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

This is an impressive work that explains the highly complex non-intuituve string theory in amazingly lucid clear writing style to the general public. Similar to many physics books  which survey classical theories for the readers, Greene offers his own elucidation on relative motion in special relativity and in  warped space in general relatvity that is even more detailed and clear than some physics text books. His transition of how String theory offers a solution to bridge general relatvity and quantum mechanics because of String theory's geometry to cope with quantum undulation at the microscopic scale is very intuitive and helpful. His explanations on how the 3 families of particles in Standard Theory are best explained by just variations of vibrating strings frequency and strength are also relatable and convincing.Greene's use of the garden hose universe to explain the curled up dimensions in string theory and how they are  hidden from and connected to extended dimensions is exceptionally lucid and helpful, making us easy to grasp how 3 extended space dimensions we experience are related to 6 curled up space dimensions, together with time making up 10 dimensions. The 9 dimensions don't just crumbled up in any shape but in a unique 6 dimensional Calabi-Yau shape derived from many researchers calculations. Hence, the universe is made up of the Calabi-Yau shape manifold in curled up 9 dimensional space configuration together with time. The final 11th dimension space is explained by the need of the two dimensional membranes in M theory which is used to resolve the dilemma of 5 version of string theory. Greene further explained that the five versions are just different depiction of string theory with three of which Type 1, Herotic O, and Herotic E being large/small radius duality equivalence of each other and with the rest of the two, Type IIA and Type IIB, having the same reciprocal dualiy. This whole 11 dimensional geometric scheme development is carefully and lucidly written with unmatched clarity over these connected concepts of Kaluza-Klein theory, Calabi-Yau, shapes and M theory.Though Greene does not use the actual equations from perturbation approach and Kaluza-Klein geometry of String theory to flesh out his explanations, it is still not easy to conceptually grasp the concepts of String Theory for anyone who does not have university level education in physics or mathematics. Greene actually warns his readers about the difficulty of the subject despite his best effort. It takes work to get through this work.Another feature I like in any physics books is the anecdote stories of the journey of the physicists doing research. Greene shared his stories of his journey in String theory. The separate research efforts on the mirror symmetry Calabi-Yau shapes for space tearing flop between Greene's group, to include Aspinfall and Morrison, while at Princeton, and Witten is an interesting story. Greene also included various stories of String theory second revolution in 1995.Overall, this book is a brilliantly clear introduction to string theory that is going to be a classic.

You emerge on the other side of this book intellectually on par with the most cutting edge physicists of today: Well, minus all the complex mathematical equations and technical jargon of course. However, from a conceptual platform, you are able to visualize the kind of ground breaking ideas that have driven quantum physics into a brave new world of our reality. The author has a gifted ability to simplify complex physical concepts with sensible and intuitive examples that meshes seamlessly with our notions of common sense; that too, without "dumbing down" the key complexities of the theories put forth. It is a testament to his great reputation indeed, for Brian Greene, the author, a prominent mover and shaker in the field of Superstring Theory, to be able to construct a conceptual world for the lay person without burdening the readers with complex formulas and mathematics.The book commences on the exploration of Einstein's notion of relativity, followed by the foundations of quantum physics, with both these fields having occupied physicists for the better half of the 20th century. Greene goes on to elaborate the frictions, paradoxes and inconsistencies arising from attempts of eminent scientists to reconcile these two extremely different scientific dogmas that both seem to define our reality. Enter String Theory, a revolutionary new discovery that turns physics as we know it on its head by not only merging general relativity and quantum physics into a single plausible framework, but also harboring new insights and implications on the nature of reality. These insights include a universe of 11 dimentsions, mathematical predictions for supersymmetry and the possibility of space-time ruptures, an area in which Greene has been most productive in, and for whose contributions he has been highly respected for. We see the 21st century as a kind of Renaissance for physics, as String Theory, with the ardent and novel outburst of myriad conceptual discoveries, has evolved into Super-String Theory and finally the M-Theory, perhaps the true "Theory of Everything" that has been the Holy Grail of Physics from the days of Einstein. However, the common thread running throughout the book is the idea of "symmetry", an overarching concept that accounts for the word "Elegant" in the title of this book.Not only are the rhetoric superb and visual examples highly intuitive, the author's tone is brimming with excitement and passion for the subject matter, the kind of enthusiasm that seeps out onto the readers, making them want to take a journey with Greene as he explores the universe. Furthermore, the author gives full credit (and refernces) to all the key contributors of modern science from the more familiar names like Newton, Einstein, Bohr, and Hawking to the less prolific (at least to the lay person) but equally brilliant personalities like Kaluza, Klein, Calabi, Yau, Fermi, Bose and a host of other eminent scientists. Reading this book was like being invited to a soiree for dinner and conversation with all these scientific minds in one room. Furthermore, the author, although passionate, remains admirably objective in his postulations, acknowledging the weaknesses and flaws in such a dynamic new field, and establishing caveats for the readers before they move on from controversial topic to controversial topic.This is a great book, one that takes the readers step by step on an adventure into inner space and outer space simultaneously. We gain a better understanding of "what we are" in the bigger picture although deeper questions like "Who we are" and "Why we are here?" remains up for grabs. However, like Greene endorses, the closer we come to discovering the nature of the universe, the more we are equipped and prepared to tackle these deeper questions with scientifically viable answers. Notice how I have refrained from going into too much detail on the content of the book itself; that would be tantamount to giving away "spoilers" for a gripping suspense novel or movie; And I know how we all hate that!

The first half of the book is a well-written refresher for the theory of relativity and the basics of quantum mechanics and does not require a Ph.D. in physics to understand. The second half of the book is focused on string theory's history and evolution. The sections on string theory are conceptually demanding to understand and required several re-reads.As other reviewers have stated, the book is worth reading just for the review of the relativity and quantum sections. Regarding the sections on string theory, it is unlikely that you will find a better description of this topic.

And he reads them slow and then wants to discuss them with someone. He loves this one and it permeates his thoughts all day and keeps him busy with ideas. Super great purchase and I recommend it

My son enjoyed this book

Muito bom. Leitura estimulante. Texto claro, levanta dúvidas acerca da visão atual, mas, ao mesmo tempo, mostra o valor das pesquisas e da elaboração de teorias acerca da estrutura do Universo. Recomendo também "Até o Fim do Tempo" onde o Autor discute a entropia com clareza para os não iniciados na Termodinâmica.

Written in 1999, I found this was not for the faint hearted, e.g. my background is the Arts with a life-long fascination with science. When necessary, it is illustrated with quality black-and-white diagrams which help. Brian Greene writes well and, as the title suggests, sees the Universe, not “just as” cut-and-dried science. The more he discovers/explains, the more he recognises the elegance. He writes with the clarity of Richard Dawkins, Jim al Khalili, Jacob Bronowski, appreciating the wonder, seeing the links.The book is divided into five sections, then sub-divided:1. Edge of Knowledge2. Dilemma of Space, Time and Quanta3. Cosmic Symphony4. String Theory and Fabric of Spacetime5. Unification in the Twentieth CenturyFor many, the first sections will be more comfortable reading, the latter being more challenging in which, on occasions, I felt like a twenty-first century Columbus, challenged all the way with new material and ideas. Space and Time in section two become Spacetime in section four and he ponders whether the fabric of the universe can be torn and, if so, what will result.“Einstein’s general relativity says no, the fabric of space cannot tear. The equations of general relativity are firmly rooted in Riemannian geometry … the underlying mathematical formalism requires that the substrate of space is ‘smooth’ …” (P. 263) He then considers the results of irregularities, tears, dents and bumps, a universe in which Einstein’s theory breaks down and quantum physics facilitates this new understanding.For non-physicists, be prepared to read sections more than one but be prepared also for the elegance to emerge as the brain fabric is stretched into new knowledge.Well worth the effort to keep up with Mr Greene.

Exquisitely written and explains the basics of string theory. Good packaging and the book got quality, and I'm in love with this elegant subtle cover page it got.

The author talks about important facts of the general relativity. Next he has an approach to the mirror symmetry. It is interesting the words of Yau, who admits that by mathematical view, the mrror symmetry is only conjectural and probably also in error. It needs to aspect the job of Batyrev for an exact proof. Nevertheless it born several models about the physics of the strings. Greene explicates those arguments with a strong passion and a nice style.