String Theory For Dummies

Andrew Zimmerman Jones

Oct 2009 · John Wiley & Sons

About this ebook

A clear, plain-English guide to this complex scientific theory

String theory is the hottest topic in physics right now, with books on the subject (pro and con) flying out of the stores. String Theory For Dummies offers an accessible introduction to this highly mathematical "theory of everything," which posits ten or more dimensions in an attempt to explain the basic nature of matter and energy. Written for both students and people interested in science, this guide explains concepts, discusses the string theory's hypotheses and predictions, and presents the math in an approachable manner. It features in-depth examples and an easy-to-understand style so that readers can understand this controversial, cutting-edge theory.

Ratings and reviews

This is a lively review of the state of the art for general readers. It's good to know that the battle for unification of relativity and quantum theory is still raging. The coverage of the politics of science helps the understanding of the relationship between theory and experimentation in dealing with the very small and very large ends of our existence. That relationship, I believe, will be the focus on David Deutsch's new book, "The Beginning of Infinity" due out in July 2011. I wanted to catch up on developments in quantum physics since reading his "The Fabric of Reality" (1997). Dummies fit my need admirably. Particularly helpful were the web links to on-line resources, especially the Perimeter Institute. I read the book on-line and the side bar format so fundamental to the Dummies series failed to come through. Also the web links were not hot. The ebook version is cheap and quick, but don't you think the dummies at Google respect the framework?

This book describes much of what various versions of string theory describe, but little about the theories themselves. Given the enormous number of theories and the level of math in them, maybe that's the best possible.

Entertaining

About the author

Andrew Zimmerman Jones received his physics degree and graduated with honors from Wabash College, where he earned the Harold Q. Fuller Prize in Physics. He is the Physics Guide for the New York Times' About.com Web site. Daniel Robbins received his PhD in physics from the University of Chicago and currently studies string theory and its implications at Texas A&M University.