Final Theory

A Novel

By: Mark Alpert

Narrated by: Adam Grupper

A science professor on the run must find a lost Einstein theory—and keep it from those who might use it to destroy the universe. Don’t miss the “riveting” (Publishers Weekly) doomsday thriller that Booklist calls “a strikingly sweet-natured yet satisfyingly barbed high-tech, high-stakes adventure” in a starred review.

David Swift is called to the hospital to comfort his dying mentor—a renowned scientist who’s been brutally tortured. David is shocked when the old man dies after wheezing “Einheitlichen Feldtheorie.” The Theory of Everything. It was Albert Einstein’s lifetime quest to pin down a unified set of equations that incorporated both relativity and quantum mechanics, combining the physics of stars with the laws of atoms. But Einstein never achieved this goal. Or did he?

In the next two hours, David’s attacked by a Russian assassin, arrested by the FBI, and nearly killed three times. Someone is clearly trying to get their hands on the supposedly failed theory. But why?

As David runs for his life, he’ll team up with his old girlfriend (who happens to be gorgeous, brilliant, and living in Einstein’s old Princeton house), another eccentric disciple of Einstein, and an autistic teenager addicted to video games, in order to work out what Einstein’s theories could possibly be worth to the powers desperate for it—and if the world is even ready for their consequences.©2008 Mark Alpert; (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Wow! Einstein would have loved this book. It's a great thriller, it has a sure feel for politics, and the science is both fun and solid. He always dreamed that he would discover a unified theory that explained all of nature's forces. Now this book makes the quest come alive." -- Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Einstein

"Final Theory is a stupendous read! Real characters, real science, a deliciously explosive premise, and a breakneck plot combine to make this one of the finest science-based thrillers to appear in a long time. Final Theory rules. If I were Michael Crichton, I'd be packing my bags and heading for a quiet retirement in Tahiti..." -- Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author of Blasphemy

Science thriller

From the violent opening scene, I was not sure I was going to like this book. But my perseverance was well rewarded. A terrific thriller with a little science mixed in with pseudo-science. I recently listened to 3 sciencey thrillers, including Stephenson's "Reamde", this one was the best.

Da Vinci Code "Formula"

This story follows the Da Vinci Code formula quite closely. If this does not bother you, this is a very good story with very plausable science and solid history of Einstein's life. If you like science, you should love this book.

I had hoped for more, but the author has hope

I had hoped for a good story, with interesting characters where the author also provides a painless education on physics. The story and character were acceptable but not memorable. I did not mind giving it the time to finish the book. The information on physics, quantum or classical was not giving the attention I would have thought a story that is based on a supposed secret unified theory by Einstine should have been given. An average book.

Gripping and Meandering at Times

Would you listen to Final Theory again? Why?

Overall a good story that develops interesting characters. The premise is fun, and the ramifications of the Final Theory are really intriguing. Any story about some lost nugget of wisdom from Einstein has to be captivating. Add in government and private interests competing, and you have a story that will make you want to endure the few parts where the plot wanders. Give it a listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Honestly one of the anti-heroes-Gupta

What does Adam Grupper bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He reads the characters great!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Almost there.

Along the lines of Angels and Demons or the Da Vinci Code, this one seeks to find the truth to end all truths. I enjoyed the narrations immensely and I'll look for other books narrated by this one. As for the story, it was well-researched and the story was well-written, well-edited, but a bit formulaic and, for me anyway, a bit too predictable. I think this book will make a great movie and I'll be there to watch it. Interesting plot, well developed characters, and I learned something in the process. What more could I ask for.