 reviews)
Brief Description
'A superb, illuminating book that will change the way you think about the present moment' - CLAUDIA HAMMOND We all feel we live in the present moment, but what does 'now' really mean? According to Einstein's theory of relativity there is no meaningful difference between past... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Award-winning journalist and international bestselling author Jo Marchant returns with a mind-bending exploration of the shifting science behind how we understand time.

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'A superb, illuminating book that will change the way you think about the present moment' - CLAUDIA HAMMOND

We all feel we live in the present moment, but what does 'now' really mean?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity there is no meaningful difference between past and future; no moment of happening out in the universe. But then what becomes of free will? Is choice an illusion? Or has physics left something essential out of the equation?

Combining the latest research from neuroscience, psychology and physics, In Search of Now bridges mind and matter to rescue 'now' as the fundamental ingredient of existence, revealing how, moment by moment, we each carve out our lived experience - sensations and emotions, actions and decisions - through our interactions with the world.

Join Jo Marchant as she tackles questions of time, self, consciousness and reality - exploring the secrets of how our lives really unfold.

'Original, gripping and perspective-smashing. Jo Marchant is up there with our greatest science writers' - WILL STORR

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838858742

Publisher: Canongate Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 February 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Canongate Books

Edition: Export/Airside - Export/Airside/Ireland

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 426g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Dr Jo Marchant is an award-winning science journalist whose writing explores our place in the universe, from the mind-body connection to the inspirational power of the night sky. Her other books include Decoding the Heavens, The Human Cosmos, and the New York Times bestseller Cure: A journey into the science of mind over body, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize. She presented the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series More Wow, investigating the life-changing emotion of awe. She has worked as a senior editor at New Scientist and Nature, and her articles have appeared in publications including Smithsonian, the Guardian, Economist and New York Times. She has a PhD in genetics.

@JoMarchant | jomarchant.com

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  • Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body
    A rigorous, sceptical, deeply reported look at the new science behind the mind's extraordinary ability to heal the body. Have you ever felt a surge of adrenaline after narrowly avoiding an accident? Salivated at the sight (or thought) of a sour lemon? Felt turned on just from hearing your partner's voice? If so, then you've experienced how dramatically the workings...
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    For most of human history, we have had a close relationship with the stars. Once, they shaped our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries, we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And it comes at a cost. The Human Cosmos is a tour of this history: from...
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  • In Search of Now
    We all feel we live in the present moment, but what does 'now' really mean? According to Einstein's theory of relativity, there is no meaningful difference between past and future; no moment of happening out in the universe. But then what becomes of free will? Is choice an illusion? Or has physics left something essential out of the equation? Combining...
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