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Original Essays | May 3, 2013

Emily St. John Mandel: IMG The Festivals

2 comments By Emily St. John Mandel

When it happens, it feels like winning the lottery. An email arrives out of the blue, from one of my publishers or a festival director or a member... Continue »
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The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

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

 

Staff Pick

Many books have been written in an attempt to explain quantum physics to the layperson. Considering that most physicists still have problems coming to grips with the counter-intuitive implications of quantum theory, it is easy to understand why they do not always succeed in communicating the mind-bending revelations about reality demonstrated by the famous double-slit experiment. Brian Greene succeeds where other books have fallen short; his explanations made the most sense to me after reading them. Plus, the fast-paced world of high-energy physics is constantly revising its models and theories. First published in 1999, The Elegant Universe is still a fairly current discussion about the attempts of superstrings and M-theory to achieve the highly sought after grand unification of quantum theory and the theory of relativity.
Recommended by Orin, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

In a rare blend of scientific insight and writing as elegant as the theories it explains, Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, 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-from the smallest quarks to the most gargantuan supernovas-is generated by the vibrations of microscopically tiny loops of energy.

Green uses everything from an amusement park ride to ants on a garden hose to illustrate the beautiful yet bizarre realities that modern physics is unveiling. Dazzling in its brilliance, unprecedented in its ability to both illuminate and entertain, The Elegant Universe is a tour de force of science writing-a delightful, lucid voyage through modern physics that brings us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.

Review:

"The Elegant Universe is compulsively readable.... Greene threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for black holes." New York

Review:

"[An] important book.... The Elegant Universe presents the ideas and aspirations-and some of the characters-of string theory with clarity and charm." Scientific American

Review:

"As good as it gets.... [A] thrilling ride through a lovely landscape." Los Angeles Times

Review:

"[Greene] writes with poetic eloquence and style.... [He] does an admirable job of translating a wholly mathematical endeavor into visual terms." The Washington Post Book World

Review:

"[Greene's] metaphors often provide beauty and power.... The Elegant Universe is a rewarding read." Discovery Magazine
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About the Author

Brian Greene received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He joined the physics faculty of Cornell University in 1990, was appointed to a full professorship in 1995, and in 1996 joined Columbia University where he is professor of physics and mathematics. He has lectured at both a general and a technical level in more than twenty-five countries and is widely regarded for a number of groundbreaking discoveries in superstring theory. He lives in Andes, New York, and New York City.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
Inland See, January 17, 2010 (view all comments by Inland See)
This book is the Rosetta stone for understanding 21st-century physics. It is easy to follow the author as he explains the current state of physics and the quest for "the theory of everything". Don't worry about understanding complex mathematics - there is none. The book is about fascinating concepts, ideas and the future. After you read this book, news from the large Hadron collider in Europe will take on a whole new meaning and you may want to add a "Physics" category on your Google news page.
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chandra9787, July 30, 2008 (view all comments by chandra9787)
worth reading>>one can knows wat his n his surrounding made up of and can realse the real source of power(energy),ultimate theory of all ever explained>>>
good
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uncle_loki, July 7, 2007 (view all comments by uncle_loki)
Brian Greene has a talent for conveying complex ideas in a way that is easy to understand. He is constantly using word pictures (and sometimes actual pictures) to explain relativity, quantum theory, and other topics that are utterly fascinating but are sometimes difficult to get your brain around. Elegant Universe is not a light read, but for those looking to get a moderate understanding of the subject matter I highly recomend it.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780375708114
Subtitle:
Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
Author:
Greene, Brian
Author:
Various
Publisher:
Vintage
Location:
New York :
Subject:
Physics
Subject:
Astronomy
Subject:
Cosmology
Subject:
Astronomy - Universe
Subject:
Nuclear Physics
Subject:
Superstring theories
Subject:
Cosmogony
Subject:
Astronomy - General
Subject:
Mathematical Physics
Subject:
General science
Subject:
Physics-General
Copyright:
1999
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series:
Vintage
Series Volume:
no. 61
Publication Date:
20000229
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT
Pages:
464
Dimensions:
8.14x5.16x.94 in. .95 lbs.
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Related Subjects


Science and Mathematics » Featured Titles in Tech » General
Science and Mathematics » Physics » Cosmology
Science and Mathematics » Physics » General
Science and Mathematics » Physics » Grand Unified Theory
Science and Mathematics » Physics » Popular

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.50 In Stock
Product details 464 pages Vintage Books USA - English 9780375708114 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

Many books have been written in an attempt to explain quantum physics to the layperson. Considering that most physicists still have problems coming to grips with the counter-intuitive implications of quantum theory, it is easy to understand why they do not always succeed in communicating the mind-bending revelations about reality demonstrated by the famous double-slit experiment. Brian Greene succeeds where other books have fallen short; his explanations made the most sense to me after reading them. Plus, the fast-paced world of high-energy physics is constantly revising its models and theories. First published in 1999, The Elegant Universe is still a fairly current discussion about the attempts of superstrings and M-theory to achieve the highly sought after grand unification of quantum theory and the theory of relativity.

by Orin
"Review" by , "The Elegant Universe is compulsively readable.... Greene threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for black holes."
"Review" by , "[An] important book.... The Elegant Universe presents the ideas and aspirations-and some of the characters-of string theory with clarity and charm."
"Review" by , "As good as it gets.... [A] thrilling ride through a lovely landscape."
"Review" by , "[Greene] writes with poetic eloquence and style.... [He] does an admirable job of translating a wholly mathematical endeavor into visual terms."
"Review" by , "[Greene's] metaphors often provide beauty and power.... The Elegant Universe is a rewarding read."
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