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277 reviews for:
Piękno Wszechświata. Superstruny, ukryte wymiary i poszukiwanie teorii ostatecznej
Brian Greene
4.03 AVERAGE
277 reviews for:
Piękno Wszechświata. Superstruny, ukryte wymiary i poszukiwanie teorii ostatecznej
Brian Greene
4.03 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
challenging
informative
slow-paced
I got this book from my neighbor down the road who insisted that I become a physics guru in order to enlighten him to the mysteries of the world :/. I approached this gargantuan stack of physics and math books that he gave me and the first book that catches my eye is this one. I knew little to nothing about string theory and I heard it was the next big thing in the world of theoretical physics, so I bit. For the first few chapters I was absolutely enthralled with the insights into special relativity, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. The analogies he uses are clear, concise, and I would often explain what I had learned to friends using the same analogies. I had already written a paper on Albert Einstein so I knew a bit about relativity, but Greene shed new light on topics I hadn't even thought about. His mixture of technical language with down-to-earth diction was nearly perfect.
However, as I continued to delve deeper into the mysteries of string theory, frankly, I lost interest. His analogies became scarcer and scarcer as the book drug on and couldn't bring myself to read more than 15 pages at a time without thinking, "Are there better things I could be doing right now?". The insights in the beginning of the book that left me pondering for hours slowly fell away until all that was left was dense material on twisted fabrics, Calab-Yau spaces (still not sure what they are), and dimensions on dimensions on dimensions. Regardless, I finished the book, and I still think I took a lot of insights away from it. I now feel confident that I could hold a conversation about the rudimentary principles of string theory, so I would call that a success.
However, as I continued to delve deeper into the mysteries of string theory, frankly, I lost interest. His analogies became scarcer and scarcer as the book drug on and couldn't bring myself to read more than 15 pages at a time without thinking, "Are there better things I could be doing right now?". The insights in the beginning of the book that left me pondering for hours slowly fell away until all that was left was dense material on twisted fabrics, Calab-Yau spaces (still not sure what they are), and dimensions on dimensions on dimensions. Regardless, I finished the book, and I still think I took a lot of insights away from it. I now feel confident that I could hold a conversation about the rudimentary principles of string theory, so I would call that a success.
I've been diving into some physics books to try to catch up on scientific knowledge that hasn't been a part of my lexicon for a long time. It hasn't been a straightforward or easy journey, but I'm getting there. Greene's book on String Theory has definitely provided that well-balanced mix between a scientific and detailed book and an accessible and digestible narrative. There were plenty of metaphors and examples throughout that simplified what to me at least was a very complex topic, and I find this is a good foundational book for someone dipping their toes in physics.
As a theory, nonetheless, I must stress that this is not an answer to the big question, but a potential "theory of everything". It hasn't been proven - in fact, it might have been quite battered down in recent years. Therefore, take everything with a grain of salt and a critical mind that a science book should ultimately stimulate.
I will admit, though, that despite the accessible and interesting character of The Elegant Universe, I find myself forgetting quite a lot of what it contained... I suck. I do recommend it because, again, I felt like it provided a lot of the foundation to understand physics in our time, but I am not sure I personally attained a greater understanding. You'll let me know how it works for you.
As a theory, nonetheless, I must stress that this is not an answer to the big question, but a potential "theory of everything". It hasn't been proven - in fact, it might have been quite battered down in recent years. Therefore, take everything with a grain of salt and a critical mind that a science book should ultimately stimulate.
I will admit, though, that despite the accessible and interesting character of The Elegant Universe, I find myself forgetting quite a lot of what it contained... I suck. I do recommend it because, again, I felt like it provided a lot of the foundation to understand physics in our time, but I am not sure I personally attained a greater understanding. You'll let me know how it works for you.
Brian Greene is a well known and revered physicist and his ability to explain some of the more complex underpinnings of physics in relatively simple ways is well appreciated. In this book, however, even as he maintains his customary brilliance with explaining concepts of classical physics, Einsteinian general relativity and the world of subatomic particles, he fails to deliver a clear picture of the strings that are the primordial constituents of the superstring universe. Part of the problem is that the principles of string theory seem to be rooted in the mathematics, which in itself is described as daunting and complex, which if you are not studying at a detailed level, you may not grasp the import of. But the other part of the problem is that Dr. Greene makes several attempts to explain why point particles fail to unite the concepts of general relativity with quantum mechanics and how the concept of superstrings solves this problem elegantly.
Due allowance is to be made to the fact that some of the concepts presented in the book such as curled up dimensions and Calabi-Yau spaces are very hard for our brains evolved to perceive our three-dimensional world, to comprehend. Analogs are used where possible to use alternate well known mechanisms to explain the movement of strings and their peculiarities and distinguishing attributes from point particles. However, no compelling argument is made as to why these characteristics should offer a better solution to the problem of unifying all fundamental forces into a grand theory of everything that harmonizes general relativity and quantum mechanics. For now, the reader is asked to be content with the assertion that the math works out and this may well be true, but it tends to be a little dissatisfying to the reader who wants to hear the arguments and make up their own mind. In spite of all that, this is a very interesting read to get some bearings around all the work that has been done and is being done in the space of superstring, the M theory and much more that is fundamental to a strong understanding of physics and a laundry list of things that we do not understand yet but are working hard to decipher.
Due allowance is to be made to the fact that some of the concepts presented in the book such as curled up dimensions and Calabi-Yau spaces are very hard for our brains evolved to perceive our three-dimensional world, to comprehend. Analogs are used where possible to use alternate well known mechanisms to explain the movement of strings and their peculiarities and distinguishing attributes from point particles. However, no compelling argument is made as to why these characteristics should offer a better solution to the problem of unifying all fundamental forces into a grand theory of everything that harmonizes general relativity and quantum mechanics. For now, the reader is asked to be content with the assertion that the math works out and this may well be true, but it tends to be a little dissatisfying to the reader who wants to hear the arguments and make up their own mind. In spite of all that, this is a very interesting read to get some bearings around all the work that has been done and is being done in the space of superstring, the M theory and much more that is fundamental to a strong understanding of physics and a laundry list of things that we do not understand yet but are working hard to decipher.
I especially enjoyed that this book provided the exact description of the space-time relationship with a black hole event horizon that was in a fictional trilogy I read this past year. I am so much more impressed with the fictional trilogy now that I realize the effort the author must have put it to get the whole scenario right with the physics world.
so elegantly written that i am still in shock. recommended for anyone and everyone. xx
I'm so over quantum mechanics and string theory books bro. They all say the same things. 2/3 in and I'm struggling.
That said, if I were to recommend only one book to learn the most about cool science things, the title would go to this book. *and I've read loads of science books*
That said, if I were to recommend only one book to learn the most about cool science things, the title would go to this book. *and I've read loads of science books*
It’s been over a decade since the publication of the popular and bestselling The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. In the original introduction, Greene talks about not knowing how a book on superstrings, quantum theory, and the theory of everything would be popular; and now ten years later, with another new edition, along with the release of his new book, The Hidden Reality; it seems like many readers continue to be fascinated by the mysteries of our world and the cosmos.
Greene covers a lot in the 460 page book; actually he covers too much, but this is his key: the reader is rarely left with more questions. He breaks everything down to its bare bones, going into detail on the discovery of whatever subject he is addressing – quantum mechanics, relativity, superstrings, dark matter – when it was discovered; and all the research and theories that have been conducted on the subject. One way Greene makes such complicated facets of physics accessible to everyday readers is in his use of copious examples, using ordinary situations that anyone can understand; then in the following chapter, when another example is needed, the same characters from the previous example are back in a different situation. Not only does this make the concept easier to understand for the reader, but it creates a mental image and memory that in turns makes it simpler to remember.
The universe is a big, dark, scary place and it’s very complicated to explain a lot of what’s going on. Fortunately, The Elegant Universe serves as an excellent guide book, as Greene takes you by the hand and leads you step by step through the complexities of our cosmos.
Originally written on January 24, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 50 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Greene covers a lot in the 460 page book; actually he covers too much, but this is his key: the reader is rarely left with more questions. He breaks everything down to its bare bones, going into detail on the discovery of whatever subject he is addressing – quantum mechanics, relativity, superstrings, dark matter – when it was discovered; and all the research and theories that have been conducted on the subject. One way Greene makes such complicated facets of physics accessible to everyday readers is in his use of copious examples, using ordinary situations that anyone can understand; then in the following chapter, when another example is needed, the same characters from the previous example are back in a different situation. Not only does this make the concept easier to understand for the reader, but it creates a mental image and memory that in turns makes it simpler to remember.
The universe is a big, dark, scary place and it’s very complicated to explain a lot of what’s going on. Fortunately, The Elegant Universe serves as an excellent guide book, as Greene takes you by the hand and leads you step by step through the complexities of our cosmos.
Originally written on January 24, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 50 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.