The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene (PDF)

Description

A new edition of the New York Times bestseller—now a three-part Nova special: a fascinating and thought-provoking journey through the mysteries of space, time, and matter.Now with a new preface (not in any other edition) that will review the enormous public reception of the relatively obscure string theory—made possible by this book and an increased number of adherents amongst physicists—The Elegant Universe “sets a standard that will be hard to beat” (New York Times Book Review). 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 eleven 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.Today physicists and mathematicians throughout the world are feverishly working on one of the most ambitious theories ever proposed: superstring theory. String theory, as it is often called, is the key to the Unified Field Theory that eluded Einstein for more than thirty years. Finally, the century-old antagonism between the large and the small-General Relativity and Quantum Theory-is resolved. String theory proclaims that all of the wondrous happenings in the universe, from the frantic dancing of subatomic quarks to the majestic swirling of heavenly galaxies, are reflections of one grand physical principle and manifestations of one single entity: microscopically tiny vibrating loops of energy, a billionth of a billionth the size of an atom. In this brilliantly articulated and refreshingly clear book, Greene relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind twentieth-century physics’ search for a theory of everything.Through the masterful use of metaphor and analogy, The Elegant Universe makes some of the most sophisticated concepts ever contemplated viscerally accessible and thoroughly entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐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.

⭐I love reading Brian Greene even though the dude is way too advanced intellectually for me. Not his best book, but still damn, damn good in my book ( no pun intended), especially if you like to think and ponder about big stuff.

⭐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!

⭐This book by Brian Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics, is focussed on string theory. Regrettably, it’s a book I wasn’t able to finish because I found it got more and more complicated as it progressed. It started off well with some excellent explanations of quantum theory and relativity, although most of this I was already familiar with. It then progressed to string theory, and the first few chapters, all covering new ground for me, were well presented. However, I started to get into difficulties as the author tried to explain how the five different string theories may all be variants of a single theory. I struggled to follow much of this and gave up part way through chapter 12, so I didn’t make it to understanding M-theory. Consequently, I never got to read the subsequent chapters on black holes or cosmology.I could have struggled on but one factor in the back of my mind was that the Kindle edition I was reading, which was purchased from Amazon in January 2014, was derived from a book published as long ago as 2000 so I felt it was likely that string theory would have moved on since then. Consequently, I was conscious that some of the more advanced concepts may have been updated or replaced in the intervening years and I might have been wasting my time trying to understand something that was no longer considered valid. These thoughts were somewhat demotivating.But from what I learnt, or at least as it was understood in around 2000, string theory is highly theoretical, with only approximate (and usually multiple) solutions to what are sometimes just approximate equations. There is no strong experimental evidence to support the theory, and neither is the theory of much value in predicting experimental results. Nevertheless, the theory does try to make sense of, and rationalise, the numerous fundamental particles making up the standard model. It also seeks to unite quantum theory with general relativity and gravity. It therefore has the potential to solve problems that have faced physics since the quantum and general relativity theories were first formulated in the early 20th century.It’s undoubtedly a complex theory but Greene does a good job of explaining much of the basics. I particularly liked the way that for many tricky concepts he explained them from two different angles, often using analogies. Therefore, I found that if I didn’t quite understand one explanation, there was often a second explanation from a different perspective that made more sense to me. I found this double attack approach very useful for enforcing many of the basic ideas.String theory requires more dimensions than we are familiar with in our everyday lives, these extra dimensions being very small and curled up. It’s difficult to visualise what this means but Greene provided an excellent (although simplified) explanation of these curled up dimensions using the example of an insect walking along a hose pipe, where the length of the hose pipe represents a dimension we’re all familiar with, and which can be seen from afar, but the cylindrical cross-section of the hose pipe is a curled up dimension, only visible from close-up.Although I didn’t manage to finish it, I’m still awarding this book 4 stars because I doubt that many authors could better Greene’s treatment of this difficult subject. His approach is entirely non-mathematical, which is a challenge for a theory based entirely on mathematics, yet he manages to present many complex ideas in an understandable manner.Looking on Amazon today I discover that the 2000 Kindle edition I was reading has been replaced by a 2011 edition. A sample I downloaded looks very similar to what I’ve already read but I’m wondering if some of the chapters may have changed.

⭐There are hardly any words to describe the impact this book had on me. Superbly written. Difficult to grasp concepts and physics explained in simple analogies that really work. Fantastic insights for our generation as we go forward into a quantum future. This first book is even better than Fabric of the Cosmos. I suppose you might know that each time we move we pass through 11 dimensions of spacetime? No? Well, now’s your chance to find out, understand and realise what physicists have known for some time. A clear explanation of the importance of string theory by one of the foremost physicists in the business. Brilliantly and humorously written… Can’t praise it enough.

⭐An excellent introduction to String Theory for the lay reader. As others have said it may help to have some prior knowledge of modern science, by which I mean if you have no scientific background and you have never read any popular science works on particle physics and relativity before, this may not be the best place to start (others have mentioned for example Stephen Hawking’s

⭐A Brief History Of Time

⭐as perhaps a better place to begin). However, that said, for those readers willing to put in a little effort this is a great read.Greene begins by looking at the bedrocks of modern physics, relativity and quantum theory before progressing on to the eleven dimensions of string theory. It is thanks to writers like Greene, who are able to explain, without resorting to complex mathematics, such difficult concepts that the layman can begin to get a feel for the wonders of the universe. A fascinating read.”[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”In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, [Greene] sets a standard that will be hard to beat.”-New York Times Book Review”[A] tour-de-force of science writing…peels away layers of detail and reveals the stunning essence of cutting-edge physics.”-Shing-Tung Yau, Harvard University; Fields Medallist, winner of the National Medal of ScienceI also recommend two other works by Greene,

⭐The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality

⭐and

⭐The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos

⭐.

⭐The book starts with descriptions of Special and General Relativity which are the best I have ever read. Having mastered this, and feeling very pleased, I moved on and got progressively more confused by every layer of theory and complexity that was added. At first you understand and it makes sense. Then you mostly understand but the details wash over you. Then you just get the gist. In the final chapters you just wonder at the level of complexity that the human mind can achieve without really understanding anything!A Plank length is an incredible 10E-35 meters. The way that Brian Greene explains the significance of this unit makes beautiful sense (although I couldn’t have repeated the explanation even 5 minutes after I read it and marveled at it).This is a great book. Not for anyone wanting to build a universe, but for interested science graduates who want an overview of the state of the art in [the quest for] grand unified theories.

⭐I purchased this book with some trepidation having previously tried to read Hawking’s A Brief History of Time, which I found difficult as my brain is more creative than mathematical, therefore I struggle with absorbing scientific information. This book however is different. It’is relatively easy to read – although I did have to re-read some chapters in order to absorb the information – informative and most importantly, interesting – something which is lacking in other books of this genre. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. The author does include the mathematical equations in the book for those who are interested, but it was clearly written for those who want an explanation of new scientific theory – such as String theory, Quantum theory & M theory, without all the maths. A brilliant book.

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