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Summary: The next step in understanding high brow physics!
Review: I started reading books like this when I was quite young -- 13. I started with _Schrodinger's Cat_ and moved on to _A Brief History of Time_, and then started taking physics courses to get more information.However, all of this string theory should be new, even to undergrad college students. Most college physics professors will only teach or even briefly touch upon what is 100% confirmed. String theory is fascinating (if not confirmed) -- but you probably wont find it in a run-of-the-mill classroom. The author presents his information in a very convincing manner. Another reader said "facts-about-to-be-proved" or somesuch. This is true. I find no reason to disagree with his methods of explaining this theory and am rather glad that he comes across like he does. The book is not an _easy_ read -- I've had quite a few college physics courses and I found myself struggling towards the end -- but it is a worthwhile read for anyone who understands general relativity and/or quantum mechanics and would like to understand where the two of them meet. I would recommend the book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoughtful, detailed, but a bit heavy-handed
Review: Brian Greene believes in superstrings. He really, really, believes in them. He also seems to believe some of the more far-flung implications of the theory. These positions are intellectually defensible, but they are by no means certain. Yet despite some perfunctory disclaimers, Greene presents his conclusions as facts, or as almost-facts-that-will-be-nailed-down-soon. This, plus the density of the text, means that anyone interested in superstrings might want to start with a simpler, less partisan explanation of where the science has come from and where it is going, and then read this book to get more mathematical details.
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Summary: I thought I understood Einstein...
Review: Wow! I've read a dozen books and even written a paper on General Relativity, but I left this book with a wonderfully clear view of Relativity and ultimately string theory. I feel confident that I could walk someone from the constancy of the speed of light straight through the warping of space-time. There is no math to speak of in this book so even a lay-men should be able to understand most of the topics. The author has a wonderful talent making the most complicated of topics simple. If you've always wanted to understand Einstein and the work being done on the bleeding edge of physics, get this book!
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Summary: Better than 'A Brief History'
Review: I think the author did a good job in explaining the most complicated theoretical advances to the general public. It is really much more understandable than 'A Brief History ...' and I enjoyed it.
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Summary: Informs the reader on an oftentimes vague topic
Review: We've all heard of superstring or M-theory in a casual conversation or article, but most consider it a sometimes far-fetched and irrelevant aspect in an esoteric world of physics. Greene starts off by explaining the fundamentals of modern physics, doing an exemplary job of elaborating on the topics of quantum theory and Einstein's General Relativity. In this first part, Greene does a superb job. The book continues to show the inadequecies of modern day physics in a growing amount of circumstances, and introduces Superstring theory as a possibile Theory of Everything that Einstein searched for in vain in the last years of his life, and scientists ever since have continued searching. The concepts of superstring theory and M-theory (the "M" arguably stands for "mystery"), by nature, involve advanced mathematical formulae that keeps hardcore physics to the few who have earned PhD's in the subjects. The book loses some of its elegance in this aspect - some of these concepts, at this point in time, simply cannot be understood without the use of such intertwined math. Try as we might, we will never be able to understand what a 10-dimensional object looks like through direct observation (we experience only 3 spatial dimensions and one temporal) - for this reason alone the use of complex algebra and calculus are unavoidable. Thus it is also unavoidable that the layman will get lost in several of Greene's explanations of string theory. However, I do not believe this should repell the reader - the truly interested will want to learn and understand more of what The Elegant Universe is trying to profess. The bottom line(s) - A book well worth reading, elaborating on the mysterious topic of Superstring theory, but without a more serious background in physics and probably math, certain concepts will remain a blur. Anyone interested in where modern physics is taking us into this new century should get the latest book in the topic. Consider it a follow-up to Kaku's Hyperspace (1994) - a lot has advanced in the topic since '95.
Rating: 
Summary: Fasinating Read
Review: A fasinating and crystal clear explanation of Quantum, Relativistic, and Superstring theories. Greene doe not only understand his field - He knows how to explain things in terms that do not require a mathematics degree. A must read for anyone interested in the cutting edge of reality.
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Summary: Highly recommended!
Review: This book was sweet. I liked how the first portion of the book was devoted to explaining things such as Einstein's relativity in easy-to-follow explanations. The author's excellent writing carried over for the entire book. Would recommend for anyone interested in the subject.
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Summary: Excellent "Elegant Universe"
Review: I have read this book at least 5-10 times and read it again every 3 months. So far it represents the best attempt at explaining to the layman concepts about space & time. I eagerly await the next edition , hopefully with more illustrations, to bring the common man up to date with the latest scientific theories.
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Summary: The Elegant Universe in a Elegant Book
Review: I have just read 15 pages and I can not stop! The first five pages introduces the ideia of superstrings as the theory that will 'glue' the quantic theory and the relativistic theory. I knew scientist were looking for `unification` but I did not understand they were incompatible. I have heard abour superstrings and was looking for a book that would explain it to no-physic graduate people. My search ended: this is the book. PS: he explains the special relativistic theory at page 15. Next, he will explain general theory; but the book has more than 350 pages! The book values each dolar you pay.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Book--It's Worth The Read!
Review: I have read many science books for lay persons, but none have been as beautifully written, as thorough, and as easy to read as this one. Greene has penetrated the depths of physics and cosmology with a unique style befitting such usually inaccessible material. This book is for those who aren't physicists but would like to REALLY know what's going when people talk about "The Theory of Relativity", "Quantum Physics", "String Theory", and "The Theory of Everything." This book will disappoint NO ONE! It is absolutely brilliant. I strongly recommend it to every intelligent reader, especially those with little science background. Buy it! You'll read it more than once and you'll refer to it again and again as you read newspaper and magazine articles on the relevant subjects.
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