This delightful little book by Italian theoretical physicist Giorgio Parisi (winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics) is remarkable for sharing some tidbits from the physics world, where active research over decades can culminate in breakthroughs that redefine reality as we know it.

While it starts out by describing the flocking behavior of birds (Starlings, from the title), modeled as a complex system, which has only been recently been able to be studied through the use of high frame rate optical cameras and associated software, the book quickly moves on to other topics, including the author’s work on “spin glasses” (phase transitions in certain types of materials).

Along the way, we are treated to the process of top level research in Physics. Some things I took away from the book are noted below:

• Describes making connections between disparate fields of physics over decades of mulling over several different problems.
• Alludes to the use and refinement of unproven mathematical ideas in order to solve physical problems
• Displays passionate love for his field and talks nostalgically about anecdotes from his over 50 year career in physics research.
• Is humorous about situations where researchers (including himself) have sometimes glossed over details as they were then currently working on some other problem, but later came to realize that the thing they had glossed over was actually a Nobel winning idea (for someone else).

The book is a short read, and well worth anybody’s time with an interest in such things.