The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, The Fall of a Science and What Comes Next

Description

What is string theory? Why does it matter to our understanding of the universe? And what if it is wrong? The Trouble with Physics is a groundbreaking account of the state of modern physics- of how we got from Einstein and Relativity through quantum mechanics to the strange and bizarre predictions of string theory, full of unseen dimensions and multiple universes. Lee Smolin not only provides a brilliant layman's overview of current research as we attempt to build a 'theory of everything', but also questions many of the assumptions that lie behind string theory. In doing so, he describes some of the daring, outlandish ideas that will propel research in years to come.

Lee Smolin is a theoretical physicist who is a leading pioneer of the field of quantum gravity and cosmology. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers and two popular books, LIFE OF THE COSMOS (1997) and THREE ROADS TO QUANTUM GRAVITY (2001).

""An uncommonly clear and confident account . . . Even those who differ with many of Smolin's contentions can applaud his bringing physicists' anguished night thoughts into the clear light of day."--Tim Ferris "If you want to think in new ways about the interconnected universe around you, read Lee Smolin's provocative, inspiring book."--Margaret Geller " If you want to think in new ways about the interconnected universe around you, read Lee Smolin' s provocative, inspiring book." -- Margaret Geller "" An uncommonly clear and confident account . . . Even those who differ with many of Smolin' s contentions can applaud his bringing physicists' anguished night thoughts into the clear light of day." -- Tim Ferris "The best book about contemporary science written for the layman that I have ever read ... Read this book. Twice." "A splendid, edifying report from the front lines of theorectical physics . . . A wonderful gift." The San Francisco Chronicle " "An uncommonly clear and confident account . . . Even those who differ with many of Smolin's contentions can applaud his bringing physicists' anguished night thoughts into the clear light of day."--Tim Ferris "If you want to think in new ways about the interconnected universe around you, read Lee Smolin's provocative, inspiring book."--Margaret Geller "The best book about contemporary science written for the layman that I have ever read ... Read this book. Twice." The Times of London