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Quantum Computing for Everyone
An accessible introduction to an exciting new area in computation, explaining such topics as qubits, entanglement, and quantum teleportation for the general reader. Quantum computing is a beautiful fusion of quantum physics and computer science, incorporating some of the most stunning ideas from twentieth-century physics into an entirely new way of thinking about computation. In this book, Chris Bernhardt offers an introduction to quantum computing that is accessible to anyone who is comfortable with high school mathematics. He explains qubits, entanglement, quantum teleportation, quantum algorithms, and other quantum-related topics as clearly as possible for the general reader. Bernhardt, a mathematician himself, simplifies the mathematics as much as he can and provides elementary examples that illustrate both how the math works and what it means. Bernhardt introduces the basic unit of quantum computing, the qubit, and explains how the qubit can be measured; discusses entanglement—which, he says, is easier to describe mathematically than verbally—and what it means when two qubits are entangled (citing Einstein's characterization of what happens when the measurement of one entangled qubit affects the second as “spooky action at a distance�); and introduces quantum cryptography. He recaps standard topics in classical computing—bits, gates, and logic—and describes Edward Fredkin's ingenious billiard ball computer. He defines quantum gates, considers the speed of quantum algorithms, and describes the building of quantum computers. By the end of the book, readers understand that quantum computing and classical computing are not two distinct disciplines, and that quantum computing is the fundamental form of computing. The basic unit of computation is the qubit, not the bit.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2019
486 people are currently reading
1,619 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 25, 2019
While this is a decent introduction to many of the fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and quantum computing, this is certainly not quantum computing for everyone. Simply put, this is a book designed for those with a pre-existing mathematical background who wish to understand several important mathematical concepts which brought about the possibilities of harnessing the qubit. This is not a book for the lay-person nor one which will bring you up to speed with the field of quantum computing by the end of it, rather, if you take your time you will be left with a satisfactory understanding - on a mathematical level - as to how such feats have been made possible. Difficult to recommend broadly due to the heavy - and I mean heavy - reliance on equations and advanced algebraic knowledge.
August 24, 2019
Not for everybody. I took matrix algebra in college and did ok, so I could follow along for the first few chapters, but I rapidly reached the point where I just read the text and ignored the math. Why? I took it on faith that the math showed what the author wrote - and that was enough to make this still worth reading. I learned a lot; for example, entanglement does NOT mean that information can be transmitted faster than the speed of light . . . the Science Fiction reader in me was very disappointed to read that. Also of interest is the fact that there are quantum algorithms and indeed quantum computers available for general use via the internet. I'm not enough of a math person to say with any conviction that this book will help you grok quantum algorithms; but my guess is that for the right person with enough vector algebra and the desire to stick to it this book could put him or her over the top.
August 26, 2022
this book is definitely not “for everyone� � i got a degree in computer science and have taken classes on linear algebra, probability, theory of computation, and cryptography, and i had a hard time by chapter 8
regardless, still pretty interesting survey of what quantum computing is and why it’s important
regardless, still pretty interesting survey of what quantum computing is and why it’s important
December 22, 2021
Maybe not for everyone - I would say everyone with some math aptitude - but this book was exactly what I was looking for. It explained things that were unclear from other quantum computing content I've engaged with, including qubit notation, entanglement, and quantum gates. Before diving into quantum gates, the book devoted a whole chapter to an introduction/review of classical gates, which was helpful. I was able to follow along with all of the computations in the quantum algorithms. It was a shorter book than I was expecting, but I got a good understanding of quantum computing on a basic level.
June 18, 2022
I loved this one. Quantum computing sounded like black magic to me and I wanted to understand how it actually works. This book does exactly that - shows you the mathematical apparatus behind it all and then explains a little bit about current issues with hardware implementations. It reminded me how I was studying principles of neural networks back in early 2000s, when the mathematics invented back in the 50s just started to become "implementable" on modern computers.
For me it was just the right amount of math - easy to pick up, easy to follow. When you flip through the pages it looks like a lot of them are covered in math, but seriously, it's all linear algebra, matrices, basic probabilistic ideas and some boolean algebra on top of it. For anyone who studied computer science, this is not that hard to grasp even if you haven't done any math for a while.
I feel like now I can follow the quantum computing news in general media and actually understand what they are about and how close we are to breaking modern cryptography (judging from the book, we still have a pretty long way ahead of us on the last one).
For me it was just the right amount of math - easy to pick up, easy to follow. When you flip through the pages it looks like a lot of them are covered in math, but seriously, it's all linear algebra, matrices, basic probabilistic ideas and some boolean algebra on top of it. For anyone who studied computer science, this is not that hard to grasp even if you haven't done any math for a while.
I feel like now I can follow the quantum computing news in general media and actually understand what they are about and how close we are to breaking modern cryptography (judging from the book, we still have a pretty long way ahead of us on the last one).
May 22, 2024
Before I started, I knew next to nothing about bout quantum or computing. Now, I feel like I can hold a conversation about either, and approach learning about either topic more deeply if I wanted to. Thanks, Chris Bernhardt!
August 4, 2023
As accessible as a complicated subject like Quantum Computing can be made, this was a very interesting look into the theory and mathematics behind Quantum Computing, and an examination of a few quantum algorithms and their advantages to traditional algorithms.
December 19, 2019
This is a hard philosophy book, if such a thing exists. It explains the basis of quantum computing with such mathematical rigor that you cannot but wholeheartedly agree with the author's more abstract conclusions on computing and its place in the universe. I will be thinking about this book for some time.
December 27, 2020
Like a smart guy I started reading this book. Like the guy I am I understood maybe a fifth to a tenth of it.
September 15, 2024
2 sterren aftrek voor misleidende titel. Wiskunde al snel veel te ingewikkeld
March 10, 2025
Devoured this one because it is so devourable! I picked this one up after reading about Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip. That news story made me realize that I'm not prepared for the world to come. I think this is a great starting point if you feel like you're in the same place.
Though I don't necessarily agree that it's "for everyone," with my engineering undergraduate math training, I was able to understand everything to a satisfactory degree. The math made the concepts clearer, rather than obfuscating them, which is a feat by the writer. I feel more prepared to read more about the technical aspects of quantum computing having read this, and I will certainly be reading more in the near future.
Though I don't necessarily agree that it's "for everyone," with my engineering undergraduate math training, I was able to understand everything to a satisfactory degree. The math made the concepts clearer, rather than obfuscating them, which is a feat by the writer. I feel more prepared to read more about the technical aspects of quantum computing having read this, and I will certainly be reading more in the near future.
November 28, 2020
Pretty good
This is a nice introduction to the basics of quantum computing. What it covers it covers thoroughly and well. But it does leave a lot out. It is at best a first few bites. Great for beginners. A bit of a rush to finish at the end. Where descriptions get a bit scrappy.
I have serious reservations on leaving out complex numbers and phase. And hence talk of orthogonal rather than unitary matrices. But I see why he did it.
The measurement rule is not synonymous with the Copenhagen interpretation. The measurement rule stands on its own as an experimental fact and operating principle requiring some explanation ... or not. The Copenhagen interpretation is a pseudo philosophical spray of words attempting to deny that there is a problem. It is not widely accepted any more, quite the contrary.
Quantum computing is a way of computing functions more quickly. Everything computable on a quantum computer is computable on a classical computer. Just not as quickly. Wild talk of quantum computing being the new general model of computation is basically nonsense.
This is a nice introduction to the basics of quantum computing. What it covers it covers thoroughly and well. But it does leave a lot out. It is at best a first few bites. Great for beginners. A bit of a rush to finish at the end. Where descriptions get a bit scrappy.
I have serious reservations on leaving out complex numbers and phase. And hence talk of orthogonal rather than unitary matrices. But I see why he did it.
The measurement rule is not synonymous with the Copenhagen interpretation. The measurement rule stands on its own as an experimental fact and operating principle requiring some explanation ... or not. The Copenhagen interpretation is a pseudo philosophical spray of words attempting to deny that there is a problem. It is not widely accepted any more, quite the contrary.
Quantum computing is a way of computing functions more quickly. Everything computable on a quantum computer is computable on a classical computer. Just not as quickly. Wild talk of quantum computing being the new general model of computation is basically nonsense.
September 15, 2023
I enjoyed the read as I am rather passionate on learning about quantum computing as I hope to pursue careers in this technology as it enters into a more practical space in the next decade.
That being said, the book is by no means “for everyone�. Even with a background in EE and CS, I found the math dense sections a challenge to follow and will require a second read for better comprehension. I was able to understand well enough, but someone with no previous knowledge of linear algebra, vectors, control systems, physics, and CS fundamentals will be so lost that this is probably not the read for them. Ironically I feel like I saw detailed math proofs yet was not given much on the practical programming that goes behind these devices, which I feel like would be more useful for a general audience. Summaries of the math findings would have probably been better received frankly.
Happy to have completed this because it did help me learn new concepts for me to build on in future books and through practical learning in my future.
That being said, the book is by no means “for everyone�. Even with a background in EE and CS, I found the math dense sections a challenge to follow and will require a second read for better comprehension. I was able to understand well enough, but someone with no previous knowledge of linear algebra, vectors, control systems, physics, and CS fundamentals will be so lost that this is probably not the read for them. Ironically I feel like I saw detailed math proofs yet was not given much on the practical programming that goes behind these devices, which I feel like would be more useful for a general audience. Summaries of the math findings would have probably been better received frankly.
Happy to have completed this because it did help me learn new concepts for me to build on in future books and through practical learning in my future.
December 28, 2019
Bernhardt provides an excellent insight into the rapidly growing field of Quantum Computing in this easy to digest text. I was looking for an introductory text into the field that contained up to date information since the field has changed significantly in the last 10 years. This text provides a simple explanation of the challenging mathematics of quantum computers and insight into quantum gates. The language and notation of this field are explained excellently. Taking a class on linear algebra before reading this book would be very helpful.
June 6, 2022
The title of the book is very misleading. This is not for Everyone.
Or it for Everyone, that is has a degree in Advanced Mathematics.
Moving along, as the title says, it's a book that explains the basic concepts of Quantum Computing.
Even though the author made extra efforts to try to simplify Mathematics and Physics, it is still very complex for someone to follow.
For someone to really understand the book, it will need to have a pencil and a paper, to follow along with the Mathematics involved.
Or it for Everyone, that is has a degree in Advanced Mathematics.
Moving along, as the title says, it's a book that explains the basic concepts of Quantum Computing.
Even though the author made extra efforts to try to simplify Mathematics and Physics, it is still very complex for someone to follow.
For someone to really understand the book, it will need to have a pencil and a paper, to follow along with the Mathematics involved.
Read
January 7, 2020' Everyone ' who is a doctoral candidate in Set Theory that is
June 20, 2024
Despite being around for decades, the words “quantum mechanics� still make eyes roll even in a room of educated people. Few really understand the phenomena. Among those more scientifically minded, some � thankfully fewer in number � still argue that quantum mechanics will give way someday to a more classical approach. The controversial part of quantum mechanics, which foiled even Albert Einstein, states that to measure the spin or velocity of an electron, one must interfere with the system permanently. This enmeshment of the measurer with the system confuses people, but numerous experiments highlight this paradox. It seems to be an innate part of the universe, not merely a technological limitation.
Smart physicists and mathematicians have noticed an opportunity around quantum mechanics: We can address computational questions with its approach. A system of “qubits� can be used to address problems that classical computing cannot address. This observation has produced a new scientific field of quantum computing. Recently, major companies have begun to jump into this technology in a quest for early supremacy.
Most textbooks use a lot of math to introduce quantum computing � rightfully so because mathematics provide the basis towards all computation. But a math-heavy approach makes the field relatively inaccessible. To address this shortcoming, Chris Bernhardt provides an introduction to the subject with less mathematics. The book teaches basic linear algebra needed to approach the subject. It’s still heavy on the words, not the mathematics, and draws out applications and challenges that confront the field.
Since a child, I have loved mathematics and its creative expressivity. I enjoyed how Bernhardt introduced me to relevant concepts and drew me into quantum concepts. By the end of the book, however, I glazed over the mathematics in favor of just getting the book completed. Perhaps that is a personal failing, but it’s one that I witnessed in many of my college math classes, too!
I found the next-to-last chapter on quantum algorithms the least accessible, but the last chapter on quantum applications was the most interesting. Those in the investment community can find a deep dive into this topic helpful to carefully discover future winners and losers in this burgeoning field. Quantum computing presently requires a lot of money to access, but presumably, like classical computing, that cost will go down with time. This field is fascinating to think about, and Bernhardt makes it truly accessible “for (almost) everyone.�
Smart physicists and mathematicians have noticed an opportunity around quantum mechanics: We can address computational questions with its approach. A system of “qubits� can be used to address problems that classical computing cannot address. This observation has produced a new scientific field of quantum computing. Recently, major companies have begun to jump into this technology in a quest for early supremacy.
Most textbooks use a lot of math to introduce quantum computing � rightfully so because mathematics provide the basis towards all computation. But a math-heavy approach makes the field relatively inaccessible. To address this shortcoming, Chris Bernhardt provides an introduction to the subject with less mathematics. The book teaches basic linear algebra needed to approach the subject. It’s still heavy on the words, not the mathematics, and draws out applications and challenges that confront the field.
Since a child, I have loved mathematics and its creative expressivity. I enjoyed how Bernhardt introduced me to relevant concepts and drew me into quantum concepts. By the end of the book, however, I glazed over the mathematics in favor of just getting the book completed. Perhaps that is a personal failing, but it’s one that I witnessed in many of my college math classes, too!
I found the next-to-last chapter on quantum algorithms the least accessible, but the last chapter on quantum applications was the most interesting. Those in the investment community can find a deep dive into this topic helpful to carefully discover future winners and losers in this burgeoning field. Quantum computing presently requires a lot of money to access, but presumably, like classical computing, that cost will go down with time. This field is fascinating to think about, and Bernhardt makes it truly accessible “for (almost) everyone.�
June 19, 2024
A fascinating book and a topic that may be easily misunderstood: the application of quantum mechanics to computing. The author does not shy away from the maths of linear algebra and matrix computations, but if you stick with it and work through or think about the maths, you'll get a better understanding of how quantum computing works, instead of getting a 'hand-wavy' non-mathematical view.
The book starts with the basics of quantum mechanics: how the act of measurement alters the properties of a quantum object like light (photons) or electrons. Next, linear algebra and matrix computations are introduced, and it is probably best for the reader to work through or become familiar with this, or much of the rest of the book will be incomprehensible. Next, the mathematics are then used to show how measurements of quantum objects cause them to take on the measured states: this is the 'shut up and calculate' form of quantum mechanics, where not much is said about what quantum mechanics is, but only about what it does.
Using mathematics, the author then shows what happens when two particles are entangled and their states measured. He carefully shows how measuring the state of one entangled particle 'instantaneously' causes another particle to take another known state, and why this does not lead to 'faster than light' communication. He also shows the calculations on how Bell's Inequality shows that quantum entanglement is real and not a due to a 'hidden variables' form involving classical particles.
The author then switches topics to introduce logic gates, which leads to the topic of quantum gates. Again, mathematics is used to show how such quantum gates work. These quantum gates are then combined to produce quantum circuits, which are then used to show how 'superdense coding' and quantum teleportation work.
Finally, the work culminates by looking at quantum algorithms and how they achieve 'better' results and classical algorithms. Finally, a brief look at how quantum computers could perform better than their classical counterparts is given.
The book starts with the basics of quantum mechanics: how the act of measurement alters the properties of a quantum object like light (photons) or electrons. Next, linear algebra and matrix computations are introduced, and it is probably best for the reader to work through or become familiar with this, or much of the rest of the book will be incomprehensible. Next, the mathematics are then used to show how measurements of quantum objects cause them to take on the measured states: this is the 'shut up and calculate' form of quantum mechanics, where not much is said about what quantum mechanics is, but only about what it does.
Using mathematics, the author then shows what happens when two particles are entangled and their states measured. He carefully shows how measuring the state of one entangled particle 'instantaneously' causes another particle to take another known state, and why this does not lead to 'faster than light' communication. He also shows the calculations on how Bell's Inequality shows that quantum entanglement is real and not a due to a 'hidden variables' form involving classical particles.
The author then switches topics to introduce logic gates, which leads to the topic of quantum gates. Again, mathematics is used to show how such quantum gates work. These quantum gates are then combined to produce quantum circuits, which are then used to show how 'superdense coding' and quantum teleportation work.
Finally, the work culminates by looking at quantum algorithms and how they achieve 'better' results and classical algorithms. Finally, a brief look at how quantum computers could perform better than their classical counterparts is given.
September 7, 2020
Good entree into this field, but not really "for everyone." The title is ambitious, and might be accurate for the motivated seeker who is willing to fill in knowledge gaps with further independent research. However, if someone is starting from scratch, they are not going to get more than a cursory sense of this field. After all, developing any depth of appreciation for the computer science, quantum mechanics, and physics behind quantum computing is going to take more than 200 pages. As someone with an informal background, I would prefix the title with "Introduction to," with the knowledge that your background will determine what you get out of this book.
Regardless, the author does an admirable job in getting past the breezy news hype around quantum computing, to explain a bit of why QC works, and the basic math behind it. I found the book very useful to sharpen some points, even with a working background in the aforementioned fields and serving on an institutional quantum computing working group. The discussion of classical gates alone was worth it, and the classification of basic universal quantum gates was valuable. The author does a nice job of topic selection, and generally covers the right breadth and depth for each topic leave the reader confident enough to move on to the next level of sophistication.
Regardless, the author does an admirable job in getting past the breezy news hype around quantum computing, to explain a bit of why QC works, and the basic math behind it. I found the book very useful to sharpen some points, even with a working background in the aforementioned fields and serving on an institutional quantum computing working group. The discussion of classical gates alone was worth it, and the classification of basic universal quantum gates was valuable. The author does a nice job of topic selection, and generally covers the right breadth and depth for each topic leave the reader confident enough to move on to the next level of sophistication.
February 14, 2023
This is a read recommended by ChatGPT. I asked it for a latest pop-sci book on quantum computing and got a short list of 5 titles, two of which are rather old, one non-existing (maybe it fabricated it on the fly?) and another title that is actually a talk show instead of a book. But the last hit, after I checked it on Google and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, seems to be a solid one. And it turns out true.
This book contained a ton of formulae, more than I've even seen in any other book after graduating - actually, more than the total of those, I believe. Don't feel intimidated! The author makes an innovative and ingenious simplification so that that the maths involved are accessible (as the title promises) while maintaining fidelity. It's an easy journey to follow the author through the labyrinth of quantum computing and get some entry level of quantitive knowledge - in contrary to qualitive which you can get in most other similar books.
The author makes it very clear at the beginning that he'll focus on the maths of quantum computing, and he keeps his words true. It might not be your first pop-sci read into this realm. But once you've read a book or two about quantum physics, this is your perfect next read to take a glimpse of the maths behind those "spooky" phenomena.
This book contained a ton of formulae, more than I've even seen in any other book after graduating - actually, more than the total of those, I believe. Don't feel intimidated! The author makes an innovative and ingenious simplification so that that the maths involved are accessible (as the title promises) while maintaining fidelity. It's an easy journey to follow the author through the labyrinth of quantum computing and get some entry level of quantitive knowledge - in contrary to qualitive which you can get in most other similar books.
The author makes it very clear at the beginning that he'll focus on the maths of quantum computing, and he keeps his words true. It might not be your first pop-sci read into this realm. But once you've read a book or two about quantum physics, this is your perfect next read to take a glimpse of the maths behind those "spooky" phenomena.
December 30, 2023
Solid, accessible (middle- to high-school level math) intro to quantum computing. Recommended reading and the author does a great job explaining the subject from zero. I really wanted to give it 5 stars but some things were missing for me. First, the author jumped from classical gates to quantum gates without discussing the critical piece; these gates can work on qubits without examining the states of those qubits. It's very non intuitive and definitely non-trivial that you can actually build a physical device that 'flips' a state like a|0>+ b|1> to state b|0>+a|1> without examining the qubit, collapsing the state, and 'ruining' the qubit in the process. Second miss was about explanations of algorithms. In the last part of the book, the author discusses a few basic quantum algorithms like Deutsch's algorithm or Simon's algorithm etc, and goes over the mechanics of how they work. However, the author does not pause to discuss *why* they work, on an intuitive, gut level. Even the simplest one, Deutsch's algorithm, is a lot more than just qubit manipulation. It's easy to describe the mechanics of the process. It would have been very helpful to get author's insights on the underlying reasons. Missed opportunity.
February 18, 2025
The key idea of quantum computing is summarised on page 169: quantum circuits multiply orthogonal matrices and change the orthonormal basis. This is a tool to change the perspective of solving a problem. The trick is to find one that shows the answer. The whole book therefore explains the above-mentioned ideas through mathematical descriptions of the components of gates and circuits. The mathematical principles of qubits, superpositions, and entanglements are very clearly explained. The author delivers what he has promised. These ideas can indeed be described using high school algebra. He is also honest about the difficulty in understanding Simon’s Algorithm - one of the three quantum algorithms he discusses in depth. I have to admit I don’t think I have a good grasp of all the details of this algorithm probably because it is quite tedious to check and follow all the steps. However, the gist of it is well conveyed. So, yes, this is highly recommended. It is actually quite unbelievable that something like this can be explained in a simplified yet not dumbed down way and with all the mathematics nicely laid out. Five stars.
January 2, 2025
I would consider myself to be the appropriate audience for this book despite the title’s misnomer “For Everyone�. With a pedigree in Comp E, I did not find the math is extremely difficult to follow; however, I quarreled with the flux this book went through of oversimplifying key concepts. It felt that I had a solid grasp on the core of what is being taught, but the teaching broke down as we introduced complexities.
To follow the author and use an unnecessary analogy, it felt like teaching a circuits course using water flow analogies. Sure, it is quite intuitive for understanding things like current, voltage, and resistance, but it breaks down with more complex subjects. It truly takes the understanding of a Coulomb to grasp current AND capacitance.
The author took a shot at making a very unintuitive subject approachable for all. This is an extremely difficult task, and he did well with respect to the complexity, but there were several frustrations and lingering questions that built up through my reading.
To follow the author and use an unnecessary analogy, it felt like teaching a circuits course using water flow analogies. Sure, it is quite intuitive for understanding things like current, voltage, and resistance, but it breaks down with more complex subjects. It truly takes the understanding of a Coulomb to grasp current AND capacitance.
The author took a shot at making a very unintuitive subject approachable for all. This is an extremely difficult task, and he did well with respect to the complexity, but there were several frustrations and lingering questions that built up through my reading.
April 6, 2021
I'm so impressed the author managed to teach a whole book on quantum mechanics without using complex numbers. (If you don't know what complex numbers are, trust me, it's impressive.) For me, with a solid background in vectors an matrices, this was just what I needed. If you are not comfortable with vectors and matrices, learn about those first and come back to this book later. (These topics are introduced in this book but it might not be enough if you never learned those before.)
I sort-of understood the math until the last two chapters, which are more advanced. I'm not taking this for school so it's ok if I don't work out every problem in detail and instead take it on faith. This book has worked-out math problems but it doesn't have explicit homework. If you need to learn the math well, you'll want something that has explicit homework problems with answers in the back.
I sort-of understood the math until the last two chapters, which are more advanced. I'm not taking this for school so it's ok if I don't work out every problem in detail and instead take it on faith. This book has worked-out math problems but it doesn't have explicit homework. If you need to learn the math well, you'll want something that has explicit homework problems with answers in the back.
December 18, 2022
First comment: this book is Not for Everyone :P
While the book is based on basic vector algebra, it might be a little tough for people with weak mathematical background.
The book focuses on the quantum computing theory/mathematics rather than the hardware of a quantum computer. The author starts by discussing main concepts of quantum computing like spin, superposition, and entanglement. Then, he give an overview on classical logic gates, followed by an introducing to quantum gates (key part of the book). He concludes by discussing some quantum algorithms. Overall, the book was a helpful introduction to start learning quantum computing.
While the book is based on basic vector algebra, it might be a little tough for people with weak mathematical background.
The book focuses on the quantum computing theory/mathematics rather than the hardware of a quantum computer. The author starts by discussing main concepts of quantum computing like spin, superposition, and entanglement. Then, he give an overview on classical logic gates, followed by an introducing to quantum gates (key part of the book). He concludes by discussing some quantum algorithms. Overall, the book was a helpful introduction to start learning quantum computing.
September 22, 2023
It is an accessible introduction but it is definitely not “for everyone�. The first chapters are amazing, as the book progresses it becomes more and more mathematically intense, this needs to be read with a lot of paper and pencil by the side to think with the book and really extract the meaning of it all.
It did help me better understand the topic but I was not able to really interpret chapters on quantum algorithms.
Confidence in the reader is needed for this book. I do suggest it and recommend it very much. Even if, like me, you don’t understand it well enough (or at all
Haha) it is a good stimulating and thought-provoking read.
It did help me better understand the topic but I was not able to really interpret chapters on quantum algorithms.
Confidence in the reader is needed for this book. I do suggest it and recommend it very much. Even if, like me, you don’t understand it well enough (or at all
Haha) it is a good stimulating and thought-provoking read.
July 3, 2022
The best book I read about quantum computing. It's not a reference book like Nielsen/Chuang, which contains advanced mathematical topics, but it gives you a clear explanation of the main concepts with examples easy to follow. Yet, the title is misleading: it's for everyone... provided that they have a certain understanding of linear algebra and boolean logics plus some basics of geometry, probabilities etc. I personally had to read some chapters twice and was in trouble with the Fourier transformation and Shor's and Grover's algorithms but it worth the effort
April 1, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book very much as it was my first time in trying to understand how quantum algorithms actually work - with the emphasis on „trying�. It would be impossible to read this book without my prior knowledge on quantum physics. I think the author forgot that this domain is so bizarre an unintuitive that you really need to be provided with a whole bunch of additional information to understand it. The maths is kept simple, but I needed to practice, read some more materials and do some calculations on paper to get it. This is why getting through this book took me much longer than I expected. It was worth the extra extra effort though!
September 14, 2019
Good accessible overview of quantum computing. Avoids complex math formalisms in a good way. A few topics in the last two chapters were forced in and too briefly discussed (seemed like the author really, really wanted to include them, but wanted to keep the book brief so didn’t do them justice).
Caveat: I found this very accessible, but do have a PhD in physics, so calibrate this review appropriately.
Caveat: I found this very accessible, but do have a PhD in physics, so calibrate this review appropriately.
May 21, 2020
Opens a Gate to a New Realm
I really enjoyed the book. Took notes, tried to perform calculations on my own. Quantum world has unique properties. This book shows how we can manipulate quantum mechanics to build quantum computers. It shows the logic underlying quantum computation simplifying the language as much as possible. It might still seem confusing, though. Author briefly explains the math we need such as linear algebra and logic gates. Good job.
I really enjoyed the book. Took notes, tried to perform calculations on my own. Quantum world has unique properties. This book shows how we can manipulate quantum mechanics to build quantum computers. It shows the logic underlying quantum computation simplifying the language as much as possible. It might still seem confusing, though. Author briefly explains the math we need such as linear algebra and logic gates. Good job.
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