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Title: The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking ISBN: 0-553-80202-X Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 06 November, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.88 (143 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: There is better out there
Comment: I agree with Amanda's review below -- this book is not the book that "Brief History of Time" was, and it is very nearly incomprehensible. Often, physics books for laypeople succeed in conveying, at some level, a qualitative sense for the main conclusions of the mathematics, but lack the detail required to fully appreciate the point or to see how related points interconnect. This book fails even to achieve that -- the text is truncated to the point that it conveys little or nothing. The examples given are too abstract to convey any inuitive point. For instance, nobody who doesn't already understand it can hope to pick up even a vague idea of what imaginary time is from reading this book -- a concept that is key to understanding the description of the universe Hawking purports to undertake. The positive part of the book is that it covers -- at least mentions -- in a broad brush manner the very latest in thinking about the structure of the universe and GUT theory, but concepts are mentioned so briefly and cryptically that little understanding is likely to result.
I would commend Mr. Hawking to Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe," which, while not perfect, is a superb attempt to explain superstring theory (much of the same territory Mr. Hawking covers here) in lay terms. Mr. Greene's book feels like it was written by a good writer and a good teacher who didn't let his editor's leash out too far. Mr. Hawking's book, by comparison, reads like book flap copy.
Rating: 5
Summary: An amazing cerebral journey
Comment: An amazing cerebral journey from the edge of time to the far edge of universe, Stephen Hawking's UNIVERSE IN A NUTSHELL is the perfect book to get if you're not a schooled physicist, but are the type of person who finds yourself from time to time gazing with wonder at the night sky.
Stephen Hawking has an illustrated entry-level primer for those who would like to know more about the mysteries of the universe they are a part of. Starting with an overview of Einstein's world-shaking advances in physics, Hawking brings us to the modern cutting edge of theoretical physics with explanation of string theory, and its overarching parent, M theory.
Another thing I liked about this book is the occasional evidence in its pages of Hawking's incredibly corny sense of humor. It's somehow comforting to know that someone with an impressive grasp of the mysteries of the universe isn't beyond cracking a few lame jokes along the way.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 5
Summary: Genius
Comment: Stephen Hawking has a way of turning deep thoughts into intelligible sentences, and knowing how difficult it is for him to actually form sentences, due to his illness, this book is all the more impressive. Hawking explains the state of modern physics, from relativity to superstrings, spending time on major points with clear and concise explanations for how we figured it out and what it tells us about our universe.
The many graphics in the book serve as valuable aids to the reader for clear comprehension of difficult concepts. Hawking uses a modicum of humor to keep the proceedings fun. The text is easy to read, and Hawking spends time on fun concepts such as time travel which are sure to interest the layman. There is an emphasis on the known as opposed to the theoretical, which is perfect for a general summation of physics such as this offers. To learn about superstrings and the cutting edge of theoretical physics, read Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe. To catch up on the hundred years that predate that theory, this book will serve you well.
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Title: A Brief History of Time : The Updated and Expanded Tenth Anniversary Edition by STEPHEN HAWKING ISBN: 0553380168 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe by Stephen W. Hawking ISBN: 1893224546 Publisher: New Millenium Pr Pub. Date: June, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene ISBN: 0375708111 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 29 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: On the Shoulders of Giants by Stephen Hawking ISBN: 0762413484 Publisher: Running Press Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Relativity : The Special and the General Theory by Albert Einstein ISBN: 0517884410 Publisher: Three Rivers Press Pub. Date: 06 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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