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Summary: How Physicists Think About Star Trek Movies and Series
Review: Did you know that many of the world's best physicists like to watch Star Trek, and then discuss what's right and wrong about the science displayed? Well, apparently they do. Drawing on contacts within the scientific community and on-line bulletin boards, Professor Krauss has written a sprightly review of what physicists think about when they see these shows. He translates these observations into simple concepts that the average reader should be able to follow, assuming an interest in Star Trek or science. As a non-scientist, I had always assumed that 70 percent of the "science" on a Star Trek show was just so much imagination. The reason I thought that was because I could see so many obvious errors (seeing phaser light in space, hearing sounds in space, effects occurring too soon on the space ship, holograms acting like they were made of matter, and permanent worm holes) based on what little I knew. Was I ever surprised to find out that these obvious errors were the bulk of all the errors in the shows! Apparently the writers have been working closely with scientifically knowledgeable people to keep what is covered reasonably possible . . . along with some poetic license. The physics of cosmology are fascinating, but I can quickly get lost in matching quantum mechanics to general relativity and so forth. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that I could follow the arguments much better when they used a familiar Star Trek episode as a reference. Like the child who learns math when it involves counting his or her own money, I can learn physics more easily when it relates to Star Trek. Very nice! The book takes a look at the common Star Trek features like warp drive, transporters, replicators, phasers, sensors, subspace communications, and tractor beams. You also get special looks at less common features like multiple universes and special forms of radiation. You can read this book from several perspectives as a result: (1) to appreciate what's happening in an episode; (2) to learn some science; (3) to think about where Star Trek could become real and where it is less likely to become so; and (4) what problems have to be solved in order for Star Trek technology to develop. I found the last perspective to be the most interesting. Professor Krauss's speculations about how rapidly technology might develop and what could be done with it were most fascinating. Where the book fell down a little was in being quite strong in stating that certain "laws" of physics would never be changed. If we go back in 100 year increments, we find that a lot of earlier "laws" are later somewhat amended if not totally changed. That may happen in the future as well, as we learn more. Professor Krauss is a little too confident in many places that there is nothing else to learn. Most modern technology would look like Star Trek science fiction to someone living in 1700, despite being based on sound scientific principles not understood then. After you finish enjoying this interesting book, think about what questions no one is trying to solve. Why not? What benefits would occur if they were solved? How could curiosity be stimulated about these questions? Ask and answer important questions in interesting ways to make faster progress!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: Discusses and explains a lot of intriguing concepts, and has been MUCH more educational than any science class I have taken as yet. There is a lot of explanation for people who are not familiar with the physics topics covered, like me. There are two problems though: 1) Warp drive is discussed without mention of the involvement of subspace. My impression is that warp drive could not exist without subspace. 2) Nothing about force fields, on which the holodeck relies to give its holographic objects more realism. So if you know a lot about physics already you will probably be a little bored, but if not, judging by my experience, you will find it fascinating. Just do not treat the author's explanations of Starfleet technology as necessarily the way it actually works, because this is definitely not authorized by the makers of Star Trek.
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Summary: What Star Trek's writers got right and what they got wrong!
Review: Fascinating review of how the science and technology of the fictional 24th Century of Star Trek compares to current scientific theory. From warp engines to wormholes, from teleportation to tractor beam's, Dr. Lawrence Krauss explains how these marvels might and might not(!!) work within the constraints of the universe as we understand them today. Dr. Krauss credits Star Trek's writers not only with getting much of their science right (at least in theory) but also with frequently making up terminology which is prescience in its accuracy. (Who would have thought that "anyons" really exist.) In addition to pointing out the most egregious of the gaffes like sound waves in space and the subtle problems of quantum theory, Dr. Krauss also enumerates the mind-boggling magnitudes of energy that warping space and beaming folks around would consume. All in all a quick, fun read, especially for the "hard" science fiction fan
Rating:
Summary: Chocolate Milk.
Review: For me, this book was like chocolate milk for children. If you have had a child, or had a clever mother, you may have been given chocolate milk in the past. Your mom probably didn't want you to have more sweets, but she also know that it was the best way for you to drink your milk. Same concept here.
Mr. Krauss is a scientist and a teacher who loves physics. He knows, however, that physics aren't loved by many people. So he has hit on a clever idea. He teaches us physics while discussing a popular and fun series, Star Trek. So, beware, you will learn, if you read this book. You still, however, should have fun. In this book we learn the scientific foundations for some of the more fanciful technologies found in the Star Trek series. Everything from warp engines to phasers to holograms and deflector fields are discussed. Some of the conclusions of the author, I noticed, have disapointed some of Star Trek's hardcore fans. I don't know why. I watch the series to enjoy myself. I still do. The fact that one person doesn't believe warp power, for example, will ever be practical doesn't detract from the Star Trek's stories. Indeed, the fact the warp power may be possible, but to expensive, was shocking. Some of the other discussions found in this book were also very surprising. The author, for example, talks about how the computing aspect of transporters may be possible by the 23rd century. He also thinks that more active holograms are possible, but ones that touch or interact with people physically, he believes are unlikely. Again, by discussing these aspects of science, we learn alot about our current technology. This is a fun, informative read, and a good tool for teachers who want to excite their studies about their studies. For a science book, therefore, I would give it a "5" for fun. Overall, I have given this book a "4", but it is an interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Highly readable -- all the Star Trek techno-goodies!
Review: Given what we puny late-twentieth-century humans actually do
now understand about physics, how might all this Star Trek
stuff work?
If something is theoretically possible, what are the
(always sizable!) engineering difficulties that must be
overcome before we can quickly travel between stars and beam
to the surface of planets?
Great book for anyone who enjoys physic and Star Trek! -- Jeff Bezos
Rating:
Summary: Getting the science in science fiction right!
Review: Good read. Covers all the basics of "trek science". Every SF reader has a thirst for what makes his favorite stories tick (science). Don't you? A broader examination of this subject is due. Krauss's other books aren't as good as this one. My pet peeve....SF movies that have noisy spacecraft...didn't everyone hear (pun intended)... "In space no one can hear you scream."
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Summary: i am krauss' daughter, and i loved it
Review: hellO! i am lawrence krauss' daughter and i havent read the book yet, but i figured i'd review it just to give it the 5 stars! :) yay!
Rating:
Summary: just a warning
Review: I bought this book for my friend because he's obsessed with Stephen Hawking. Just to tell people, this book is not actually by both Lawrence M. Krauss and Stephen Hawking, it's actually by Lawrence M. Krauss, with just a foreword by Stephen Hawking. I'm sure the book itself is good, but amazon neglects to mention that the book isn't actually written by both men. And the star rating has no relevance here, i haven't read it yet.
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Summary: Krauss Gets It Right!
Review: I do not pretend to be a physicist, but I did go to school. He is right about these things. Its also a very well written book. Although it has no bibliography and its edit seems a bit jumbled it is a very entertaining book to read. I gave my copy to a friend, and I did not get it back. Geron L. a reader
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly dry and tedious.
Review: I had high hopes for the book after hearing the author on the radio but I found the book to be really heavy on physics and lacking in references to Star Trek. Einstein's own writings are lighter and more enjoyable to read. I recommend the Technical Manual instead.
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