Customer Rating: 
Summary: Full handy explanation of relativity, quantum mech., & Superstring theory
Comment: I had seen this book before in a bookstore years ago, but I did not buy it. Big mistake. Greene explains the workings of the universe in down to earth terms (no small feat). Expand your brain a Large notch, if you are not scientifically inclined, as to the modern ideas circulating over the all important Superstring theory - without being a mathematician or physicist!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A well-written book about physics on the smallest possible scale
Comment: I think that this book should be reviewed on two levels: how good is the book and how relevant is the subject matter. Let me first address the book on its own merits, irrespective of ones view of string theory.
This book is very well written. It is about physics on the Planck scale (10^-43 seconds and 10^-35 meters), where quantum mechanics and general relativity conflict with one another. String theory was developed to overcome this conflict and in my opinion this book does a very good job of describing what string theory is and why it is needed. It is very clearly written (as clear as possible given a horribly complex subject). Absolutely no mathematics is used; there is nary an x, y, z, c or h in the text. Thus, even the most math-phobic should be able to read this book. Very complex ideas are conveyed through simple analogies, although in a very simplified and superficial manner. The background sections on quantum mechanics and relativity are, however, very superficial and are only included to the extent that some background is required for the more extensive discussion of string theory. This is therefore not the book for someone that wants a review of quantum mechanics or relativity theory, but it is if you want a review of string theory. I particularly liked the first 60% of the book, which was devoted to the quantum mechanics, relativity and the basics of string theory. The last 40%, which is more focused on the author's work on string theory was much harder to follow and caused me to reduce what was until then point a 5 star book to four stars. The more the discussion shifted to Calabi-Yau shapes the more difficult it was to follow and the more it raised questions in my mind about the relevance of string theory. Is it physics or just an exercise in advanced topology? I sometimes got the feeling that I was reading a treatment of how advanced topology can be used to calculate the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.
This is a very good book if you want to learn more about string theory, even perhaps more that you care to know. The question is why should you care to know anything about this subject? Most physicists have grave reservations regarding the relevance of string theory and allied subjects such as quantum gravity. As the author freely admits, string theory has made no experimentally verified predictions of new phenomena, nor has even the smallest part of it been experimentally verified. To make matters worse, there are an infinite number of possible string shapes and vibrations, many of which seem to predict our universe, but there is no way to know which if any is the correct one. Many others predict new particles, which have never been observed, but may exist beyond our experimental capabilities to observe them. Unfortunately, this experimental limitation is not one that is likely to be overcome, since it may require a particle accelerator the size of the whole universe. Nor is the mathematics of string theory very tractable, as some calculations would require the fastest computers over 100 years to run. Advances in computing power may solve these problems, but the only time that enough energy was present to test many of the aspects of string theory was at the instant of the creation of the universe. Nonetheless, Greene makes a strong case for why he and many of the world's best physicists are devoting their careers to string theory. My opinion is that the subject was sufficiently interesting and important to warrant the time that I spent on this book, but it may ultimately be a field that will end up in the dustbin of history. Only time will tell. Perhaps we will know more in a decade or so and then one will be able to read a book about a more definitive approach to physics on the Planck scale. For now, if you want to know about string theory as of 1999, this is about as good a book as there is.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Elegant Universe, an inelegant treatise
Comment: When I picked up this book, I had high expectations. Not only is Professor Greene a pre-eminent physicist and expert in string theory, he also worked with PBS to produce Nova episodes. I expected that the book would be both compelling and clear, but unfortunately my expectations were not met. The physics of the book was too advanced and the explanations very weak. I forced myself to read as far as the fourth chapter, after which I gave up. Does this then entitle me to even write a review? I believe so, because I gave this book an honest effort. I just finished reading the "The God Particle" by Leon Lederman which I found much more informative and humorous, but which also provided a lot of background in physics that would have been useful in understanding "The Elegant Universe". I might give the "The Elegant Universe" another try (except that I gave the book away).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Anyone who is curious about the horizons of theoretical physics will enjoy this book
Comment: In this brilliantty articulated and refreshingly clear book, Greene, a leading string theorist, relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind the search for the ultimate theory. String theory, as the author vividly and easily describes, reveals a vision of the universe that is sending shock waves through the world of physics. Thrilling and revolutionary ideas such as new dimensions hidden within the fabric of space, black holes transmuting into elementary particles, rips and puncutures in the space time continuum, gigantic universes interchangealbe with minusclule ones, and a wealth of others are playing a pivotal role as physicists use string theory to grapple with some of the deepest questions of the ages.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Almost 5 Stars
Comment: Although I felt this book was excellent and covered all the bases there were a few areas that lacked for me and I couldn't quite give it 5 stars. The book started out phenomenally and the section on quantum mechanics was the best that I've read. The analogies that Mr. Greene used made the concepts clear and comprehendable but there were a few chapters in the middle where he used no analogies and I found myself completely lost even after re-reading the chapters. I might be too much of a layman for this book and that would certainly not be Mr. Greene's fault. There were additional parts of the book where I found myself easily destracted and those chapters were almost a chore to finish. Over all I think parts of this book are great for readers who are just begining to study this subject but other whole chapters are definately not.
Summary: Full handy explanation of relativity, quantum mech., & Superstring theory
Comment: I had seen this book before in a bookstore years ago, but I did not buy it. Big mistake. Greene explains the workings of the universe in down to earth terms (no small feat). Expand your brain a Large notch, if you are not scientifically inclined, as to the modern ideas circulating over the all important Superstring theory - without being a mathematician or physicist!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A well-written book about physics on the smallest possible scale
Comment: I think that this book should be reviewed on two levels: how good is the book and how relevant is the subject matter. Let me first address the book on its own merits, irrespective of ones view of string theory.
This book is very well written. It is about physics on the Planck scale (10^-43 seconds and 10^-35 meters), where quantum mechanics and general relativity conflict with one another. String theory was developed to overcome this conflict and in my opinion this book does a very good job of describing what string theory is and why it is needed. It is very clearly written (as clear as possible given a horribly complex subject). Absolutely no mathematics is used; there is nary an x, y, z, c or h in the text. Thus, even the most math-phobic should be able to read this book. Very complex ideas are conveyed through simple analogies, although in a very simplified and superficial manner. The background sections on quantum mechanics and relativity are, however, very superficial and are only included to the extent that some background is required for the more extensive discussion of string theory. This is therefore not the book for someone that wants a review of quantum mechanics or relativity theory, but it is if you want a review of string theory. I particularly liked the first 60% of the book, which was devoted to the quantum mechanics, relativity and the basics of string theory. The last 40%, which is more focused on the author's work on string theory was much harder to follow and caused me to reduce what was until then point a 5 star book to four stars. The more the discussion shifted to Calabi-Yau shapes the more difficult it was to follow and the more it raised questions in my mind about the relevance of string theory. Is it physics or just an exercise in advanced topology? I sometimes got the feeling that I was reading a treatment of how advanced topology can be used to calculate the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.
This is a very good book if you want to learn more about string theory, even perhaps more that you care to know. The question is why should you care to know anything about this subject? Most physicists have grave reservations regarding the relevance of string theory and allied subjects such as quantum gravity. As the author freely admits, string theory has made no experimentally verified predictions of new phenomena, nor has even the smallest part of it been experimentally verified. To make matters worse, there are an infinite number of possible string shapes and vibrations, many of which seem to predict our universe, but there is no way to know which if any is the correct one. Many others predict new particles, which have never been observed, but may exist beyond our experimental capabilities to observe them. Unfortunately, this experimental limitation is not one that is likely to be overcome, since it may require a particle accelerator the size of the whole universe. Nor is the mathematics of string theory very tractable, as some calculations would require the fastest computers over 100 years to run. Advances in computing power may solve these problems, but the only time that enough energy was present to test many of the aspects of string theory was at the instant of the creation of the universe. Nonetheless, Greene makes a strong case for why he and many of the world's best physicists are devoting their careers to string theory. My opinion is that the subject was sufficiently interesting and important to warrant the time that I spent on this book, but it may ultimately be a field that will end up in the dustbin of history. Only time will tell. Perhaps we will know more in a decade or so and then one will be able to read a book about a more definitive approach to physics on the Planck scale. For now, if you want to know about string theory as of 1999, this is about as good a book as there is.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Elegant Universe, an inelegant treatise
Comment: When I picked up this book, I had high expectations. Not only is Professor Greene a pre-eminent physicist and expert in string theory, he also worked with PBS to produce Nova episodes. I expected that the book would be both compelling and clear, but unfortunately my expectations were not met. The physics of the book was too advanced and the explanations very weak. I forced myself to read as far as the fourth chapter, after which I gave up. Does this then entitle me to even write a review? I believe so, because I gave this book an honest effort. I just finished reading the "The God Particle" by Leon Lederman which I found much more informative and humorous, but which also provided a lot of background in physics that would have been useful in understanding "The Elegant Universe". I might give the "The Elegant Universe" another try (except that I gave the book away).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Anyone who is curious about the horizons of theoretical physics will enjoy this book
Comment: In this brilliantty articulated and refreshingly clear book, Greene, a leading string theorist, relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind the search for the ultimate theory. String theory, as the author vividly and easily describes, reveals a vision of the universe that is sending shock waves through the world of physics. Thrilling and revolutionary ideas such as new dimensions hidden within the fabric of space, black holes transmuting into elementary particles, rips and puncutures in the space time continuum, gigantic universes interchangealbe with minusclule ones, and a wealth of others are playing a pivotal role as physicists use string theory to grapple with some of the deepest questions of the ages.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Almost 5 Stars
Comment: Although I felt this book was excellent and covered all the bases there were a few areas that lacked for me and I couldn't quite give it 5 stars. The book started out phenomenally and the section on quantum mechanics was the best that I've read. The analogies that Mr. Greene used made the concepts clear and comprehendable but there were a few chapters in the middle where he used no analogies and I found myself completely lost even after re-reading the chapters. I might be too much of a layman for this book and that would certainly not be Mr. Greene's fault. There were additional parts of the book where I found myself easily destracted and those chapters were almost a chore to finish. Over all I think parts of this book are great for readers who are just begining to study this subject but other whole chapters are definately not.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Reviews: Page 4 of 101
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