Rating: 
Summary: Best book in this area for the intelligent layperson
Review: Without a doubt this is the best discussion I have ever read about the latest theories in physics. The author has made string theory understandable to any intelligent reader. The passion of the author is infectious. If you read one book on modern physics this is it!
Rating: 
Summary: Superbly written entrée into physics
Review: I picked up The Elegant Universe with the hope of demystifying string theory, a purported Unified Theory of the Universe. Having studied very little in physics, and finding myself confused when I did, I fell in love with Greene's masterful explanation of physics up until string theory. This includes a survey of both General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics, comprehensible to the uninitiated in physics.Greene goes on to discuss the development of string theory, from its infancy in the 1980s to the challenges it faces as research blazes ahead into the new millennium. Although I am skeptical of many parts of the theory, I above all respect its assertion that reality cannot be made up of dimensionless 'point-particles'--as Quantum Mechanics would have us believe. Highly recommended: even for those only interested in learning about physics, regardless of string theory.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Brian Greene defines the possibilites of string theory with beautiful clarity. This book truly humbles the human mind into understanding how big this universe is compared with our reality. Fine job.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Elegant
Review: Greene is amazing in making this very complex (and yes, elegant) theory accessible to the non- "mathematically minded reader". I've wanted to read about string theory for awhile but always was intimidated. But Greene presents clear and easy to understand examples to illustrate these formidable concepts. It's a great read! I look forward to whatever Mr. Green decides to write next.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: Although I have bought many books from Amazon---and read many customer reviews---this is the first time I have elected to comment on a purchase. This book is SUPERB. It explains contemporary theoretical physics with a level of clarity never before seen in print. The examples and analogies are ingenious. The writing is so crisp that you will check the about-the-author page to make sure the author majored in physics rather than English. And the text is so engaging that you won't be able to put the book down. Dr. Greene: if you get an itch to write another such book, please don't hesitate to scratch it.
Rating: 
Summary: What A Concept!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. If you are interested in the cosmos, relativity, the superstring theory, and other stuff like that, this book is for you. Containing fundamental principles, combined with everyday logic, Brian Greene explains how you cannot exceed light speed, and giving proofs to other theories. Also incorperating humor, "You look too your friend, but they appear insane. Their hair is spikey and their eyes crazed. You look in their hand for the baseball, but instead, you find a hand grenade. You turn around to run at 12 mph, just as your friend lobs the hand grenade towards you at 20 mph....." BUY THIS BOOK
Rating:
Summary: What a Concept!
Review: BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT! I am writing this review from school and I have class in 2 minutes. I will make another review when I get home. Goodbye!
Rating:
Summary: Totally Engrossing
Review: I'd been curious about string theory for some time, and am glad to have found this book - it makes extremely complex material accessible to anyone motivated to read it. The discussion of string theory was both entertaining and thought-provoking, and the explanation of relativity the most cogent I've ever seen. On the other hand, the overview of quantum mechanics seemed somewhat abbreviated; though adequate, it failed to capture the wonder of this most fascinating topic. However, the lucid explanation of everything else and the author's captivating writing style more than made up for this slight deficiency. Excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: woowoo!
Review: brian greene is a master, what gas. good for cool cats and if you stay at home too. this book won "good book" prize the secind i see the cover, befor i'm even reading the groovy-woovy physiks. 10 gun salute to a great great populariser second only to Michener! it make me think: no one talking about teeny violin strings here, so let elian stay! (i keep one star for him in case they make him leave glory land fill of stuffs).
Rating:
Summary: Greene's Elegant Universe
Review: This is the best popularization of string theory that I have read, by a scientist who contributed very much to it. It is a must for everybody's library. If there are some concepts that are still not clear, hire a consultant or tutor specializing in translating mostly non-mathematical physics into ordinary English. Greene joins the ranks of other scientists who popularize science with this book (see my reviews of Kaku's book, Gribbin's book, etc. in Amazon.com). However, I need to make a special note of caution with respect to Greene's book. We need to adopt a slightly wait-and-see attitude here, because string theorists have been among the least interested in popularizing (in fact, they sometimes popularize through other writers, which seems to be a strange thing to do if you are really a creative genius). String theory itself needs to be taken with a slightly wait-and-see attitude. Although the Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg, who has almost always been right, went over to string theory (see my review of Weinberg's book) in disgust at field theory, I think that string theory is at most an approximation to the real world, and as T. Y. Cao points out (1997 - see my review of Cao's book), its philosophical-logical structure is not well developed. It also needs experimental confirmation badly, and even if it gets it, it could still be in the position of Newton vs. Einstein ("tomorrow there is modification"). Greene does inspire (so did some strange politicians in history), and in science but not politics this is a definite 5-star quality.
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