The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory - Hardcover

Greene, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0224052993 ISBN 13: 9780224052993

Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

Today physicists and mathematicians throughout the world are feverishly working on one of the most ambitious theories ever proposed: superstring theory. String theory, as it is often called, is the key to the Unified Field Theory that eluded Einstein for more than thirty years. Finally, the century-old antagonism between large and small - General Relativity and Quantum Theory - is resolved. String theory proclaims that all of the wonderous happenings in the universe, from the frantic dancing of subatomic quarks to the majestic swirling of heavenly galaxies, are reflections of one grand physical principle and manifestations of one single entity: microscopically tiny vibrating loops of energy, a billionth the size of an atom. In this brilliantly articulated and refreshingly clear book, Brian Greene, one of the world's leading physicists, relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind twentieth-century physics' search for a theory of everything. Through the masterful use of metaphor and analogy, THE ELEGENT UNIVERSE makes some of the most sophisticated concepts ever contemplated viscerally accessible and thoroughly entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.

About this title

Review

To write a book to explain in simple, non-mathematical terms what superstring theory is in not a simple task. In The Elegant Universe Brian Greene, a physicist who works in the area, does a very good job. Superstrings are a theory of particle physics that lays claim to being the ultimate "Theory of Everything", merging Einstein's relativity and quantum mechanics into an understanding of the physics of the very small and very large in the Universe. Hence to understand superstrings, relativity and quantum mechanics have to be explained as well. In this Brian Greene does a very good job, giving one of the best explainations of relativity I have read in the process. Superstring theory is still very much in its infancy and The Elegant Universe does not claim that all the problems have been solved; in fact a point is made of pointing out all the present deficiencies of the theory.

Probably not a book for the very beginner, but anyone who has read popular accounts of particle physics and relativity should gain a lot from reading this book. In places not an easy read, not for the style (which was generally very easy) but simply for the difficulty of some of the concepts involved. Superstring theory may or may not be the theory of everything but this book will certainly tell you what we think we know so far. Definitely recommended, but don't expect to read it in a weekend. --Simon Goodwin

Review

"As rewarding as it gets. . . . A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape.

Sets a standard that will be hard to beat.--George Johnson

Sets a standard that will be hard to beat. --George Johnson"

Compulsively readable. . . . Greene threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for black holes.

As rewarding as it gets . . . a thrilling ride through a lovely landscape.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0224052993
• ISBN 13: 9780224052993
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 464