| Digital List Price: | $17.95 |
| Kindle Price: | $8.73 Save $9.22 (51%) |
| Sold by: | Amazon.com Services LLC |
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory 2nd ed. Edition, Kindle Edition
The international bestseller that inspired a major Nova special and sparked a new understanding of the universe.
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.
- ISBN-13978-0393338102
- Edition2nd ed.
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateJanuary 8, 2009
- LanguageEnglish
- File size1579 KB
Kindle E-Readers
- Kindle Paperwhite
- Kindle Paperwhite (5th Generation)
- Kindle Touch
- Kindle Voyage
- Kindle
- Kindle Oasis
- All new Kindle paperwhite
- All New Kindle E-reader
- Kindle Oasis (9th Generation)
- Kindle Paperwhite (10th Generation)
- Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation)
- All New Kindle E-reader (11th Generation)
- Kindle Scribe (1st Generation)
- Kindle (10th Generation)
- Kindle Oasis (10th Generation)
Fire Tablets
Free Kindle Reading Apps
Customers who bought this item also bought
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Superstring theory has been called "a part of 21st-century physics that fell by chance into the 20th century." In other words, it isn't all worked out yet. Despite the uncertainties--"string theorists work to find approximate solutions to approximate equations"--Greene gives a tour of string theory solid enough to satisfy the scientifically literate.
Though Ed Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study is in many ways the human hero of The Elegant Universe, it is not a human-side-of-physics story. Greene's focus throughout is the science, and he gives the nonspecialist at least an illusion of understanding--or the sense of knowing what it is that you don't know. And that is traditionally the first step on the road to knowledge. --Mary Ellen Curtin
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Scientific American
From Kirkus Reviews
Review
From the Inside Flap
In a rare blend of scientific insight and writing as elegant as the theories it explains, 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 11 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.
Green uses everything from an amusement park ride to ants on a garden hose to illustrate the beautiful yet bizarre realities that modern physics is unveiling. Dazzling in its brilliance, unprecedented in its ability to both illuminate and entertain, The Elegant Universe is a tour de force of science writing-a delightful, lucid voyage through modern physics that brings us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.
From the Back Cover
"[An] important book.... The Elegant Universe presents the ideas and aspirations-and some of the characters-of string theory with clarity and charm." -Scientific American
"As good as it gets.... [A] thrilling ride through a lovely landscape." -Los Angeles Times
"[Greene] writes with poetic eloquence and style.... [He] does an admirable job of translating a wholly mathematical endeavor into visual terms." -The Washington Post Book World
"[Greene's} metaphors oftten provide beauty and power.... The Elegant Universe is a rewarding read." -Discovery Magazine
"String theory is the hottest idea to emerge in physics since Stephen Hawking gazed into a black hole.... [Greene] explain[s] it in terms that anyone can understand." -San Francisco Chronicle
About the Author
From The Washington Post
Product details
- ASIN : B001P7GGRS
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company; 2nd ed. edition (January 8, 2009)
- Publication date : January 8, 2009
- Language : English
- File size : 1579 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 447 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #114,702 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #21 in Quantum Theory (Kindle Store)
- #24 in Cosmology (Kindle Store)
- #24 in Nuclear Physics (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Brian Greene received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes scholar. He is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and lives in New York City.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book motivates the topic well, making string theory readily accessible and interesting. They also appreciate the remarkably clear explanations in terms that a lay reader should be able to follow. Overall, readers describe the book as interesting.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book remarkably clear, comprehensible, and approachable. They also say the logical flow is genius and the book is interesting.
"The first half of the book is a well-written refresher for the theory of relativity and the basics of quantum mechanics and does not require a Ph.D...." Read more
"...ability to simplify complex physical concepts with sensible and intuitive examples that meshes seamlessly with our notions of common sense; that too..." Read more
"...and provides a more intuitive basis...." Read more
"...This book, overall, is interesting...." Read more
Customers find the book motivating this topic very well, intriguing, and a nice read. They appreciate the detailed notes and history of the topic. Readers also say the author does a great job explaining Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and General Theory. They say the illustrations and narrative are captivating and page-turning. They also say he does evocative insights into historical discoveries.
"...from and connected to extended dimensions is exceptionally lucid and helpful, making us easy to grasp how 3 extended space dimensions we experience..." Read more
"...theory of relativity and the basics of quantum mechanics and does not require a Ph.D. in physics to understand...." Read more
"...Not only are the rhetoric superb and visual examples highly intuitive, the author's tone is brimming with excitement and passion for the subject..." Read more
"...He read this one quickly and enjoyed it. (Reviews rate it as very interesting and he would agree.)" Read more
Customers find the book surprising, commendable, and very creative. They also say the effort of Brian Greene is fascinating and makes some of the out-there concepts understandable.
"...The ideas are certainly fascinating, especially when he postulates that eventually our universe might go as far as it can and start shrinking back..." Read more
"...Brian Green is whimsical and very creative.Thank you Amazon for the great books at fantastic prices you provide for the students...." Read more
"...Brian Greene's effort is fascinating and makes some of the "out-there" concepts understandable - plausible, even...." Read more
"...his involvement in physics to give us this view is both surprising and commendable...." Read more
Reviews with images
Indispensable for understanding string theory
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Greene's use of the garden hose universe to explain the curled up dimensions in string theory and how they are hidden from and connected to extended dimensions is exceptionally lucid and helpful, making us easy to grasp how 3 extended space dimensions we experience are related to 6 curled up space dimensions, together with time making up 10 dimensions. The 9 dimensions don't just crumbled up in any shape but in a unique 6 dimensional Calabi-Yau shape derived from many researchers calculations. Hence, the universe is made up of the Calabi-Yau shape manifold in curled up 9 dimensional space configuration together with time. The final 11th dimension space is explained by the need of the two dimensional membranes in M theory which is used to resolve the dilemma of 5 version of string theory. Greene further explained that the five versions are just different depiction of string theory with three of which Type 1, Herotic O, and Herotic E being large/small radius duality equivalence of each other and with the rest of the two, Type IIA and Type IIB, having the same reciprocal dualiy. This whole 11 dimensional geometric scheme development is carefully and lucidly written with unmatched clarity over these connected concepts of Kaluza-Klein theory, Calabi-Yau, shapes and M theory.
Though Greene does not use the actual equations from perturbation approach and Kaluza-Klein geometry of String theory to flesh out his explanations, it is still not easy to conceptually grasp the concepts of String Theory for anyone who does not have university level education in physics or mathematics. Greene actually warns his readers about the difficulty of the subject despite his best effort. It takes work to get through this work.
Another feature I like in any physics books is the anecdote stories of the journey of the physicists doing research. Greene shared his stories of his journey in String theory. The separate research efforts on the mirror symmetry Calabi-Yau shapes for space tearing flop between Greene's group, to include Aspinfall and Morrison, while at Princeton, and Witten is an interesting story. Greene also included various stories of String theory second revolution in 1995.
Overall, this book is a brilliantly clear introduction to string theory that is going to be a classic.
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2022
Greene's use of the garden hose universe to explain the curled up dimensions in string theory and how they are hidden from and connected to extended dimensions is exceptionally lucid and helpful, making us easy to grasp how 3 extended space dimensions we experience are related to 6 curled up space dimensions, together with time making up 10 dimensions. The 9 dimensions don't just crumbled up in any shape but in a unique 6 dimensional Calabi-Yau shape derived from many researchers calculations. Hence, the universe is made up of the Calabi-Yau shape manifold in curled up 9 dimensional space configuration together with time. The final 11th dimension space is explained by the need of the two dimensional membranes in M theory which is used to resolve the dilemma of 5 version of string theory. Greene further explained that the five versions are just different depiction of string theory with three of which Type 1, Herotic O, and Herotic E being large/small radius duality equivalence of each other and with the rest of the two, Type IIA and Type IIB, having the same reciprocal dualiy. This whole 11 dimensional geometric scheme development is carefully and lucidly written with unmatched clarity over these connected concepts of Kaluza-Klein theory, Calabi-Yau, shapes and M theory.
Though Greene does not use the actual equations from perturbation approach and Kaluza-Klein geometry of String theory to flesh out his explanations, it is still not easy to conceptually grasp the concepts of String Theory for anyone who does not have university level education in physics or mathematics. Greene actually warns his readers about the difficulty of the subject despite his best effort. It takes work to get through this work.
Another feature I like in any physics books is the anecdote stories of the journey of the physicists doing research. Greene shared his stories of his journey in String theory. The separate research efforts on the mirror symmetry Calabi-Yau shapes for space tearing flop between Greene's group, to include Aspinfall and Morrison, while at Princeton, and Witten is an interesting story. Greene also included various stories of String theory second revolution in 1995.
Overall, this book is a brilliantly clear introduction to string theory that is going to be a classic.
For example, though not specific to the book, I found it interesting that a common atheist’s question ‘who created God?’ was answered by special relativity in 1906. Space, time, and matter are all interchangeable, and before they were created there simply was no ‘time,’ just like there’s no more ‘north’ at the North Pole. And the fact that people still think of gravity as some invisible Newtonian force.
The ideas here remind me of high school calculus, where you can start with easily understandable concepts and rapidly progress to things that simply don’t make any common sense at all. But like Einstein once said, imagination is more important than knowledge.
Which is why I guess math is truly the language of science and the universe. And why it might make sense to read Einstein’s 80 pgs of special and general relativity next.
I’d be curious to see how these ideas are actually tested experimentally (with atom smashers, linear accelerators, etc), but I think that’s a topic for another book.
As other reviewers have stated, the book is worth reading just for the review of the relativity and quantum sections. Regarding the sections on string theory, it is unlikely that you will find a better description of this topic.
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
As other reviewers have stated, the book is worth reading just for the review of the relativity and quantum sections. Regarding the sections on string theory, it is unlikely that you will find a better description of this topic.
Top reviews from other countries
The book is divided into five sections, then sub-divided:
1. Edge of Knowledge
2. Dilemma of Space, Time and Quanta
3. Cosmic Symphony
4. String Theory and Fabric of Spacetime
5. Unification in the Twentieth Century
For many, the first sections will be more comfortable reading, the latter being more challenging in which, on occasions, I felt like a twenty-first century Columbus, challenged all the way with new material and ideas. Space and Time in section two become Spacetime in section four and he ponders whether the fabric of the universe can be torn and, if so, what will result.
“Einstein’s general relativity says no, the fabric of space cannot tear. The equations of general relativity are firmly rooted in Riemannian geometry … the underlying mathematical formalism requires that the substrate of space is ‘smooth’ …” (P. 263) He then considers the results of irregularities, tears, dents and bumps, a universe in which Einstein’s theory breaks down and quantum physics facilitates this new understanding.
For non-physicists, be prepared to read sections more than one but be prepared also for the elegance to emerge as the brain fabric is stretched into new knowledge.
Well worth the effort to keep up with Mr Greene.









