Books : The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 539.7258
EAN: 9780393058581
ISBN: 0393058581
Label: W. W. Norton & Company
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 464
Publication Date: October 20, 2003
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Sales Rank: 2891
Studio: W. W. Norton & Company
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Brian Green peels away the layers of mystery surrounding string theory to reveal a universe that consists of 11 dimensions, where the fabric of space tears and repairs itself, and all matter is generated by the vibrations of microscopically tiny loops of energy.
Amazon.com Review:
There is an ill-concealed skeleton in the closet of physics: "As they are currently formulated, general relativity and quantum mechanics cannot both be right." Each is exceedingly accurate in its field: general relativity explains the behavior of the universe at large scales, while quantum mechanics describes the behavior of subatomic particles. Yet the theories collide horribly under extreme conditions such as black holes or times close to the big bang. Brian Greene, a specialist in quantum field theory, believes that the two pillars of physics can be reconciled in superstring theory, a theory of everything.
Superstring theory has been called "a part of 21st-century physics that fell by chance into the 20th century." In other words, it isn't all worked out yet. Despite the uncertainties--"string theorists work to find approximate solutions to approximate equations"--Greene gives a tour of string theory solid enough to satisfy the scientifically literate.
Though Ed Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study is in many ways the human hero of The Elegant Universe, it is not a human-side-of-physics story. Greene's focus throughout is the science, and he gives the nonspecialist at least an illusion of understanding--or the sense of knowing what it is that you don't know. And that is traditionally the first step on the road to knowledge. --Mary Ellen Curtin
Average Rating: 
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A good read i would recommend for anyone who is interested in science or astronomy.
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This is a fine book but the Real Universe is only HERE: Schroedinger's Universe and the Origin of the Natural Laws
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Don't know much about new physics? This is stuff I didn't get the first time around--they weren't discussing it back then since all of us were running from the dinosaurs....
Anyway, Greene has a good descriptive edge that will keep you reading even if the subject of string theory and quantum physics gets a little too deep. Even if you've had physics 1 and 2 in college, I guarantee that those basic classes won't cover anything mentioned here, but you'll better have the mindset to take in this information.
Good luck! And remember that a college education is never a waste--if you really think how to use it well. A science background will certainly make you a better television series writer.
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There were parts of this book that were difficult to grasp, but what I liked about it was it's explanation of quantum foam and hidden dimensions. Quantum foam is a general concept in physicis that I had heard of, but didn't really understand. The author explained the meaning of it in a clear and succinct way, and showed why it is such a stumbling block for a unified theory. Also, his description of hidden dimensions made that concept much clearer for me. A good book if you are interested in physics and cosmology.
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...but this stuff is good. Greene goes a little overboard with the analogies, but it's almost necessary to do so with such technical material (at least when it's obvious his target reader is someone with little collegiate-level training in physics). I personally love anything that attempts to explain our physical world, and Greene does just that in a very original and sincere way. String theory is a hard concept to grasp -and quantum mechanics is even harder, but after reading this book two times through, the information really begins to sink in. Most people are simply unaware of the possibility of additional dimensions, or at least, are aware of them but believe they only exist in science fiction. I can't wait for technology to catch up to the claims these scientists are making. I advise anyone to read this book. Good intro to the subjects.
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