Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is renowned for its mystery and magic. What's the truth behind it all? Is the golden compass actually based in science? How does the subtle knife cut through anything? Could there be a bomb like the one made with Lyra's hair? How do the Gallivespians' lodestone resonators really work? And, of course, what are the Dark Materials? Drawing on string theory and spacetime, quantum physics and chaos theory, award-winning science writers Mary and John Gribbin reveal the real science behind Philip Pullman's bestselling fantasy trilogy in entertaining and crystal-clear prose.

Originally published: London : Hodder Children's Books, 2003.

Introduction -- Bright materials: the secret of science, and all the stars that shine -- Dark materials: the hidden world, and the nature of dust -- Northern lights: lights in the sky, and the magnetic web -- Golden compass: the meaning of truth, and the unconscious -- Other worlds: worlds beyond the world, and the quantum cat -- Subtle knife: hidden dimensions, and how to cut them -- Worlds of if: the power of choice, and a balancing act -- Living together: the nature of wheels, hummingbirds, and the living planet -- Amber spyglass: how to see invisible light, and the way scientists work -- Entanglement: love is all you need.