Discover the 11 dimensions of our reality... | The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and...

A good introduction | The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory | Brian Greene

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	• The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Brian Greene W. W. Norton & Company, 2003 - 464 pages average customer review:based on 505 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Brilliant.

I absolutely loved this book. Greene explains the basic ideas of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, of Quantum Mechanics, of particle physics, ect., and most importantly, String Theory to the layman. He does this in the most interesting and expressive way possible. It was easy to understand and a blast to read. I read this book falling asleep at night and dreamed of other dimensions....I even took it to the laundromat! This book is wonderful; I couldn't put it down.

Discover the 11 dimensions of our reality...

Although I am no particle physicist, Brian Green succeeds to give us a truly passionate account of how close Science is to resolve the problem of matter and what is all the fuss about string theory. Without any equation besides the now-popular E=mc2 but with a good deal of common sense and easy-to-understand examples, the author not only reviews the upmost important results found by Einstein's scientific family but also succeeds to give the reader an excellent feeling of what is a string, how come scientists dare to think there may be more than three spatial dimensions and even maybe more than one universe! On top of it, the author tries to keep a critical mind, noticing us that string theory is up to now "only" a beautiful mathematical object which, for the first time in history of Science, can almost explain everything but is still way, way ahead of experimentation. Thus, like any abstract thing not strongly tight to reality, string theory can still be toppled even by a light breeze...

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A good introduction

This book is a great place to start for those like me who are interested in quantum physics and the newer superstring theories, but could care less about learning any of the complex math involved. Prof. Briane Greene is a very accessible author, and uses good practical examples to explain the theories, beginning with Einsteinian relativity, to Quantum physics, to superstring theory. There's a lot of information here, so one needs to read this book a little at a time and let things "sink in." Also recommended is the very well produced DVD presentation of this book by Nova, which stars Prof. Greene.

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An adventure in physics

If you've ever wondered if some of the way out things in Science Fiction books are possible or even plausible, try The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to read this book. (Although if you are a rocket scientist you may pick up on some of the finer points.) You don't even have to know a lot of physics to enjoy this book but you will have to be interested in physics to get through this book.

Brian takes the reader to the ends of the universe using a host of fictional characters and amusing anecdotes as he tours the warped and bizarre nature of the quantum world. By shrinking to the subatomic you find yourself very far from home without even moving. Curved space, extra dimensions, morphing, and time warps are all drawn back from the realm of Science Fiction and explained in terms of physics using real life situations.

If you want to be able to separate Science Fiction from Science Fantasy, this book belongs in your library. I write in order to inspire young minds to believe in a future of vast possibilities. Transporter beams and spaceship jumps through wormholes are great entertainment, but I find knowing real science and using it in stories that my readers may someday live out, vastly more engaging. The real world Brian brings forth is every bit as wonderful and exotic as any fantasy ever written. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

The story isn't finished either. Toward the end of the book, I got the feeling that Brian was trying to explain things even he didn't fully understand. Does anyone really understand string theory? (Well, I do, but no one will believe me.) I like the way he put the technical notes in the back and included a glossary of terms. The Elegant Universe is a serious effort and a great achievement. Definitely for the above average brain, I recommend this book to explorers of all ages.

Reviewed by Hugh Mannfield at stormbold.com

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An excellent 'travel guide' through the Elegant Universe - but take a look at his The Fabric of the Cosmos

I've recently gone on a quest to update my knowledge (circa 1970 undergrad physics) of SpaceTime, Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Cosmology. In doing so I've read, "Elegant Universe" and "the Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene and "Universe in a Nutshell" by Stephen Hawkins.

All of these works are excellent and have left me thinking 'WOW'. For days afterwards I keep thinking back and wondering ...

How can a quantum wave equation 'collapse' instantly through the universe when the particle it represents is 'detected' in one location?
What is the meaning of extra dimensions?
How do these new discoveries effect Theology?
Is the Entropy explanation the only reason that only Time in SpaceTime is uni-directional (fwd only)?
Etc Etc

Don't expect these works to sum up 'in a nutshell' - they fill one with awe and deep questions.

For my little brain, this has been a wonderful journey - opening up new worlds and, in particular, a new understanding of the Universe. All three of these books have been superb travel guides. My math is totally rusty but that was no detriment to reading either of these three as they do not depend on mathematical schema for there explanations.

However, I'll rank them:

5 stars to Fabric of Cosmos
4 stars to Elegant Universe
4 stars to Universe in a Nutshell.

Fabric is copyright 2006 and includes up to date (fall 2006) info in these rapidly advancing fields. Fabric is more about SpaceTime than string theory predictions (or lack of predictions) regarding the fundamental matter and energy constituents of the Universe. IMHO Brian Greene does a much better job of proceeding sequentially through a topic than Stephen Hawkins.

Elegant Universe (as was his Discovery Channel series) very dependent on String Theory explanations, which is great if string theory proves to be correct, but doesn't quite cover the objections to string theory (which are many) or provide good coverage of alternate theories (see Hawkins books for that). Nevertheless it covers a modern understanding of the Universe and its constituents very well.

The same could be said for Stephen Hawkins in reverse - he doesn't support string theory but does support quantum electrodynamics. Often in reading 'Nutshell' I'd be brought up short by what, to me, was a jump in conclusions. He doesn't lay down nearly the smooth explanatory path that Brian Greene does. So, from an understanding of Physics standpoint, I rate Elegant over Nutshell; but, Stephen Hawkins is a Nobel Laurate and sits on the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge (previously held by Newton and Dirac). His 'A Brief History of Time" and "Universe in a Nutshell" are both fine reads, and have the added advantage of providing a glimpse into a great mind and personal stories describing some conflicts between physicists.

If your focus new discoveries about SpaceTime and the Universe - I'd go with Fabric.
If you interest is more towards the Universe and its fundamental constituents (especially as described by string theories) then I'd go with Elegant Universe.
If you want both physics of the Universe and some insights into a great character - go with Nutshell.

I'm glad I've read all three! I'd especially recommend reading one each from Greene and Hawkins - their different view points highlight the very vigorous on-going debate on major issues.

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