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tofugitive's review
3.0
About 40% of the way through, it became too complicated to follow. Maybe I'm just too stupid. But the first 40% was entirely worth listening to.
barq's review
4.0
Brian Greene has done an outstanding job in explaining the most complex areas of Physics in layman's terms.
ninakeller's review
4.0
Brian Greene is incredible. A Columbia University professor and theoretical physicist, he cares deeply about making the incomprehensible physical universe tangible to laymen like me.
Though I cannot say I gained comprehension of the fine points of string theory and quantum physics, I was exposed to ideas of back holes and Calabi-Yau shapes, etc. that I was not previously aware of. He tells stories about mathematicians and scientists who have grappled with and moved forward human understanding of the universe.
The author uses familiar metaphors and storytelling to bring the non-expert closer to conceptualizing big ideas about the universe and where we are at the cutting edge of theoretical physics at this point in history.
I will read and re-read more of his work as I follow my curiosity about the wonders of the history and trajectory of the universe we find ourselves in.
Though I cannot say I gained comprehension of the fine points of string theory and quantum physics, I was exposed to ideas of back holes and Calabi-Yau shapes, etc. that I was not previously aware of. He tells stories about mathematicians and scientists who have grappled with and moved forward human understanding of the universe.
The author uses familiar metaphors and storytelling to bring the non-expert closer to conceptualizing big ideas about the universe and where we are at the cutting edge of theoretical physics at this point in history.
I will read and re-read more of his work as I follow my curiosity about the wonders of the history and trajectory of the universe we find ourselves in.
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This book describes physicists' search for a theory of the universe and the current state of their understanding, focusing on the author's own area of expertise: superstring theory. I found it rewarding, thought-provoking, and illuminating, though at times very challenging. As a footnote in chapter ten states, "Some of the ideas in this and the next few sections are rather subtle, so don't be put off if you have trouble following every link in the explanatory chain..."
I like the way the book is organized. Before Greene goes deep into string theory, he has chapters on special relativity, general relativity, quantum mechanics, and on the difficulty reconciling the last two of these with each other. This sets the stage for string theory, a theory which enables the merging of general relativity and quantum mechanics. The middle of the book then presents the main framework of string theory, leaving the final chapters to delve into its connection to M-Theory, black holes, and cosmology. Greene describes difficult concepts without diving into mathematics -- mostly successfully, though I was left baffled on a couple of occasions -- leaving it to the chapter notes to hint at the mathematical details. (I note that I have a mathematics degree, but it doesn't encompass the math of string theory.)
I love the quest to find the ultimate underpinnings of the universe, a quest that has some of the same flavor as fundamental philosophical questions. The possibilities that the book raises are fascinating: that the fundamental ingredients of the universe may not be elementary particles, but rather vibrating strings or branes; that the universe may not have begun in a pure big bang singularity, but in a tiny Planck-size nugget of strings; that the familiar four space/time dimensions may be outnumbered by additional dimensions curled up in strange Calabi-Yau shapes. Highly recommended.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
I like the way the book is organized. Before Greene goes deep into string theory, he has chapters on special relativity, general relativity, quantum mechanics, and on the difficulty reconciling the last two of these with each other. This sets the stage for string theory, a theory which enables the merging of general relativity and quantum mechanics. The middle of the book then presents the main framework of string theory, leaving the final chapters to delve into its connection to M-Theory, black holes, and cosmology. Greene describes difficult concepts without diving into mathematics -- mostly successfully, though I was left baffled on a couple of occasions -- leaving it to the chapter notes to hint at the mathematical details. (I note that I have a mathematics degree, but it doesn't encompass the math of string theory.)
I love the quest to find the ultimate underpinnings of the universe, a quest that has some of the same flavor as fundamental philosophical questions. The possibilities that the book raises are fascinating: that the fundamental ingredients of the universe may not be elementary particles, but rather vibrating strings or branes; that the universe may not have begun in a pure big bang singularity, but in a tiny Planck-size nugget of strings; that the familiar four space/time dimensions may be outnumbered by additional dimensions curled up in strange Calabi-Yau shapes. Highly recommended.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
andgineer's review
5.0
Понравилась больше популярных книг Стивена Хокинга.
И, поскольку я раньше вообще ничего про тему струн не знал, было очень интересно.
И, поскольку я раньше вообще ничего про тему струн не знал, было очень интересно.
headrook's review against another edition
4.0
I would like to add my kudos for Greene's book. It is a great piece of work that is truly fascinating and informative. This isn't just for the science geek. It's also for those who enjoy philosophy, cosmology, theology, and mind benders. You will truly need to warp your perception of what you once thought you knew. This is not the physics I learned in school. If it had been, I'd have paid more attention. (This is the perfect book to challenge your mind and keep it active.)
Let me also add, that as of this writing, PBS has done a wonderful thing and provided the entire three-hour special based on this book online. If you are finding certain parts slow going and difficult to comprehend, this special is perfect for walking you through some of the more difficult concepts (in my case, folded dimensions and how strings interact with them). Go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/.
Let me also add, that as of this writing, PBS has done a wonderful thing and provided the entire three-hour special based on this book online. If you are finding certain parts slow going and difficult to comprehend, this special is perfect for walking you through some of the more difficult concepts (in my case, folded dimensions and how strings interact with them). Go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/.