Customer Reviews

Superstrings: A Theory of Everything? (Canto)

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Although this book goes into a little too much advanced theory and mathematics for its intended audience, I applaud the authors for a very well-rounded and candid approach to string theory for the layperson. I have recommended this book to many non-physicist friends of mine, and they have all enjoyed it tremendously. However, I do not recommend this book for aspiring physicists as it (like most books of its type) tends to focus on parts of string theory that have yet to be completely explored; this makes the book highly speculative in my opinion. It's great for a fun read, but I wouldn't put too much confidence in its speculations: they could easily be disproved in the next few years.

This little book is a must for those interested in superstring theory. Those who have read books like "the elegant universe" should complement with this one. It gives a historical prespective, but unfortunately is a bit dated, given that it was originally published in 1988. String theory moves real fast, and a lot of things viewed as problems in the book are now somewhat clarified.

The book starts with the best crash-course I have read of modern physics. In just 60 pages, you are introduced to supersymmetry, relativity theory, quantum mechanics, particle physics, superstrings, and other conceptual issues. The main body of the book however, involves interviews with various physicists concerning superstrung theory. Green, Gross, Witten, Feynmann, Salam, weinberg among others all give their points of view of this putative "theory of everything". They talk about the structure of the theory, its limitations in experimentation, its main obstacles, and their personal views of what lies in the future for superstrings.

Some main issues come up regularily, like the multidimensional aspect of the theory, the fact that there are various diferent superstring theories, and issues on topology. Unfortunately this was before some very interesting results that clarify some of these issues. For example, Calibi-Yau spaces were not in the spotlight, as they currently are. Also, all of this is pre "M-theory". That is, the 5 kinds of theory described (E8*E8 for example) are now linked through "M-theory", so there is no real problem of unification anymore (aty least one could see how it comes together, but this issues are still controversial).Also, current theories sometimes use 11 dimensions, whereas in the book 10 dimensions seemed to be the standard. Holographic principles could also enlighten some of the discussed problems in the book.

Another great aspect of the book is that it includes internal critics as well. Richard Feynmann for exaple, does not feel superstring is going to save physics, and does not share the same kind of enthusiasm as say, Edward Witten. The main points are the fact that superstring theory is so far from being directly testable (PLank lenght experiments would require 10 light year long particle accelerators!), and other philosophical issues. Of course, there is circunstancial evidence, but some see that superstring theory resembles pseudo-science in not being directly testable. This is certainly an issue.

Wether theory of everything or not, superstring theory is here to stay, so one might as well read this book to get a larger scale view of the field, before reading more modern or popular texts.

Following the introduction, each chapter is an interview with a string-theory advocate (and non-advocate: Feynman) recorded for the BBC in 1987. If Davies actually did the interviews, he plays the role of interested layman well.

But there is a limit to what you can do in words to convey mathematical ideas. A book on physics with no mathematics at all CAN work if the subject treatment is broad rather than deep, and good metaphors employed. By contrast, the focus of this book is narrow and shallow. There is no mathematics, and not too many metaphors to help us bridge the gap. Plus, on occasion, the interviewees sound pompous and patronizing. A major part of the problem seems to be that the interviews are mostly statements of personal position on the nature of strings, and personal role in their development, rather than an attempt to educate. Anyhow, I was left hungry and disappointed that I had not learned more.

I recommend the introduction (70-pages - presumably by Davies). It is a very well written and educative layman's survey of modern physics leading up to strings. The book may be worth buying just for that.

A marvelous summary of varying viewpoints on Superstring Theory and the work that led up to it. I think many readers of "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene will find this a natural follow-up, because, though there are no math formulae, it is pitched at a somewhat higher level.

Unlike another reviewer, I would highly recommend this to Physicists, aspiring or otherwise, and lay readers with a strong exposure to Physics. Notwithstanding an excellent, lengthy essay by Paul Davies on the history of modern physics up to superstrings, the lay reader who hasn't already taken several runs at quarks, gluons, weak bosons, and the Standard Model of particle physics, is not ready for this. This book is valuable because it displays the creative principles that guide the endeavours of 9 outstanding Physicists.

The presence of speculation is not a defect but a stirling virtue of this account. How otherwise can we peer in on gifted minds as they attempt to appraise or develop a pioneering theory at the frontiers of knowledge? They have little to go by except their previous experiences in field theory and core principles such as elegance and self-consistency, or, for some of them, a distrust for wild flights untethered to experiment.

Only two of the nine (Glashow and Feynman) sound a strong note of caution and skepticism toward the theory. Feynman as usual is wonderfully thought-provoking, Glashow unexpectedly witty and acerbic, delivering many a shrewd observation. Though a numerical minority, they cast enough doubt to save the reader from uncritical worship at the altar of the pro-string ideology.

BBC program consisting of interviews with well known physicists about 'superstrings'.
This book contains a very good introduction of the quantum theory and of supersymmetry/superstrings for the layman.
Most of the interviewed (John Schwarz, Edward Witten, Michael Green, David Gross, John Ellis, Abdus Salam, Steven Weinberg) agree with the theory of superstrings, mainly because it is the only theory that could solve certain mathematical problems (infinities), without violating the laws of quantum mechanics and gravity.
Two disagree (Sheldon Glashow and Richard Feynman), mainly because the existence of strings in nature can not be tested.
For the moment (see among others, 'The elegant universe' by Brian Greene) it seems that superstrings is the only way to get forward in the search for a 'theory' of everything.
Not to be missed. Congratulations to the BBC.

This book is the collection of interviews with famous individuals on this subject i.e String Theory. Narrative of the BBC show, all usual suspects are here and their responses on same or similar questions on the origins of the Spring Theory, status of the theoty and future of the theory. There is no mathematics, it is interview for general public. Although there are concepts or rather english words floating around and if you do not know what it is you do not understand the pohysics behind it but for layman this book gives a good insight into what is going on in new physics and who has what opinion. Suspects include geen, Feynman, Witten, Weinberg, Glashow, Salam and some more. Interesting reading.