Rating: 
Summary: Physics Without Mathematics
Review: This book should be required reading for any physics or science majors for first year college students. It is also very beneficial to high school students who have a difficult time grasping physical concepts such as Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Zukav has masterfully explained some of the most difficult theories in physics in a way that can finally be understood. Anyone interested in the sciences would thoroughly enjoy the content of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great disappointment
Review: As a student still fresh on the path towards a career in physics, I am always eager to read so-called "pop-science" books which attempt to give a general understanding of interesting topics to an audience which is not at the level of a proper derivation. While there are many authors who are marvellously successful in this genre (of course, the obvious champions of science being Stephen Jay Gould and Carl Sagan), there have been quite a few notable failures in recent years. Zukav's exploration of the "New Physics" in this book is a prime example. While I am not an expert by any means in either physics or eastern philosophy, I am intrigued by both and disappointed by Zukav's discussions of these topics. He attempts to make ties which are not there between physics which he obviously does not comprehend and religious thought which he neither understands nor substantiates.While one is perfectly free to publish a collection of one's own shallow musings, the public should not be led to believe that they are some absolute truth, simply because they call upon the noble name of science as proof. I was quite insulted that Zukav discussed concepts aimed at the layperson which were laced with his own ideas when he clearly had only superficial comprehension of what he was writing about and, even more importantly, when he was discussing topics for which he could provide no formal proof or substantiating evidence (the backbone of science) since these proofs are above the head of his target audience. This is possibly the only book by which I have ever been trully disgusted. If you are looking for writing for the layperson from someone who is not actually a leading expert, Gleick seems to be fairly creditable. Also, John Gribbons is very interesting. I would strongly suggest avoiding those "science" books which claim to show some actual doctrine of thought. Science will leave the philosophy up to you.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Inspiring fusion of Physics and Philosophy
Review: Zukav explains the most complex principles of quantum physics in way that most anyone can understand. He uses metaphors and beautifully written prose instead of complicated, dull, discursive, scientific jargon. Instead of describing this subject from a strictly left brain approach his writing is from a whole brain perspective appealing to both the artist (or in my case musician) and the scientist. He takes physics to the brink of philosophy and beyond in an effort to describe the physics of the universe in spiritual terms. I tried to read _A Brief History of Time_ by Stephen Hawking a few years ago and didn't get past chapter four. After the education I received from Zukav in _Wu Li_, I was able to read and comprehend almost all of _A Brief History of Time_. Give it a try
Rating: 
Summary: Very readable but...
Review: The Dancing Wu Li Masters is very entertaining and accessible but it should be understood that Mr. Zukav is by no means an authority on the subject (Neither am I, mind you). First check out the similiar books by Polkinghorne or Pagels or one of the many good books by Paul Davies. These men are REAL physicists!
Rating:
Summary: Very readable but...
Review: The Dancing Wu Li Masters is very entertaining and accessible but it should be understood that Mr. Zukav is by no means an authority on the subject (Neither am I mind you). I would suggest the similiar books by Polkinghorne or Pagels. These men are REAL physicists!
Rating:
Summary: in Top Five of all time
Review: I loved this book. I really enjoy reading science that isn't dry. This book did a very good job off helping you to understand the theory behind physics. It was written for the layman, but some parts are more difficult than others. I plan on reading it again soon. It primed me well for physics classes. It also has a more etherial side to it. Aside from just science, it was also theology. another book i must recommend for people interested in this topic is -The Selfish Gene-. I don't remember the author's name, but it did for genetics what this one did for physics.
Rating:
Summary: A very clear explanation of physics for the layman
Review: Unfortunately, the first book by Gary Zukav that I read was 'Seat of the Soul.' That was a mistake. I was disappointed because he offered no background, or justification, or source for his ideas. he simply laid them out pedantically, as fait accompli. This book is much better. I can see why it achieved critical acclaim. It is a clear attempt to explain physics to the layman in terms that he will understand. It still has some faults, but generally he does an excellent job. Well, maybe not faults--just misplaced emphasis. For example, he goes on at great length explaining the connection between wavelength and frequency and amplitude, charting them and talking them to death, although they are very simple, easy to understand concepts. He does the same thing with three-dimensional coordinates. But, when he comes to difficult material to grasp, he often slides into incomprehensible language, for example: "In a quantum mechanical experiment, the observed system, traveling undisturbed between the region of preparation and the region of measurement, develops according to the Schrodinger wave equation. During this time, all of the allowed things that could happen to it unfold as a developing wave function. However, as soon as it interacts with a measuring device (the observing system), one of those possibilities actualizes and the rest cease to exist. The quantum leap is from a multifaceted potentiality to a single actuality." (Page 75). Pretty turgid prose. What he is talking about is the firing of a photon through a shield with two slits in it, at a wall where the hits were registered. Much of the book could have been written in far simpler terminology, while approximating the activity discussed in more intelligible terms for the layman. However, that said, Zukav does a good job of explaining some very difficult material. Probably the scientists whom he ran the manuscript by contributed to the confusion by insisting on language more precise than was needed in order to get the ideas across. He does manage to express the mysteries uncovered by high-energy physicists, and the tendency of quantum mechanics, more and more, to resemble statements made hundreds of years ago by the Eastern mystics. I recommend this book, and have no difficulty assigning it five stars. Joseph Pierre,
Author of The Road to Damascus: Our Journey Through Eternity
Rating:
Summary: Brutus Was Never Metaphysical!
Review: Being involved with Martial Arts for several years is what attracted me to this title in the beginning. I had recently read Dr. Zukav's book "The Seat of the Soul" for the second time in the space of two weeks, and I found myself connected to the story. I wanted more. There was a reference made to other books by Dr. Zukav in "The Seat of the Soul". So, finding myself in one of the major brick and mortar bookstores, I sought out the title "The Dancing Wu Li Masters" not being aware of "An Overview of the New Physics" part of the title. Heck,(can I say that in here), my thoughts about content couldn't have been further from the mark. But not wishing to summarily dismiss a potential syncronicity, I scanned through the preface and stumbled on various separate passages that promised the following: no exposure to arcane mathematics, a correlation of the history of 'physics' in a meaningful and digestible way from Newton to Einstein and then some, and finally a suggested relationship to 'The Physics of Eastern Metaphysical Philosophy'. The last being my words for summarizing the amazing parallels Dr. Zukav has woven into the story. I am not a scientist at all. Yet I feel more than sure that I have a decent grasp, in my opinion of course, of the fundamental differences between the classic definition of physics, the important players there and the New Physics and respective players in that space. I should probably pass some sort of test to demonstrate on what classic scale of understanding I rate .... but I can tell you that prior to Dr. Zukav's book, a fat zero is where I was. The grade matter's not however. What does matter is the discovery of all that I have missed for better than 20 years (I am pushing 49). Truly sad, almost appaling and yet marvelous at the same time as the words better late than never pop into mind. What sanguine impression could I leave with this review (tongue in cheek here)? Perhaps this: If you have ever felt certain that science has all the answers; If you have ever felt certain that religion isn't cut and dry or that it definately is; If you have ever felt certain that there must be something more, that this reality you experience everyday is all there is; If you have ever felt certain that you needed more substance from which you could build your answers to your searching questions, questions that you had not even realized you could indeed ask, needed to ask, about why 'things' are as they are, including 'you'; If you are certain that you are open, a seeker - then read this book. You are already interested, I hope I didn't spoil it for you! Carpe Diem, Brutus.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to the New Physics
Review: This is one of the most accessible and most fascinating introductions to the new physics that I have ever read. I took a class in Thermodynamics and Modern Physics last summer at a local university and I did not learn a tenth as much as I did from this book. Granted I learned more mathematical details from the class, but this book taught me why what I was learning and doing made sense, which at least for me is far more important. I feel if I went back and took that class over again it would be extremely easy now.
The other wonderful aspect of this book is its constant ties to Eastern Philosophy. This is something that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in recent years in the sciences. The whole world is becoming more and more interdisciplinary and this book is a fine example of what cross-fertilization can do to inspire new ideas and concepts. I would highly reccomend this book for any one interested in science even if they are not interested in physics per se. This book provides and excellent analysis of how scientific ideas and conceptions change and incorporate new ideas and new experience. This book is also very relevant from the aspects of philosophy, history, and sociology of science as well since it delves into all three of these aspects at times. Overall an extremely enjoyable and accessible read.
Rating:
Summary: The Transcendence of Ignorance
Review: Perhaps it's a consequence of living in a wealthy age, but we are once again awash in nonsensical confusions of science and metaphysics by people with an understanding of neither. This book, written by someone whose knowlege of both physics and metaphysics is limited to some superficial aspects gleaned from other sources, is typical of the genre. It requires very little thought, unlike serious physics or philosophy, and simply reinforces the notiion that all is one and none of it requires and study. Hence it's very attractive to those who are unwilling to deal with anything that isn't obvious or gleanable from television. Is all one? Yeah, sure. But that's no excuse to blow off Western science- or to think that a book like this says anything interesting about Eastern traditions. If you want physics, read physicists like John Gribben or Alan Guth. If you want Eastern metaphysics, read D.T. Suzuki. But stay away from these nonsensical attempts at fusion.
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