Rating: 
Summary: Simply Great Stuff
Review: "The Physics of Star Trek" takes a critical view of the science, specifically well physics as they exist in the Star Trek universe. Every iteration of Star Trek from the "classic" first series up to Deep Space Nine is addressed in this very readable book. This is not a snotty ivory-tower "Comic Book Guy" treatment: the author makes very clear his respect for the series, and the fact the shows do get some things right. Dr. Kraus takes the reader from warp drives, and phasers to the transporter and cloaking devices, with some time travel thrown in. His explanations of special and general relativity are, I think, some of the best in print. (They even drove me to dig out my copy of "The Meaning of Relativity" by Einstein-which I quickly put back on the shelf realizing there was a time I actually could follow the equations...) The bottom line is while some of the technology is theoretically possible i.e. warp drives, just ain't no way Scotty's ever going to/did? Beam anybody anywhere. The material is written in such an approachable way, that this would make a great supplement text for a high-school physics or calculus class. Highly recommended-even if you're not a Star Trek fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Is it possible ?
Review: A great little book in exploring all the possibilities of the Star Trek universe. What is possible, and how ? What is the basis behind all this technology ? Some particular explanations are a bit complicated for the layman, but this is a most interesting book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not unless you're a Trekie
Review: Ahh! I had to read this book for a class and it was awful. Unless you're a huge Star Trek fan, I don't recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: Author doesn't understand
Review: Although the author is great at stating on how impossilbe it is to do things like warp drive and transporters, according to relativity and quantum mechanics, the author knows nothing of the physics of star trek. His interpretation of how warp drive works for instance is not even close to how it really works. And all his assumptions on the technology is using modern day physics, which is portrayed by the author as the absolute truth to the universe. 500 years ago it was impossible to circumnavigate the earth, 50 it was the sound barrier, I suprise a scientist would say that anything(such as warp drive) is impossible no matter what improvement in physics. If you want a book on physics, get a brief history of time, if you want a book on star trek get the tech manual, just don't get this book for either.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, with a misleading title
Review: Although the title suggests otherwise, this is not really a book about Star Trek. Lawrence Krauss, a physicist, quotes Star Trek, but his further explanations largely neglect what can be seen in the series and, rather than that, strictly adhere to the laws of real physics. This alone is no criticism. We need popular books about physics (and this is a good one), but the title just doesn't suit it. A typical chapter begins with examples from the series, but subsequently it becomes like a general analysis of science (and) fiction where one could easily replace "Enterprise" with "Star Destroyer" or anything else. In the chapter on warp propulsion, for instance, Krauss discusses a general theory of FTL travel without even mentioning the term "subspace" which is actually the key Star Trek's warp drive. The same happens in his reflections on the transporter. He assumes that a human being should be reduced to bits, although Star Trek's transporter is supposed to transmit the very matter of an object or person. Agreed, from the viewpoint of actual physics Krauss is right, and I would wish that he gave certain Trek authors a few repetitional lessons in physics. Anyway, I don't understand why he calls a book with rather few Trek-specific content and much more real world physics The Physics of Star Trek and not "The Physics of Science Fiction". I usually don't like to speculate, but maybe because the book sells better with "Star Trek" in the title, or does he intend to disillusion or even convert die-hard Trek fans? Well, I rather go with a positive explanation that Star Trek just covers all facets of fictional science and technology, so it was the obvious choice. Speaking of disillusions, this book will have several for those fans who firmly believe that it just needs a bit of research until we get warp or only impulse drive or a transporter to work. Krauss makes very clear how much fuel it would take to accelerate a starship to "only" 0.5c and decelerate again (6561 times the ship's mass!), and what a resolution would be required to beam up a person's atoms from a planet surface (that of a lens as wide as the distance to the planet!). As I said, I think the book isn't supposed to spoil our fun of Star Trek, and I hope it won't have this effect on anyone. So if we keep in mind that Krauss is just talking about general concepts and not about how the technology works in Star Trek, this is a very good lecture for all who like Star Trek and all who like to know more about the limits of physics.
Rating:
Summary: Bridging science and fiction in science fiction.
Review: As a former aeronautical engineer who had the opportunity to study quantum physics, I very much enjoyed this book. The author was able to show that science fiction at the level of Star Trek carries on the dreams and hopes that we all have, and, more specifically, those from which physicists make their lives.
The ingenuity of Star Trek physics bases itself on what is already amazing in comtemporary quantum physics. Most of us would already be amazed by what quantum physicists are dealing with every day. The author also points out some amusing inconsistencies which are almost necessary for the sake of entertaining our 20th century peoples. Reading this book makes you want to learn quantum physics and feel that you already live in the future.
Rating:
Summary: very entertaining and educational
Review: As a Star Trek fan with a limited background in the sciences I found this book extremely helpful in describing the science in Star Trek. It was a nice easy read. I would highly recommend it to people who are interested in Star Trek and curious about its science. To those without a background in the sciences, especially physics, don't be frightened off! The book is easy to understand.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and enlightening
Review: As both a Star Trek (old series) fan and popular science reader, I was greatly intrigued to see Lawrence Krauss' The Physics of Star Trek at my local bookstore. Often disappointed by past efforts to connect to the bandwagon of popular culture, I was delighted at how learned, clear, yet sprightly Krauss' short book was. In the first part, Krauss attempts nothing less than an explanation of Newtonian physics, general and special relativity, and other physics concepts to explain warp drives, tractor beams, wormholes, and other Star Trek staples that -- under the laws of physics as we now understand them -- are probably impossible. Subsequent chapters address and deconstruct the transporter beam, warp drive, etc. The clarity and humor of Krauss' writing is just wonderful. Perhaps the most amusing chapter is the last, in which Krauss lists his "top ten" Star Trek scientific bloopers -- events, plot devices, and the like that just could not occur. Because he is a trekker, Krauss does not treat these foibles with contempt or ridicule; as a scientist and writer, he ably outlines those errors.
Rating:
Summary: Not too shabby...
Review: As I looked through my local bookstore for an interesting read, I could not help but notice this interesting title in the Physics science section. Being a sporatic viewer of Star Trek myself, I picked it up for a closer look. As I read the first section of the book, I realized that it was more than blatant critique on scientific errors. Rather, it was an interesting view of future possibilities and also impossibilities in the field of science. In this book, Krauss explores the existence of things such as wormholes, black holes, and existence of other intelligent life in space. Krauss is also relentless in his discussion of Einstein and other renowned Physicists. He often writes about highly esoteric subject matter, but on the whole this book is well rounded and a relatively interesting read. However, keep in mind that one must have an interest in science, specifically fields such as quantum mechanics and relativity.
Rating:
Summary: Picard, Data, Worf. etc. discuss "The Physics of Star Trek"
Review: Capt. Picard: Data, go to Warp 8 now...Engage! Data: You realize that is impossible, sir. Picard: What do you mean, Data, two Romulan warbirds just de-cloaked off our starboard side and are about to fire phasers. We've got to get out of here. Engage, I say! Data: But sir, according to Lawrence Krauss, a distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy from the 20th century, such an action would require energy far greater than is possible in order to manipulate spacetime around the Enterprise sufficiently to travel at "warp" speed. Also, for the same reasons, Dr. Krauss essentially ruled out the possibility of a "cloaking device" and many other things we like to believe are real. Picard: Data, we don't have TIME for this! Get us out of here now!! Data: Captain, I am sorry, but it is simply not possible. Also, I hate to inform you that, according to Dr. Krauss, our deflector shields will not work either. But, fortunately, neither will the Romulans' phaser beams. Picard: What are you saying, Data?!? Data: What I am saying, sir, is that although we THINK we are aboard a starship called the Enterprise, and although we THINK we just saw 2 Romulan warbirds uncloak, it is all just an illusion. All of these things would violate several basic laws of physics, including Einstein's general and special theories of relativity, which of course are still valid today. I am sorry to conclude, sir, that we are just actors on a set at Paramount Studios, that there is no "Federation," no "Captain Picard," and not even ME! I would be sad about this if I could be, but my "emotion chip" (which Dr. Krauss does not discuss in his book, by the way) is not turned on right now. Picard: Damn! So my brother was right all along and I should have stayed in France and worked at the family winery! Data: I am afraid so, sir. Your brother appears to have been correct. Counselor Troi: I am sensing great frustration and sadness here. Oh, it's terrible! Data: What you are experiencing, Counselor, is merely what I believe used to be called a "major bummer." Unfortunately, most of the world that we thought we knew cannot exist, according to "The Physics of Star Trek", so we will all need to look for new jobs, and our fans will need to look for a new means of entertaining themselves. It would have been better, of course, if "The Physics of Star Trek" had been required reading at Star Fleet Academy. Perhaps then we could have avoided all this confusion. Counselor Troi: Maybe we could all get together with our fans for reunions and dress up in costumes and just pretend this was all possible... Data: An excellent idea, Counselor, although I am dubious as to your idea's practicality. Maybe if you expanded the idea and called them "conventions" it might... Worf: Arrggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picard: Are you alright, Mr. Worf? Worf: I am a Klingon warrior and cannot BELIEVE that a mere PHYSICIST from the 20th century could defeat me! Data: It is true Worf. The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even for a Klingon warrior. If you would like, I could lend you "The Physics of Star Trek", and then you might understand. Dr. Crusher: But surely there must be some other alternatives to what Dr. Krauss suggests? Data: As the former Chief Science Officer of the Enterprise used to say, "there are ALWAYS alternatives." Picard: I'll be in my ready room reading "The Physics of Star Trek" and thinking of alternatives. Commander Data, you have the bridge.
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