|  | Author: Brian Greene
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $10.69
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New (27) Used (32) Collectible (2) from $10.69
Seller: gramerbooksellers
Rating:  532 reviews
Sales Rank: 12748
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 464
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6 x 1.9
ISBN: 0393058581
Dewey Decimal Number: 539.7258
EAN: 9780393058581
ASIN: 0393058581
Publication Date: October 20, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: This wonderful former library book is in great shape with the usual library stamps and seals.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 532
 Outstanding beginning, fizzling end July 27, 2009
Vikram Patel (Austin, TX)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first half of this book represents the most cogent and accessible summary of the history of physics from Newton through Einstein that I have ever read. Once the author starts discussing String Theory, the putative subject of this book, things take a turn for slightly less amazing. Though the author is clearly an expert in his field and possesses a passion for his subject, the second half of this book gets so bogged down in details that it's hard to follow. Probably this is because String Theory is a wholly mathematical endeavor, and the author is trying to express in words (a lot of them), what equations would express much more efficently (that's the beauty of equations, after all). Well worth a read, though, particular Part I.
Two Books In One July 25, 2009
Howard P. Grill
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
For me, this was like two books in one. Let me explain:
The first third of the book is truly amazing. This 'book within a book' explains in layman's terms the physics of the universe which is already accepted as 'truth'. These concepts are ordinarily difficult for the non-physicist, non-mathematician to grasp. With beautiful clarity and eloquence, the author is able, using understandable examples, to explain concepts such as time moving more slowly and physical dimensions changing as the speed of light is approached. The probability concepts of quantum mechanics and the problem of reconciling quantum mechanics with the physics of large fast moving objects are discussed in a very understandable way. This part of the book gets a strong 5 star rating for sure.
But the last 2/3 of the book was, to me, less impressive. This is the portion that explains string theory and how it integrates with classic physics. The discussion goes through a history of the development of string theory. Perhaps, given the relative 'newness of the theory, there may not be any other way to go about the discussion. But I found it somewhat tedious, difficult and certainly less exciting to go through the theory's evolution than trying to understand where it stands today.
Additionally, in my opinion, the explanations involving string theory discussion did not have the same clarity as the first part of the book and I don't believe that it is simply because the theory is 'harder' to understand. It seemed like it was written in a totally different style, and if you told me that there were separate authors for the 'classic physics' portion of the book and the string theory portion of the book I would have no trouble believing it.
So, all in all, a strong 5 stars for the first third of the book and 3 stars for the last 2/3...and an overall 4 stars. I should note that I did glean a great deal from the last 2/3, but I just wish it were written 'by the same person' that wrote the first part. Still...I think there is so much information here that the book is one that should be read by anyone who wants to try to understand our universe more deeply. Just remember that string theory is just that...a theory, albeit a seemingly strong and elegant one.
As an aside, I have a Kindle DX and when I downloaded the book all the diagrams and figure were there. So, while I am sure it was true that at one point the figures were missing, as noted by many prior reviewers, the figures are now in the Kindle download and display beautifully on the DX. I don't have a K2 so I can't say anything about how they display on that.
A Mind Opener! July 15, 2009
James Herndon
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I came across a Brian Greene lecture when I was researching the theory of a universe beyond the three dimensions we see. I really enjoyed the lecture and decided to read this book which turned out to be extremely informative. At times it can get hard to understand especially when you get into the quantum mechanics chapters, but it is still a great book to challenge what you've been taught your entire life about science and physics. He uses great analogies to explain the speed of light, relative motion, the behavior of particles and several other concepts. Analogies can seem a little ridiculous sometimes, but for the most part they are exceptional. Fantastic book!!!
 great overview of topics in modern physics July 6, 2009
Teacher (San Diego, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Very interesting book. The author has a gift of explaining very complicated concepts in a way that even a person without a physics background can understand. I also liked that the author doesn't dive into string theory until about a third of the way into the book. He prepares the reader for the concept of string theory by first explaining main ideas of quantum physics and Einstein's theories of relativity.
Exceptional book. June 16, 2009
Mizango (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Second time reading this book and is was just as wonderful as the first time around. Greene pulls you in with this book and visually lets you see the Cosmos through his eyes.
I would definitely recommend, for both novices and for intellectuals alike.
Showing reviews 16-20 of 532
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