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The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Reprint Edition
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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.Review
― George Johnson, The New York Times Book Review
"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
About the Author
- ISBN-10039333810X
- ISBN-13978-0393338102
- EditionReprint
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateOctober 11, 2010
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- Print length447 pages
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Product details
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition (October 11, 2010)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 447 pages
- ISBN-10 : 039333810X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0393338102
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #20,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Quantum Theory (Books)
- #18 in Cosmology (Books)
- #22 in Astronomy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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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.
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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.
All of these works are excellent and have left me thinking 'WOW'. For days afterwards I keep thinking back and wondering ...
How can a quantum wave equation 'collapse' instantly through the universe when the particle it represents is 'detected' in one location?
What is the meaning of extra dimensions?
How do these new discoveries effect Theology?
Is the Entropy explanation the only reason that only Time in SpaceTime is uni-directional (fwd only)?
Etc Etc
Don't expect these works to sum up 'in a nutshell' - they fill one with awe and deep questions.
For my little brain, this has been a wonderful journey - opening up new worlds and, in particular, a new understanding of the Universe. All three of these books have been superb travel guides. My math is totally rusty but that was no detriment to reading either of these three as they do not depend on mathematical schema for there explanations.
However, I'll rank them:
5 stars to Fabric of Cosmos
4 stars to Elegant Universe
4 stars to Universe in a Nutshell.
Fabric is copyright 2006 and includes up to date (fall 2006) info in these rapidly advancing fields. Fabric is more about SpaceTime than string theory predictions (or lack of predictions) regarding the fundamental matter and energy constituents of the Universe. IMHO Brian Greene does a much better job of proceeding sequentially through a topic than Stephen Hawkins.
Elegant Universe (as was his Discovery Channel series) very dependent on String Theory explanations, which is great if string theory proves to be correct, but doesn't quite cover the objections to string theory (which are many) or provide good coverage of alternate theories (see Hawkins books for that). Nevertheless it covers a modern understanding of the Universe and its constituents very well.
The same could be said for Stephen Hawkins in reverse - he doesn't support string theory but does support quantum electrodynamics. Often in reading 'Nutshell' I'd be brought up short by what, to me, was a jump in conclusions. He doesn't lay down nearly the smooth explanatory path that Brian Greene does. So, from an understanding of Physics standpoint, I rate Elegant over Nutshell; but, Stephen Hawkins is a Nobel Laurate and sits on the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge (previously held by Newton and Dirac). His 'A Brief History of Time" and "Universe in a Nutshell" are both fine reads, and have the added advantage of providing a glimpse into a great mind and personal stories describing some conflicts between physicists.
If your focus new discoveries about SpaceTime and the Universe - I'd go with Fabric.
If you interest is more towards the Universe and its fundamental constituents (especially as described by string theories) then I'd go with Elegant Universe.
If you want both physics of the Universe and some insights into a great character - go with Nutshell.
I'm glad I've read all three! I'd especially recommend reading one each from Greene and Hawkins - their different view points highlight the very vigorous on-going debate on major issues.
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.











