Customer Reviews

Space-Time and Beyond: Toward an Explanation of the Unexplainable

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This seemingly light and trivial book covers some extremely heavy and profound concepts. In fact, it is amazing how well a few pictures, diagrams, and cartoons can clarify concepts better than chapters of dense text from more "scholarly" sources. Of course, if the pictures don't do it for you, there is the excellent commentary by Fred Allen Wolf, as well as, an extensive bibliography for further reading.

I've lost track of how many times I've read this little book since it first started to crack open my narrow Newtonian mind-set back in the '80's. It is an especially good book to read just before going to sleep- the subconscious loves to process this level of material. Here is the best introduction to not only the probably structure of the universe of space-time, but to what lies beyond it. You get very interesting speculations on the nature of paranormal phenomena, reincarnation, the nature of archetypes and the mythological level of perception, survival after death- all of which conventional "science" choses to reject or ignore.

I especially enjoyed the discussion of how quantum waves can affect all levels of existance simultaneously at different scales of organization from sub-atomic, to the natural world of normal perception, to the human mind, to the stellar and galactic level. It adds new significance to the ancient maxim, "As above, so below." This is especially true when you consider that human consciousness helps function as a co-creator of the perceived material world ( along with our higher Selves beyond space-time.) In fact, the purpose of existance seems to be to reunite ourselves with ourselves so that all of creation may become fully aware of itself in harmony.

Yeah, I know it sounds pretty "hippy-dippy", that is it does until you begin to seriously contemplate the true nature of things....

Space-Time and Beyond is without a doubt one of the most important scientific texts of our time. It is unassuming in its approach to physics and is very self conscious of its place in the larger historic procession of physics. The book offers explanations for right now. It never makes claims at "THE TRUTH". What it does do (and does quite well) is seek to explain current theories in advanced (ie quantum) physics to those without a scientific background. Similair to the "For Biginners" series of books, the authors have presented these theories in a series of cartoon like drawings that bring levity to the subject without undermining the importance of the concepts. However for the more technically minded there are research articles in the back of the book that explore these same topics in more detail. Furthermore it explores the ramifications and practical applications of these ideas. Truly, a book that will challenge the world view of those who have never been exposed to the ideas of modern physics.

This book of physics/metaphysics is clear enough for the layman, very suitable for a dabbler, and interesting enough for the expert. The cartoons cutely explain theories of the universe and consciousness, so that by the time you reach the commentary, you "get it". The deliberate splitting of the book into first cartoons and then commentary stimulates both hemispheres of the brain.

I have read Space-Time and Beyond many times. At first I re-read it to see if there was something I missed in the first reading. Two things you will notice when reading this book.

First: It was a collaboration between a physicist and a layman.
Second: The appendix is the meat of the book.

First, the reader will read a comic book like explanation of mysticism and psychic phenomena. These are the speculative portion of the book. The appendix then verifies these odd occurences through reference to Natural phenomena,at the sub-atomic level. The speculative part is fascinating and very imaginative, but for me now, in Wolf and Toben's vision I see a model of the universe mapped in the macrocosm as extrasensory reality and realized in the microcosm as quantum physics. A visual mnemonic device which the young physicist can utilize to determine the direction of his research based on his own intuition and not that of his mentor.

Thank you Pam, Frank, Colonel J, Dr A, Harjit, Derrick, Shlomo, Dr B, Dan, Jeff, Trappuzzano et. al.

I have read Space-Time and Beyond many times. At first I re-read it to see if there was something I missed in the first reading. Two things you will notice when reading this book.

First: It was a collaboration between a physicist and a layman.
Second: The appendix is the meat of the book.

First, the reader will read a comic book like explanation of mysticism and psychic phenomena. These are the speculative portion of the book. The appendix then verifies these odd occurences through reference to Natural phenomena,at the sub-atomic level. The speculative part is fascinating and very imaginative, but for me now, in Wolf and Toben's vision I see a model of the universe mapped in the macrocosm as extrasensory reality and realized in the microcosm as quantum physics. A visual mnemonic device which the young physicist can utilize to determine the direction of his research based on his own intuition and not that of his mentor.

Thank you Pam, Frank, Colonel J, Dr A, Harjit, Derrick, Shlomo, Dr B, Dan, Jeff, Trappuzzano et. al.

I've been one to dabble in quantum physics on and off in the theoretical field for a good part of my life. Toben and Wolf's book made it a lot of fun when I was first starting out. As I expand my knowledge of the relationships of this universe, I still come back to this work. If you happen to get your hands on a copy, guard it jealously! I'm in search of a copy for my adopted niece, and don't intend to lose mine!

Very reader-friendly book. It has several cartoon-style pictures that help us "visualize" some abstract quantum physics concepts authors explore, always in a light way. Well, maybe it won't reveal you the meaning of life, but it will make you think over your own existence. But hey, don't just take my word for it: read it and you'll clearly understand why it is a hard-to-find title. But remember: you'd better keep it in a safe place, far from your fat cat and visits - it's not the kind of book you find every century..

HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE SEEKING WISDOM & TRUTH. CARTOON ILLUSTRATIONS SIMPLIFY THE COMPLEX NATURE OF QUANTUM / MECHANIC PHYSICS. EXCELLENT GUIDEBOOK FOR UNDERSTANDING HOW WE CREATE OUR OWN REALITY ON A CONSCIOUS, SUBCONSCIOUS AND SUPER-CONSCIOUS LEVEL. EVEN THOUGH THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT PERSONAL & SPRITUTAL GROWTH, AS A HUMAN RELATIONS TEACHER AND PUBLIC SPEAKER, I USE PARTS OF THIS BOOK TO TEACH HOW & WHY YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE BY CHANGING YOUR ATTITUDES. TOO BAD THIS BOOK IS OUT OF PRINT. I TOO LENT IT TO A FRIEND, AND NEVER GOT IT BACK. A MUST READ, MUST HAVE.

This seemingly light and trivial book covers some extremely heavy and profound concepts. In fact, it is amazing how well a few pictures, diagrams, and cartoons can clarify concepts better than chapters of dense text from more "scholarly" sources. Of course, if the pictures don't do it for you, there is the excellent commentary by Fred Allen Wolf, as well as, an extensive bibliography for further reading.

I've lost track of how many times I've read this little book since it first started to crack open my narrow Newtonian mind-set back in the '80's. It is an especially good book to read just before going to sleep- the subconscious loves to process this level of material. Here is the best introduction to not only the probably structure of the universe of space-time, but to what lies beyond it. You get very interesting speculations on the nature of paranormal phenomena, reincarnation, the nature of archetypes and the mythological level of perception, survival after death- all of which conventional "science" choses to reject or ignore.

I especially enjoyed the discussion of how quantum waves can affect all levels of existence simultaneously at different scales of organization from sub-atomic, to the natural world of normal perception, to the human mind, to the stellar and galactic level. It adds new significance to the ancient maxim, "As above, so below." This is especially true when you consider that human consciousness helps function as a co-creator of the perceived material world ( along with our higher Selves beyond space-time.) In fact, the purpose of existence seems to be to reunite ourselves with ourselves so that all of creation may become fully aware of itself in harmony.

Yeah, I know it sounds pretty "hippy-dippy", that is it does until you begin to seriously contemplate the true nature of things....

This book is one of my favorites, I made the mistake of lending it out. If you have a copy, please let me know.