Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World

Name: Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World
Price: 3.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.2 (413 reviews)
Author: Lisa Randall

by Lisa Randall

Nonfiction

4.2 (413)

4.2 stars from 413 reviews

464 pages~7.7 hr readPublished by Penguin Random HousePublished 2011-01-01

$3.99Deal73% off peak

Last checked: Jun 11, 2026

Price history: $1.99 – $14.99

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Perfect for you if...

You're curious about cutting-edge physics but don't have a background in maths and want someone brilliant to translate it for you.
You respect scientific thinking but wonder how it connects to art, creativity, and the decisions we make every day.
You've read popular science before and want something more rigorous without being a textbook.

Maybe not for you if...

You want a chronological history of physics from Newton onwards; this assumes you know the basics.
You're looking for mystical or spiritual explanations for how the universe works; Randall is unapologetically rational.
You prefer narrative-driven books with characters and plot; this is idea-driven and conversational.

About this book

Lisa Randall, a theoretical physicist and author of Warped Passages, offers an accessible exploration of contemporary particle physics and cosmology. The book tours recent developments in physics, including the discovery of the Higgs boson, and examines the theoretical concepts underlying this research. Randall discusses the roles of risk, creativity, uncertainty, beauty, and truth in scientific thinking. She includes conversations with figures from other fields—chef David Chang, forecaster Nate Silver, and screenwriter Scott Derrickson—alongside reflections on her own work to build a defense of science and the scientific worldview. The book draws connections between scientific and artistic beauty, comparing concepts in physics to examples in visual art and other disciplines.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$1.99 – $14.99

Currently on sale at $3.99 — 73% off peak. Price has dropped 17 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 44 days. Typically stays discounted for 109 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #108K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Climbing the charts — 25% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.2★ from 413 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.2 over the tracking period.

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This book is currently discounted at $3.99. It typically returns to around $14.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.