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Superstrings: A Theory of Everything? (Canto)

by P. C. W. Davies (Editor), Julian Brown (Editor)

3.8 6 ratings

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Geared to the layperson, a clear, concise, non-mathematical explanation of the "Theory of Everything" and its profound implications is followed by transcripts of interviews with most of the physicists involved in its development.

ISBN-10

052143775X
ISBN-13

978-0521437752
Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Publication date

July 31, 1992
Language

English
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches
Print length

248 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This book explains the superstring theory for laymen, in an introduction to the subject which originated in the BBC Radio programme, Desperately Seeking Superstrings.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (July 31, 1992)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 052143775X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521437752
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,068,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #749 in Scientific Reference
- #1,605 in Physics (Books)
- #1,929 in Cosmology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
3.8 6 ratings

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WILLIAM T MCKNIGHT JR

Most excellent.

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2014

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Davies is always on point in stating the premises of Relativity and Quantum Maechanics and how String Theory alluded to uniting the two but needed Superstring Theory to progress. He does an exceptional job of interviewing those prominent in the field as well those 'not so enthused' by the final product sought. Davies points out the strengths of the theory as narated by the researchers during his leading/guiding questions so as to clarify their intentions to us (the readers) as well as subjective interpretations of where the math, in this 'oh so new' research, leads them to render interpretations as to just what it is telling us about the substate of the universe in which we live. Most excellent.

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013

Verified Purchase

this book was for my son. he liked and could under stand it fiine. he was happy to get it.

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2003

Following the introduction, each chapter is an interview with a string-theory advocate (and non-advocate: Feynman) recorded for the BBC in 1987. If Davies actually did the interviews, he plays the role of interested layman well.
But there is a limit to what you can do in words to convey mathematical ideas. A book on physics with no mathematics at all CAN work if the subject treatment is broad rather than deep, and good metaphors employed. By contrast, the focus of this book is narrow and shallow. There is no mathematics, and not too many metaphors to help us bridge the gap. Plus, on occasion, the interviewees sound pompous and patronizing. A major part of the problem seems to be that the interviews are mostly statements of personal position on the nature of strings, and personal role in their development, rather than an attempt to educate. Anyhow, I was left hungry and disappointed that I had not learned more.
I recommend the introduction (70-pages - presumably by Davies). It is a very well written and educative layman's survey of modern physics leading up to strings. The book may be worth buying just for that.

15 people found this helpful

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Muzaffer Muctehitzade

If you missed the show, read this

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2001

This book is the collection of interviews with famous individuals on this subject i.e String Theory. Narrative of the BBC show, all usual suspects are here and their responses on same or similar questions on the origins of the Spring Theory, status of the theoty and future of the theory. There is no mathematics, it is interview for general public. Although there are concepts or rather english words floating around and if you do not know what it is you do not understand the pohysics behind it but for layman this book gives a good insight into what is going on in new physics and who has what opinion. Suspects include geen, Feynman, Witten, Weinberg, Glashow, Salam and some more. Interesting reading.

2 people found this helpful

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Luc REYNAERT

High standard radio program.

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2002

BBC program consisting of interviews with well known physicists about 'superstrings'.
This book contains a very good introduction of the quantum theory and of supersymmetry/superstrings for the layman.
Most of the interviewed (John Schwarz, Edward Witten, Michael Green, David Gross, John Ellis, Abdus Salam, Steven Weinberg) agree with the theory of superstrings, mainly because it is the only theory that could solve certain mathematical problems (infinities), without violating the laws of quantum mechanics and gravity.
Two disagree (Sheldon Glashow and Richard Feynman), mainly because the existence of strings in nature can not be tested.
For the moment (see among others, 'The elegant universe' by Brian Greene) it seems that superstrings is the only way to get forward in the search for a 'theory' of everything.
Not to be missed. Congratulations to the BBC.

3 people found this helpful

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Carlos Camara

Good introdution, a bit dated.

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2002

This little book is a must for those interested in superstring theory. Those who have read books like "the elegant universe" should complement with this one. It gives a historical prespective, but unfortunately is a bit dated, given that it was originally published in 1988. String theory moves real fast, and a lot of things viewed as problems in the book are now somewhat clarified.
The book starts with the best crash-course I have read of modern physics. In just 60 pages, you are introduced to supersymmetry, relativity theory, quantum mechanics, particle physics, superstrings, and other conceptual issues. The main body of the book however, involves interviews with various physicists concerning superstrung theory. Green, Gross, Witten, Feynmann, Salam, weinberg among others all give their points of view of this putative "theory of everything". They talk about the structure of the theory, its limitations in experimentation, its main obstacles, and their personal views of what lies in the future for superstrings.
Some main issues come up regularily, like the multidimensional aspect of the theory, the fact that there are various diferent superstring theories, and issues on topology. Unfortunately this was before some very interesting results that clarify some of these issues. For example, Calibi-Yau spaces were not in the spotlight, as they currently are. Also, all of this is pre "M-theory". That is, the 5 kinds of theory described (E8*E8 for example) are now linked through "M-theory", so there is no real problem of unification anymore (aty least one could see how it comes together, but this issues are still controversial).Also, current theories sometimes use 11 dimensions, whereas in the book 10 dimensions seemed to be the standard. Holographic principles could also enlighten some of the discussed problems in the book.
Another great aspect of the book is that it includes internal critics as well. Richard Feynmann for exaple, does not feel superstring is going to save physics, and does not share the same kind of enthusiasm as say, Edward Witten. The main points are the fact that superstring theory is so far from being directly testable (PLank lenght experiments would require 10 light year long particle accelerators!), and other philosophical issues. Of course, there is circunstancial evidence, but some see that superstring theory resembles pseudo-science in not being directly testable. This is certainly an issue.
Wether theory of everything or not, superstring theory is here to stay, so one might as well read this book to get a larger scale view of the field, before reading more modern or popular texts.

16 people found this helpful

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