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

Greene, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0375708111 ISBN 13: 9780375708114

Publisher: Vintage Books, 2000

Synopsis

An accomplished professor of physics and mathematics unravels the complexities of superstring theory for the average reader in a lucid and entertaining account, using analogies from everyday life to explain the elegant underlying principles of the universe. Reissue. (A NOVA mini-series, airing on PBS in January/February 2003, hosted by Brian Greene) (Science & Mathematics)

About this title

About the Author

Brian Greene is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University.  He lives in New York City.

From the Back Cover

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 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. And with the potential to unify all the forces of nature, some have even hailed string theory as a "Theory of Everything".

Greene uses examples ranging 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.

From the Inside Flap

"[Greene] develops one fresh new insight after another...In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, The Elegant Universe sets a standard that will be hard to beat." --George Johnson, "The New York Times Book Review
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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Vintage Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0375708111
• ISBN 13: 9780375708114
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448