Awards

• Winner of Aventis Prize for Science Books 2000
• Winner of Aventis Prize for Science Books 2000.
• Winner of Aventis Prizes for Science Books: General Prize 2000
• Winner of Aventis Prizes for Science Books: General Prize 2000.

Overview

The 25th Anniversary Edition of Brian Greene's iconic bestseller, combining great scientific insight and elegant writing to unravel the greatest mysteries of one of our most complex scientific concepts- string theory. THE 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION - INCLUDING A NEW PREFACE AND EPILOGUE FROM BRIAN GREENE The iconic bestseller that introduced legions to modern physics and the quest for the ultimate understanding of the cosmos, featuring a new preface and epilogue. With a rare blend of scientific insight and writing as graceful as the theories it explains, The Elegant Universe remains the unrivalled account of the modern search for the deepest laws of nature. In this new 25th anniversary edition, renowned physicist Brian Greene updates his classic work with a new preface and epilogue summarising the significant theoretical and experimental developments over the past quarter-century. From established science, including relativity and quantum mechanics, to the cutting edge of thinking on black holes, string theory, and quantum gravity, The Elegant Universe makes some of the most sophisticated concepts ever contemplated thoroughly accessible and entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to comprehending how the universe works. INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST 'Compulsively readable...Greene threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes' New York Times

Full Product Details

9780099289920

Table of Contents

Reviews

[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 Medalist, winner of the National Medal of Science Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes * New York * As rewarding as it gets... A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape... A compelling human saga * Los Angeles Times Book Review * Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings, explaining why they are generating so much excitement among their devotees. Greene's achievement is to make us feel at home in the chillingly abstract world of strings and to convince us that we must take it seriously * Sunday Telegraph * 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 * New York Times Book Review *

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 * New York Times Book Review * Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings, explaining why they are generating so much excitement among their devotees. Greene's achievement is to make us feel at home in the chillingly abstract world of strings and to convince us that we must take it seriously * Sunday Telegraph * As rewarding as it gets... A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape... A compelling human saga * Los Angeles Times Book Review * Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes * New York * [A] tour-de-force of science writing...peels away layers of detail and reveals the stunning essence of cutting-edge physics

Superstring theory may provide the long-sought unification of physics for which Einstein sought in vain. Here is a look at the current state of the quest. Greene (a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia and Cornell) begins by pointing out the central problem of modern physics. Quantum mechanics and general relativity both work perfectly, and they cannot both be right. Relativity works for large, massive objects; quantum theory for tiny ones. Normally, the two realms can be kept separate. Yet increasingly, physics deals with phenomena such as black holes, where the conflicts are impossible to avoid. Out of the search for a more complete explanation came string theory. Its foundations were laid down some 30 years ago by Gabriele Venizano, who found that a two-century-old formula by Leonard Euler described subatomic particles more elegantly than existing theory. The relationships would make sense if elementary particles were not pointlike, but elongated and vibrating, like tiny musical strings - in one sense, a modern version of the ancient metaphor of the music of the spheres. It took a while for physicists to embrace string theory; for one thing, it seemed to predict things nobody had ever seen. And despite its formidable explanatory power, its mathematical expressions were often even more formidable - Greene describes some of the equations as nearly impossible to understand, let alone solve. Still, it has the right look about it, and two waves of enthusiasm (one in the mid-1980s, the other ten years later) have convinced many physicists of the theory's probable validity. Greene deftly summarizes these findings, in areas from subatomic-particle theory to cosmology, with occasional forays into deeper waters such as the ten-dimensional structure of the universe, with several dimensions folded undetectably back into themselves. A final chapter forecasts that string theory will become the standard physical model in the next century. Entertaining and well-written - possibly the clearest popular treatment to date of this complex subject. (Kirkus Reviews)

Brian Greene's exhilarating book is yet another in the series of totally accessible volumes written by physicists for the non-specialist reader. The blend of acute scientific insight and well-written prose is highly seductive, as Greene deals with the layers of mystery surrounding 'string theory', in which the universe consists of 11 dimensions, and the fabric of space tears and repairs itself. All matter (from the smallest quarks to the most imposing supernovas) is generated by vibrations of microscopic loops of energy. The string theory has been hailed as a Theory of Everything, with its potential to unify all the forces of nature. Greene's use of simile is particularly apposite, with everything from an amusement park ride to ants on a garden hose used to explain the strange and beautiful realities revealed by modern physics. Many will find Greene's lengthy but readable book the most popular addition yet to the library of popular science. (Kirkus UK)

Not since the extraordinary success of A Brief History of Time has a scientific book caused such a stir. An eloquent sweep through the history of modern physics and cosmology. - Sunday Times; A theory of physics which defies empirical confirmation, predicts there are ten dimensions and proposes that the fundamental particles of matter are infinitely tiny strings is not the obvious basis for a bestseller, but Greene makes it zip along. - Nigel Hawkes, The Times; The Elegant Universe is a delightful, lucid introduction to the greatest problem in all of physics, the quest to unify the laws of nature. Greene does a masterful job in presenting complex materials in a lively, engaging manner. Highly recommended to anyone who has aver gazed at the heavens and wondered, as Einstein did, if God had a choice in making the Universe. - Michio Kaku; If you want to tangle with string theory then this lucid unweaving of its intricacies and knottiest problems in words and pictures will take you to the frontiers of modern physics. Outstanding. - John D Barrow

Author Information

Brian Greene is a professor of physics and mathematics and director of Columbia University's Center for Theoretical Physics, and is renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries in superstring theory. His bestselling books include The Elegant Universe, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, and The Fabric of the Cosmos.

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