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Today physicists and mathematicians throughout the world are feverishly working on one of the most ambitious theories ever proposed: superstring theory. String theory 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 solved. 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.
Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory A new edition of the New York Times bestsellernow a three-part Nova special on PBS-TV coming in Fall 2003: 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 theorymade possible by this book and an increased number of adherents amongst physicistsThe 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 matterfrom the smallest quarks to the most gargantuan supernovasis 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.
"[A] delightful, lucid introduction to the greatest problem in all of physics, the quest to unify all the laws of nature. Greene does a masterful job in presenting complex materials in a lively, engaging manner. Highly recommended to anyone who has ever gazed at the heavens and wondered, as Einstein did, if God had a choice in making the universe."Michio Kaku, author of Hyperspace and Visions
"Everyone who is curious about the horizons of theoretical physicspast, present, and futurewill enjoy this book."Edward Witten, Institute for Advanced Study
"[A] beautifully crafted account of string theorya theory that appears to be a most promising waystation on the road to an ultimate theory of everything. His book gives a clear, simple, yet masterful account that makes a complex theory very accessible to nonscientists but is also a delightful; read for the professional."David M. Lee, professor of physics, Cornell University
"[A] tour-de-force of science writing. Perhaps more than any other popular-level account, this book peels away layers of detail and reveals the stunning essence of cutting-edge physics. With a rare blend of scientific integrity and literary flair, the author takes us on a whirlwind journey to the forefront of the search for the ultimate theory of the universe."Shing-Tung Yau, Harvard University; Fields Medalist, winner of the National Medal of Science
"Greene goes beyond Kaku's book [Beyond Einstein], exploring the ideas and recent developments with a depth and clarity I wouldn't have thought possible. Like Simon Singh in "Fermat's Enigma," he has a rare ability to explain even the most evanescent ideas in a way that gives at least the illusion of understanding....Rather than recycling the tired old set pieces science writers too often fall back upon, he 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, 21 February 1999, George Johnson
"Do you lie awake a night wondering about superstrings, hidden dimensions and the quest for an ultimate theory of the universe? If so, you should browse Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe...[A] well-written accountwithout equationsfrom the forefront of cosmology and physics."American Scientist, March/April 1999
"Greene does an admirable job of translating a wholly mathematical endeavor into visual terms. Throughout his work, he writes with poetic eloquence and style."Washington Post Book World, Marcia Bartusiak, 7 March 1999
"Brian Greene...makes the terribly complex theory of strings accessible to all. He possesses a remarkable gift for using the everyday to illustrate what may be going on in dimensions beyond our feeble human perception."Publishers Weekly, 11 January 1999
"Compulsively readable....Greene threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for black holes."New York
"As rewarding as it gets....A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape."Los Angeles Times
From the world-renowned physicist and bestselling author of The
Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos, a captivating
exploration of deep time and humanity's search for purpose In both
time and space, the cosmos is astoundingly vast, and yet is
governed by simple, elegant, universal mathematical laws. On this
cosmic timeline, our human era is spectacular but fleeting.
Someday, we know, we will all die. And, we know, so too will the
universe itself. Until the End of Time is Brian Greene's
breathtaking new exploration of the cosmos and our quest to
understand it. Greene takes us on a journey across time, from our
most refined understanding of the universe's beginning, to the
closest science can take us to the very end. He explores how life
and mind emerged from the initial chaos, and how our minds, in
coming to understand their own impermanence, seek in different ways
to give meaning to experience: in story, myth, religion, creative
expression, science, the quest for truth, and our longing for the
timeless, or eternal. Through a series of nested stories that
explain distinct but interwoven layers of reality-from the quantum
mechanics to consciousness to black holes-Greene provides us with a
clearer sense of how we came to be, a finer picture of where we are
now, and a firmer understanding of where we are headed. Yet all
this understanding, which arose with the emergence of life, will
dissolve with its conclusion. Which leaves us with one realization:
during our brief moment in the sun, we are tasked with the charge
of finding our own meaning. Let us embark.
Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels
away layers of mystery 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. The Elegant Universe makes some of the most
sophisticated concepts ever contemplated accessible and thoroughly
entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to understanding how the
universe works."
From the best-selling author of "The Elegant Universe" and "The
Fabric of the Cosmos" comes his most expansive and accessible book
to date--a book that takes on the grandest question: Is ours the
only universe?
There was a time when "universe" meant all there is. Everything.
Yet, in recent years discoveries in physics and cosmology have led
a number of scientists to conclude that our universe may be one
among many. With crystal-clear prose and inspired use of analogy,
Brian Greene shows how a range of different "multiverse" proposals
emerges from theories developed to explain the most refined
observations of both subatomic particles and the dark depths of
space: a multiverse in which you have an infinite number of
doppelgangers, each reading this sentence in a distant universe; a
multiverse comprising a vast ocean of bubble universes, of which
ours is but one; a multiverse that endlessly cycles through time,
or one that might be hovering millimeters away yet remains
invisible; another in which every possibility allowed by quantum
physics is brought to life. Or, perhaps strangest of all, a
multiverse made purely of math.
Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, takes
us on a captivating exploration of these parallel worlds and
reveals how much of reality's true nature may be deeply hidden
within them. And, with his unrivaled ability to make the most
challenging of material accessible and entertaining, Greene tackles
the core question: How can fundamental science progress if great
swaths of reality lie beyond our reach?
Sparked by Greene's trademark wit and precision, "The Hidden
Reality" is at once a far-reaching survey of cutting-edge physics
and a remarkable journey to the very edge of reality--a journey
grounded firmly in science and limited only by our imagination.
"From the Hardcover edition."
From the bestselling author of The Elegant Universe, Brian Greene's
The Fabric of the Cosmos takes us on an irresistible and revelatory
journey through the biggest of the big questions. What is reality?
Could we exist without space and time? Can we travel to the past?
What are the limits of the universe? Brian Greene has made the
mysteries of space and time accessible to millions with his
acclaimed writings and award-winning TV series. Now he reveals a
world more beautiful and bizarre than we could have imagined, where
'dark matter' reigns, space warps and wiggles through eleven
dimensions, minute particles dance, fizz and teleport across vast
distances, everything is made of vibrating strings and, like an ant
on a lily-pad, we may be floating on a sliver of spacetime.
Revealing new layers of reality that lie just beneath the surface
of our everyday lives, this grand tour of the universe will make
you look at the world in a completely new way. 'A must-read' Sunday
Times 'Greene takes us to the limits of space and time' Guardian
'Sends the reader's imagination hurtling through the universe on an
astonishing ride' The New York Times Brian Greene is well known to
many fans as a populariser of theoretical physics. He is the author
of the bestselling books about string theory, The Elegant Universe,
which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, The
Fabric of the Cosmos, and The Hidden Reality. Educated at Harvard
and Oxford, he has taught at both Harvard and Cornell and has been
Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University since
1996.
Brian Greene's The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep
Laws of the Cosmos explores our most current scientific
understanding of the universe, the 'string theory' that might hold
the key to unifying nature's laws, and our continuing quest to know
more. There was a time when 'universe' meant all there is.
Everything. Yet, as physicist Brian Greene's extraordinary book
shows, ours may be just one universe among many, like endless
reflections in a mirror. He takes us on a captivating exploration
of parallel worlds - from a multiverse where an infinite number of
your doppelgangers are reading this sentence, to vast oceans of
bubble universes and even multiverses made of mathematics - showing
just how much of reality's true nature may be hidden within them.
'If extraterrestrials land tomorrow and demand to know what the
human mind is capable of accomplishing ... hand them a copy of this
book' The New York Times Book Review 'A writer of exceptional
clarity and charm ... every chapter opens level after level of
previously unimaginable, mind-expanding realities' Oliver Sacks
'The book serves well as an introduction to the multiverse and will
open up many people's eyes' John Gribbin Brian Greene is well known
to many fans as a populariser of theoretical physics. He is the
author of the bestselling books about string theory, The Elegant
Universe, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for
nonfiction, The Fabric of the Cosmos, and The Hidden Reality.
Educated at Harvard and Oxford, he has taught at both Harvard and
Cornell and has been Professor of Physics and Mathematics at
Columbia University since 1996.
From Brian Greene, one of the world's leading physicists and author
the Pulitzer Prize finalist "The Elegant Universe," comes a grand
tour of the universe that makes us look at reality in a completely
different way.
Space and time form the very fabric of the cosmos. Yet they remain
among the most mysterious of concepts. Is space an entity? Why does
time have a direction? Could the universe exist without space and
time? Can we travel to the past? Greene has set himself a daunting
task: to explain non-intuitive, mathematical concepts like String
Theory, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and Inflationary
Cosmology with analogies drawn from common experience. From
Newton's unchanging realm in which space and time are absolute, to
Einstein's fluid conception of spacetime, to quantum mechanics'
entangled arena where vastly distant objects can instantaneously
coordinate their behavior, Greene takes us all, regardless of our
scientific backgrounds, on an irresistible and revelatory journey
to the new layers of reality that modern physics has discovered
lying just beneath the surface of our everyday world.
In 1921, five years after the appearance of his comprehensive
paper on general relativity and twelve years before he left Europe
permanently to join the Institute for Advanced Study, Albert
Einstein visited Princeton University, where he delivered the
Stafford Little Lectures for that year. These four lectures
constituted an overview of his then-controversial theory of
relativity. Princeton University Press made the lectures available
under the title "The Meaning of Relativity," the first book by
Einstein to be produced by an American publisher. As subsequent
editions were brought out by the Press, Einstein included new
material amplifying the theory. A revised version of the appendix
"Relativistic Theory of the Non-Symmetric Field," added to the
posthumous edition of 1956, was Einstein's last scientific
paper.
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