Product Description

What is superstring theory and why is it important? Can superstrings offer the fulfilment of Einstein's lifelong dream of a Theory of Everything? Co-authored by Michio Kaku, one of the leading pioneers of superstrings, this is a thrilling account of the discoveries that have led scientists to the brightest new prospect in theoretical physics today. With all the excitement of a detective story, this book contains the newest ground-breaking research in physics, and offers a fascinating look at the scientific research that may make the impossible possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105663 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Kirkus Reviews
"Kaku's exploration's of the principles of superstring theory are lucid, lively, and full ... as thought-provoking as Stephen Hawking."

Review
Kaku's exploration's of the principles of superstring theory are lucid, lively, and full ... as thought-provoking as Stephen Hawking. (Kirkus Reviews )

About the Author
Michio Kaku is Professor of Theoretical physics at the City College of the City University of New York. He graduated from Harvard and received his PhD from Berkeley. OUP publishes two of his books already - Hyperspace (1994) and Quantum Field Theory: An Introduction (1993) - and he will publish his new book, Visions, with OUP in early 1998. Hyperspace was well received and has established Kaku's name as one of the foremost popularizers of
physics. The New York Times Book Review described it as `Among the best of its genre to appear in recent years'; the Independent said 'beautifully written, making difficult ideas seem accessible'. Both the Washington Post and the New York Times selected the book as one of the best science books of the year.

His co-author, Jennifer Thompson, is a journalist who writes on science for publications including the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Wait a second!
I felt that the book may have overstated it's content, expecting a decent description of superstring theory. This book certainly is lacking in that regard. However after reading the cover, I noticed that it doesn't promise to be that!

On the other hand, the book delivers what its cover promises: 'an exciting exursion into the discoveries that led...' to the theory of superstrings. Well, it may not be too 'exciting', but the author's enthusiasm for the subject is infective, and I found the book enjoyable to read.

To those who are looking for a complete treatment of superstring theory, I cannot reccomend this book, but if you are interested in the path taken to the theory, this may be a worthwhile read.

brilliant
This book was extrememly well written, I am 15 years old and understood everything clearly. A must for anyone interested in physics and to what regions physics is heading into the future.

Promising, but unsatisfying
One of the better layman's books on the subject, but did not explain string theory, as it seemed to lead up to. (I know, "Beyond Einstein II"...) This seems the common approach in this tight genre. Some explanations were dead-on, while others missed the mark. All these books seem to lack the will to judge the merits of the Copenhagen Canon, which today seems as "untenable" as Einstein's "localism". I could not help challenging several key assumptions leading to the "inevitable" conclusions in mainstream theory, assumptions which were stated almost as facts in my own college quantum courses. It is true; those working on the theories are so caught up in the math, they are not equipped to think visually, as did Einstein. Now that we've gone beyond dear Albert, isn't it time we go back and pay him a visit?