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The Magick of Matter: Crystals, Chaos and the Wizardry of Physics
'This is a book about wizardry. It will reveal the secrets of the wizard's art, and how you, too, can learn to follow them. It is a history of magic'
Condensed matter physics is what happens when atoms cluster together to make something of a size we can understand - something like a car, say, rather than a galaxy. It's what makes things hover in mid-air (magnetic levitation) or crystals glow (thermoluminescence). It's also what we mean by magick.
Join Felix Flicker on an empirical adventure in condensed matter physics, the scientific mechanism behind the mysteries of alchemy, transmogrification, and much more. This is the one-stop guide on how to harness the enigmatic workings of the natural world to become a thoroughly modern wizard.
From the laws of thermodynamics to the seven bridges of Konigsberg, The Physicks of Dirt is a journey of discovery which will upend everything you think you know about witchcraft, wizardry, and condensed matter physics.
Condensed matter physics is what happens when atoms cluster together to make something of a size we can understand - something like a car, say, rather than a galaxy. It's what makes things hover in mid-air (magnetic levitation) or crystals glow (thermoluminescence). It's also what we mean by magick.
Join Felix Flicker on an empirical adventure in condensed matter physics, the scientific mechanism behind the mysteries of alchemy, transmogrification, and much more. This is the one-stop guide on how to harness the enigmatic workings of the natural world to become a thoroughly modern wizard.
From the laws of thermodynamics to the seven bridges of Konigsberg, The Physicks of Dirt is a journey of discovery which will upend everything you think you know about witchcraft, wizardry, and condensed matter physics.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 6, 2023
25 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 17, 2022
(Published under the title 'The Magick of Matter' not 'The Physicks [groan] of Dirt' as listed on Goodreads when this review was posted.)
This is a book about condensed matter physics, surely a particularly boring-sounding name for one of the most interesting parts of the subject. It's about the physics of things we encounter. When you think about it, it's quite odd that most popular physics books are about things like quantum physics and cosmology and particle physics that don't deal with things we can put our hands on or see. Of course quantum physics impacts lots of everyday objects through electronics etc., but it's still driven by particles we can't see or experience in a normal sense.
Felix Flicker introduces us to two key aspects of the physics of tangible stuff - emergence and chaos (though in practice, chaos only gets a passing mention). Because, as he points out, the problem with purely looking at the particle level is that stuff really is the more than the sum of its parts. The chaos and uncertainty part was handled excellently in Tim Palmer's recent The Primacy of Doubt, but this book works very much alongside that by focussing more on emergence, rather them competing in any way.
We start off on the states of matter and, somewhat unexpectedly, magnetism, with Flicker making the kind of statement that needs a lot more unpacking than it gets 'A magnet does everything you'd expect a state of matter to do.' we then move on to phase transitions and so on. Flicker keeps things interest by leaping about and pulling in unexpected little side illustrations and examples, such as the way that a field of bleating virtual sheep that can influence its neighbours' colour.
We then get onto crystals and the special characteristics of the crystalline state - something that extends far beyond our typical association with shiny transparent things to take in metals and polarising materials, lattices and symmetry. A section on thermodynamics seems to me to be cheating a bit - because quite a lot of what's covered is about interactions at an atomic or molecular scale, though you can see that there's an element of emergence involved. I felt the same to a degree about the next chapter on quantum physics. But we do then get into more dramatically emergent stuff with superconductors, Josephson junctions and the like. With the exception of the aspect I'm about to moan about, this is all well-handled and consistently engaging. It combines fascinating facts with real insights into what is in some cases relatively unfamiliar aspects of physics.
So far so good, but there was one aspect of this book that several times inclined me to throw it against the wall - and the four stars are despite, rather than thanks to this. Flicker has decided to try to make condensed matter physics more approachable by framing it as having parallels with magic. (Thankfully, in the text, as opposed to the title, we largely avoid that twee spelling 'Magick'.) This means, for example, that the chapters begin with some frankly pretty unreadable lowest-common-denominator swords-and-sorcery-without-the-swords fantasy writing. It's (thankfully) possible to skip over these and not lose anything, but unfortunately Flicker also regularly brings magic and woo in to give us reference points as he talks about physics. (He seriously includes the sound of one hand clapping.) But the whole point of the book should be that this topic doesn't need gimmicks. It's genuinely interesting in its own right. Why, oh why?
I'm recommending the book despite, rather than because of its magical flummery. This is a really interesting topic. But you may have to restrain that book throwing urge too.
This is a book about condensed matter physics, surely a particularly boring-sounding name for one of the most interesting parts of the subject. It's about the physics of things we encounter. When you think about it, it's quite odd that most popular physics books are about things like quantum physics and cosmology and particle physics that don't deal with things we can put our hands on or see. Of course quantum physics impacts lots of everyday objects through electronics etc., but it's still driven by particles we can't see or experience in a normal sense.
Felix Flicker introduces us to two key aspects of the physics of tangible stuff - emergence and chaos (though in practice, chaos only gets a passing mention). Because, as he points out, the problem with purely looking at the particle level is that stuff really is the more than the sum of its parts. The chaos and uncertainty part was handled excellently in Tim Palmer's recent The Primacy of Doubt, but this book works very much alongside that by focussing more on emergence, rather them competing in any way.
We start off on the states of matter and, somewhat unexpectedly, magnetism, with Flicker making the kind of statement that needs a lot more unpacking than it gets 'A magnet does everything you'd expect a state of matter to do.' we then move on to phase transitions and so on. Flicker keeps things interest by leaping about and pulling in unexpected little side illustrations and examples, such as the way that a field of bleating virtual sheep that can influence its neighbours' colour.
We then get onto crystals and the special characteristics of the crystalline state - something that extends far beyond our typical association with shiny transparent things to take in metals and polarising materials, lattices and symmetry. A section on thermodynamics seems to me to be cheating a bit - because quite a lot of what's covered is about interactions at an atomic or molecular scale, though you can see that there's an element of emergence involved. I felt the same to a degree about the next chapter on quantum physics. But we do then get into more dramatically emergent stuff with superconductors, Josephson junctions and the like. With the exception of the aspect I'm about to moan about, this is all well-handled and consistently engaging. It combines fascinating facts with real insights into what is in some cases relatively unfamiliar aspects of physics.
So far so good, but there was one aspect of this book that several times inclined me to throw it against the wall - and the four stars are despite, rather than thanks to this. Flicker has decided to try to make condensed matter physics more approachable by framing it as having parallels with magic. (Thankfully, in the text, as opposed to the title, we largely avoid that twee spelling 'Magick'.) This means, for example, that the chapters begin with some frankly pretty unreadable lowest-common-denominator swords-and-sorcery-without-the-swords fantasy writing. It's (thankfully) possible to skip over these and not lose anything, but unfortunately Flicker also regularly brings magic and woo in to give us reference points as he talks about physics. (He seriously includes the sound of one hand clapping.) But the whole point of the book should be that this topic doesn't need gimmicks. It's genuinely interesting in its own right. Why, oh why?
I'm recommending the book despite, rather than because of its magical flummery. This is a really interesting topic. But you may have to restrain that book throwing urge too.
January 8, 2023
My rating is very subjective. This book will definitely find its readers and I’m looking forward to see reviews from someone who is or had been studying physics or works in that line on work. For me it was a little bit too dry and I can’t say that I understood everything perfectly - quantum physics may not be the eastiest topic to grasp :))) The idea to show how the magic surrounds us in daily situations through the law of physics is cute, but can’t say that after reading this book the message was fully delivered; something was lacking.
Don’t want so scare someone off - it is written quite casually and it is not difficult to read it at all. I think the author truly tried to explain the facts as simple as possible, but yeah. The topics itself can be a little bit mindbending, so prepare yourself. Also, non all the chapters are that difficult, you’ll definitely find interesting points of view so as I did. But overall yes, as someone, who never went deeper into physics, I would give a very strong 3/5.
Don’t want so scare someone off - it is written quite casually and it is not difficult to read it at all. I think the author truly tried to explain the facts as simple as possible, but yeah. The topics itself can be a little bit mindbending, so prepare yourself. Also, non all the chapters are that difficult, you’ll definitely find interesting points of view so as I did. But overall yes, as someone, who never went deeper into physics, I would give a very strong 3/5.
August 11, 2023
Though it may be too scientific for most of the audience, I like the idea told in this book - anything that was not understood was magic in the past. I enjoy such 'magick' in everyday life from a scientist's viewpoint.
Want to read
January 6, 2023"Wolfgang Pauli, a founder of quantum mechanics, dismissed condensed-matter physics as Schmutzphysik, 'the physics of dirt.'" - convinced me to read
Read
August 21, 2025MAGICZNA MATERIA, to bardzo dobra książka o fizyce - książka, którą tę dziedzinę nauki traktuje, jak magię, a fizyków nazywa czarodziejami. Nie tylko mi się to podoba, ale i sprawia, że tę pozycje czyta się z wielką ciekawością, niemal jak powieść fantasy... a przecież fizyka istnieje - naprawę. Uważam też, że jest to książka idealna dla kogoś, kto jest zainteresowany tą tematyką, ale jeszcze nie odkrył wiele z jej tajników. Ja jestem laikiem, choć dużo czytam z tej półki, to i tak nie sprawia to iż "się znam", raczej po prostu ów zagadnienia są już mi w jakiś sposób bliższe niż tym, co nie czytają, nie oglądają programów o tej gałęzi nauki.
Wracając do książki Felixa Flickera MAGICZNA MATERIA, pragnę podkreślić, że sama jeszcze nie zgłębiła całości, poznaję pozycję fragmentami, na spokojnie i bardzo mnie ten rodzaj czytania satysfakcjonuje. Myślę, że jeśli w grę wchodzą książki popularnonaukowe, zwłaszcza te o rzeczach ścisłych, takie czytanie nie tylko jest lepsze, ale i zwyczajnie efektowniejsze i w dłuższej perspektywie konieczne.
W książce odnalazłam wiele anegdot, oraz (co jest cudowne) nawiązań do literatury i kultury fantastycznej. Z miejsca odbiór treści jest lepszy. Autor utrzymuje moją uwagę, nie męczy, nie przynudza, jest rzeczowy, ale inspirujący. Podoba mi się, że pokazał swoją drogę do fizyki, to jak odnalazł w niej magię i teraz ów magią dzieli się z nami - czytelnikami. Zatem na moje laickie oko WARTO.
magia jest wśród nas... i w nas
Wydawnictwo Zysk i S-ka
egzemplarz recenzencki
Wracając do książki Felixa Flickera MAGICZNA MATERIA, pragnę podkreślić, że sama jeszcze nie zgłębiła całości, poznaję pozycję fragmentami, na spokojnie i bardzo mnie ten rodzaj czytania satysfakcjonuje. Myślę, że jeśli w grę wchodzą książki popularnonaukowe, zwłaszcza te o rzeczach ścisłych, takie czytanie nie tylko jest lepsze, ale i zwyczajnie efektowniejsze i w dłuższej perspektywie konieczne.
W książce odnalazłam wiele anegdot, oraz (co jest cudowne) nawiązań do literatury i kultury fantastycznej. Z miejsca odbiór treści jest lepszy. Autor utrzymuje moją uwagę, nie męczy, nie przynudza, jest rzeczowy, ale inspirujący. Podoba mi się, że pokazał swoją drogę do fizyki, to jak odnalazł w niej magię i teraz ów magią dzieli się z nami - czytelnikami. Zatem na moje laickie oko WARTO.
magia jest wśród nas... i w nas
Wydawnictwo Zysk i S-ka
egzemplarz recenzencki
November 2, 2025
If you want to dip your (solid) toe into the (liquid) waters of condensed matter physics, and discover why the distinction between the two might not be what it seems, this book is the place to start.
Felix Flicker (incredible name!) reveals how the physics of stuff - matter on our everyday scale, that we can actually hold in our hands - is every bit as wondrous as particle or quantum physics.
The book only misses out on a five-star rating for me because, even with Flicker’s excellent clarity, it’s still dense in places. But making sub-atomic particles, topology, and quantum weirdness genuinely enjoyable for a non-technical reader is a real feat of alchemy.
Fav quote:
“I was once told that the secret to all stage magic is that the magician must put in more effort than anyone in the audience would believe. This is also the secret to physics: it can be done, and by anyone, but it takes a lot of practice. When you’ve got the hang of it, people will see you as a wizard, because they can’t imagine the work that went into developing your understanding.”
Felix Flicker (incredible name!) reveals how the physics of stuff - matter on our everyday scale, that we can actually hold in our hands - is every bit as wondrous as particle or quantum physics.
The book only misses out on a five-star rating for me because, even with Flicker’s excellent clarity, it’s still dense in places. But making sub-atomic particles, topology, and quantum weirdness genuinely enjoyable for a non-technical reader is a real feat of alchemy.
Fav quote:
“I was once told that the secret to all stage magic is that the magician must put in more effort than anyone in the audience would believe. This is also the secret to physics: it can be done, and by anyone, but it takes a lot of practice. When you’ve got the hang of it, people will see you as a wizard, because they can’t imagine the work that went into developing your understanding.”
September 10, 2025
A quirky, playful and incredibly imaginative presentation of physics as we've never seen it before: the closest thing to in fact magic. I had always thought this about Maths, but have been entirely convinced by Flickers.
It is a fun book and I appreciated the premise. I do think, however, you need to have a very good grasp of physical concepts and ideas to 'get the joke' however, otherwise it will go over the head. Unfortunately, having just a curiosity of the subject alone will not give you enough advantage to reap the efforts of Flicker.
Therefore, if you are a student of physics, a physicist, a friend or family of a physicist etc you may just have enough understanding of the scientific content.
Overall, a playful and exciting way to envisage the sciences, if you open up your mind to, occasionally outrageous, possibility!
It is a fun book and I appreciated the premise. I do think, however, you need to have a very good grasp of physical concepts and ideas to 'get the joke' however, otherwise it will go over the head. Unfortunately, having just a curiosity of the subject alone will not give you enough advantage to reap the efforts of Flicker.
Therefore, if you are a student of physics, a physicist, a friend or family of a physicist etc you may just have enough understanding of the scientific content.
Overall, a playful and exciting way to envisage the sciences, if you open up your mind to, occasionally outrageous, possibility!
January 9, 2025
This is a book about condensed matter physics (solids and liquids to you and me). It tries to pull the reader in by making a comic comparison of physicists to wizards. This is a bit annoying, but I can forgive this because the majority of the book is fascinating and well written. It covers a topic not covered by most popular science books. It was quite an eye opener, and I am a Physics teacher. It covered crystals, amorphous solids, magnetic materials, semiconductors, the fermi sea, superfluids and superconductors. The writing is clear, logical and entertaining. I'm going to read it again and I'm sure I will enjoy it even more. A book I will recommend to my students.
November 25, 2023
A reasonably dense read with some very detailed and highly conceptual ideas, this book has been expertly written in the most careful way possible.
A Physics novice could access with book with success, if they are prepared to remain focussed until the end.
The relatable stories and parables greatly help to ground complex ideas into a more tangible real world concept.
A great motivator to begin a journey into a new field of science.
A Physics novice could access with book with success, if they are prepared to remain focussed until the end.
The relatable stories and parables greatly help to ground complex ideas into a more tangible real world concept.
A great motivator to begin a journey into a new field of science.
June 17, 2024
Exactly as the book found me, I found it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews