The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next
by Lee Smolin
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Sep 2006
416 pages
Genre: Science, Health and the Environment
Publication Information
In this groundbreaking book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that fundamental physics—the search for the laws of nature—is losing its way. One of the major problems, according to Smolin, is the growing gulf between the speculations of theorists and reality as revealed by experiment. Ambitious ideas about extra dimensions, exotic particles, multiple universes, and strings have captured our imaginations. But these ideas have not been tested experimentally, and some—string theory, for example—seem to offer no possibility for experimental tests. And because these ideas have tied up funding and talent to the detriment of other pursuits, they threaten to impede the progress of science. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a fascinating look at what will replace it.
"Courting controversy, Smolin is a reflective, self-confident challenger to pro-string physicist - authors Brian Greene, Leonard Susskind, and Michio Kaku." - Booklist.
"This isn't easy reading, but it will appeal to dedicated science buffs interested in where physics may be headed in the next decade." - Publishers Weekly.
"...clearly written...with a passion all too rare in popular science books..." - The Toronto Star.
"It would be hard to imagine a better guide to this difficult subject." - Scientific American.
"[A] substantial and serious exploration of [string] theory's vulnerabilities." - New York Times.
"This is a well-written, critical profile of the theoretical physics community, free of equations, from the perspective of a member." - Library Journal.
This information about The Trouble With Physics was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
The Stolen Child
by Ann Hood
An unlikely duo ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate.
Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung
Eve J. Chung's debut novel recounts a family's flight to Taiwan during China's Communist revolution.
Only the Brave by Danielle Steel
A powerful, sweeping historical novel about a courageous woman in World War II Germany.
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
