The Universe in a Nutshell

Rating:
Summary: There is better out there
Review: I agree with Amanda's review below -- this book is not the book that "Brief History of Time" was, and it is very nearly incomprehensible. Often, physics books for laypeople succeed in conveying, at some level, a qualitative sense for the main conclusions of the mathematics, but lack the detail required to fully appreciate the point or to see how related points interconnect. This book fails even to achieve that -- the text is truncated to the point that it conveys little or nothing. The examples given are too abstract to convey any inuitive point. For instance, nobody who doesn't already understand it can hope to pick up even a vague idea of what imaginary time is from reading this book -- a concept that is key to understanding the description of the universe Hawking purports to undertake. The positive part of the book is that it covers -- at least mentions -- in a broad brush manner the very latest in thinking about the structure of the universe and GUT theory, but concepts are mentioned so briefly and cryptically that little understanding is likely to result.

I would commend Mr. Hawking to Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe," which, while not perfect, is a superb attempt to explain superstring theory (much of the same territory Mr. Hawking covers here) in lay terms. Mr. Greene's book feels like it was written by a good writer and a good teacher who didn't let his editor's leash out too far. Mr. Hawking's book, by comparison, reads like book flap copy.

Rating:
Summary: Helping to Organize the Planets
Review: Because the earth is not the only planet, and much of what occurs on earth affects our survival within the planetary system of the universe we call home, it is helpful to know something about how the universe is made so that we can fulfill the obligation we have to preserve it, rather than destroy it. In a universal sense, out of sight is usually out of mind, and is often absolute with something as large as the universe, difficult for mankind to comprehend, and even more difficult to remember to include in his individual choice making. Remote objects or people make the probability of wrong decisions greater than if there is familiarity we can sense, and remember. Familiarity, therefore, breeds not contempt but mutual responsibility for things seen and unseen. Because we do not prefer to live in isolation, and it becomes increasingly difficult for us to do that (even if we preferred to), a greater vision of the universe contributes to the body of knowledge that allows humans to live peaceably with the planet and in harmony with the universe. To make the universe a logical place is much of what the responsibility of teaching generations is all about and helps to increase both the prosperity of all people, the fairness with which we deal with each other, and increases the happiness of all creatures dependent upon each other for survival while insuring a sustainable environment where life flourishes rather than awaiting their destruction. There is no conscientious objectivity in a universe of which each person is a part from birth to death. It is an impossibility logically. Doing well what we must do to survive well is as natural as breathing and the most honorable of altruistic values to embrace. Because we each choose to either help or hurt the universe, doing so consciously is, or should be, a joy of life rather than a burden upon which the survival of the universe depends.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing cerebral journey
Review: An amazing cerebral journey from the edge of time to the far edge of universe, Stephen Hawking's UNIVERSE IN A NUTSHELL is the perfect book to get if you're not a schooled physicist, but are the type of person who finds yourself from time to time gazing with wonder at the night sky.

Stephen Hawking has an illustrated entry-level primer for those who would like to know more about the mysteries of the universe they are a part of. Starting with an overview of Einstein's world-shaking advances in physics, Hawking brings us to the modern cutting edge of theoretical physics with explanation of string theory, and its overarching parent, M theory.

Another thing I liked about this book is the occasional evidence in its pages of Hawking's incredibly corny sense of humor. It's somehow comforting to know that someone with an impressive grasp of the mysteries of the universe isn't beyond cracking a few lame jokes along the way.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful mind opening book - especially for young people
Review: I remember receiving beautiful science books as a boy. They were wonderfully illustrated with drawings, pictures, and questions about space, the future, the past, and the unknown. They fascinated me and allowed me to begin thinking about important areas of human understanding without having much of it myself.

Dr. Stephen Hawking had a huge unexpected hit with his "Brief History of Time", which I, and millions of others, loved. He came out with an illustrated version, which many of us also purchased. This book covers different subjects in the same topic of cosmology.

I think it is a wonderful book that can capture the imagination of inquisitive young people. It is written engagingly without being condescending. It takes its reader seriously while finding ways to explain topics in a non-technical way that otherwise could be mind numbingly opaque. He even brings in time travel and even Star Trek as a means of discussing certain limitations of our understanding of the universe.

Just as the books I read as a young man became outdated by brilliant minds like Dr. Hawking's this one will as well. However, it can serve a great mind opening purpose for young people and interested adults. It is not very long, but can spark a lot of thinking and discussion between friends interested in physics and cosmology. If you are looking for a gift for a bright teenager who likes these topics, this would be a good choice.

Rating:
Summary: "pretty pictures" physics book
Review: To start with the positive, the overabundance of explanatory images is helpful, and reaches out to an audience that even popular physics books don't reach. The illustrations on how particle spin works were helpful for understanding what spin really "means", and were certainly worth more than a thousand words. On the downside, this book was not at the same level as "A Brief History of Time." The problem with most physics ("the interesting stuff") is that to really talk about it requires a lot of background, and so by choosing breadth over depth Hawking is limited to merely mentioning topics of interest and showing some pictures (beyond the obligatory chapter on Einstein, which every popular physics book has). The other problem I have with Hawking is that his research and opinions on theoretical topics are mentioned so often that I get the feeling that his books are being used as shills for his research, a feeling you'll understand if you know many string-theorists.

In the final analysis, I believe that "Nutshell" is visual enough that most readers will be able to enjoy it. If you know Hawking as that guy from "The Simpsons" where they set up an intellectual utopia, or if you're the parent of a physicist, this book is for you. If you have any background in physics and are interested in the topics in "Nutshell", you might try "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. It is more in depth about relativity, strings, and "p-branes". I wouldn't say either is a better book; they are just written for different audiences.

Rating:
Summary: Genius
Review: Stephen Hawking has a way of turning deep thoughts into intelligible sentences, and knowing how difficult it is for him to actually form sentences, due to his illness, this book is all the more impressive. Hawking explains the state of modern physics, from relativity to superstrings, spending time on major points with clear and concise explanations for how we figured it out and what it tells us about our universe.

The many graphics in the book serve as valuable aids to the reader for clear comprehension of difficult concepts. Hawking uses a modicum of humor to keep the proceedings fun. The text is easy to read, and Hawking spends time on fun concepts such as time travel which are sure to interest the layman. There is an emphasis on the known as opposed to the theoretical, which is perfect for a general summation of physics such as this offers. To learn about superstrings and the cutting edge of theoretical physics, read Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe. To catch up on the hundred years that predate that theory, this book will serve you well.

Rating:
Summary: The Big Physics Questions Made Comprehensible
Review: Stephen Hawking's book, THE UNIVERSE IN A NUTSHELL, succeeds in making some of the newest theories in physics understandable to everyday people. Until reading this book, I hadn't considered what conditions would be necessary in order for our night-time sky to look completely white with stars, nor had I seen such a gorgeous depiction of the micro and macro-cosmic universe in a nutshell (cover illustration). Hawking carefully examines time-travel, predicting the future, and the shape of time after starting the book with an overview of the theory of relativity. Hawking saves his biggest question for last, to leave readers wondering "Do we live on a brane, or are we just holograms?" (A brane is something like a membrane.)

Thanks to stunning color illustrations and fascinating questions and ideas gracing almost every page, THE UNIVERSE IN A NUTSHELL accesses both the rational and intuitive hemispheres of the reader's brain. It's the perfect book to unwind with after a long day -- allowing the exotic images and ideas to percolate in your mind like a delicious cup of your favorite hot beverage -- opening your mind to whole new worlds of possibility.

Those seeking mathematical equations to accompany their theoretical physics will likely be disappointed by this coffee-table masterpiece, as will readers who prefer to read ground-breaking books which describe entirely new theories in physics. Pretty much everyone else will be thrilled to take a peek at the "big" questions and ideas being contemplated by the world's most famous physicist.

Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: Inspite of all the negative reviews for this book I love it, it all depends what you want out of this book. If you want to get familiar with Mr. Hawking's bright ideas this book is for you, but if like some readers you expect to become a physicist after reading one book it is not for you. Reading the negative reviews I noticed those reviewers eighter don't have an open mind for others' ideas or expect this book to cover everything. I highly recommend it. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: God has blessed this brilliant man!
Review: This book envites us again to speculate a lot about a 4th or higher dimensions of space, a 2nd or higher dimensions of time, about black holes, (small and) Big Bang(s), eternity ... It's always fun to go with Hawking on a trip outside of our universe, for a moment to be able to watch our world with God's eyes. The illustrations of this book are phantastic, depicting all the difficult mathematical and physical background.

After "A brief history of time", which was written in such an easy way that even non-physicists can understand the pretty tough stuff, it was hard to imagin to write still easier. No wonder, that Hawking could only fail in this try. "The Universe in a Nutshell" is same difficult or same easy, just as one sees it. And, unfortunately, besides the last chapter about special aspects of string theory (brans) it does not contain any new scientific results or theories, that haven't already been mentioned in the first book.

However, everything is described so clear and colorful in a new way, it's nothing but a big pleasure to read, and things one has not understood completely at the first time, will be easier to grasp now at the second.

If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Another fun book is Brad Steiger's 'Werewolf.' I also really liked Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons.' Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban.

Rating:
Summary: Branes, but then Branes
Review: Have read many technical physics books and nearly all the preveiw books from Gamow's 123... to Greene's Elegant Universe. I found the first 4 chapters to be some of the best overview of modern physics ever written in so little space. Stephen must be commended on his work on this half of the book. He is not only able to present otherwise difficult subjects in a most appropriate manner for even the novice to enjoy and the physicist to admire. Within the first four chapters, his joining of the Quantum with Relativity and the treatment of time is an excellant account. He introduces "branes" appropriately and makes the work exciting. Bravo.

Hrrm. Now we come to Chapters 5, 6 and 7. These are simply too speculative with little physics. The bold statements in these chapters are not so much hard to accept on his simple explanation , but there are also provided with absolutely no foundation. And with such sweeping and typically backyard physics paradoxes being treated, this did more damage to my confusion on these matters.
He addressed the idea of killing your grandfather in the past and other such paradoxes. Argggh. Do we really have time to address these issues or have we run out of REAL physics problems. Basically, I think it would have ended better if Stephen had finished by trying to tie his vast solutions to problems in our everyday life. Enough of mystical physics, cannot we not treat it as a science again; and in the case of novices, as a means to clarify our local environment.

I know most science readers prefer the exotic, however, in providing introduction to novices is it not better to present physics as practical, meaningful and useful; rather than weird and off-the-wall.