The Complete Idiot’s Guide to String Theory

5 Responses to “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to String Theory”

1. Carol Orme-johnson Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

   There is some interesting information in this book, but the reader has to wade through juvenile metaphors and condescending verbage to find it. If you have even heard of string theory before, skip this book.
   Rating: 2 / 5

2. A. Steingrube Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

   Let me first say that I read these topics to gain a better understanding of our universe, not for a class. And to gain a better understanding of any topic, a simple question should be answered – “Why?”

   This book tells you “how”. It tells you the theories, it tells you the discrepancies, but does nothing to explain “why”. It would be, for example, like telling a third grader that 3 times 10 is 30 and leaving it there, without further explanation. The kid has no knowledge on how to solve any other multiplication problems, or even why 30 is the right answer; he only knows that 30 is right…..or so he’s told.

   About 20 into reading, I stumbled across the words, and I paraphrase, “I have tried not to use equations in this book. I believe that I can explain the physics without them”. WHAT? You are going to try to explain a theory that is derived COMPLETELY by mathematics without equations? As of now, we cannot even test string theory. The ONLY way we think it exists is due to pure mathematics and logic. While your at it, please explain cellular respiration without talking about Biology, or plant life without talking about the sun. I’m sure it can be done, but not without tremendous injury to the topic. The same here.

   Also, I recommend that you read up on the author. He is the staff editor of a science magazine. He hasn’t a doctorate, isn’t a professor, and isn’t a researcher in the field….he is an editor. As a result, he creates poor analogies, cannot correctly explain standard analogies (such as Einstein’s train paradoxes), is all in all, an absolutely terrible author.

   [...]
   Rating: 2 / 5

3. Thomas Roberts Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

   The Five: The Law of Unintended Consequences

   For those of us not toiling in the field of string theory and physics, the complexity of “Complete Idiots Guide to String Theory” is just enough to comprehend the incomprehensible. There is a large group out there, myself included, that are what I call “Frustrated Physicist Wannabes”. We follow the advancements and depend on excellent writers like George Musser to explain what our minds would otherwise be incapable of understanding.
   
   I recently published a futuristic high tech thriller and the primary technology in my novel was an advanced fictional form of String Theory. I researched for months and half of that time was spent just trying understand the plethora of internet information that is out there. I down
   
   loaded all of the Elegant Universe and Dr. Michio Kaku videos from YouTube. There was so much information out there; some websites were very complex and some overly simplistic. I never fully developed my understanding of String Theory until I read this book.
   
   It was not until after I published my novel that I became aware of George Musser’s Complete Idiots Guide to String Theory. Talk about bad timing.
   
   Mr. Musser has a rare talent that most high tech fiction writers should be envious of. He has that rare ability to explain a highly complex subject with clarity and in a manner that most people are able to understand. A fiction writer can over simplify a complex topic and justify just about anything with the explanation that his writing can’t be too complex because he/she is writing for people that really do not have the desire to deal with the complexity, but just want the most basic explanation.

   Thank you Mr. Musser for a great book.

   Thomas Roberts
   
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. J. Carlos Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

   Witty, clear, interesting and a great addition to your collection, especially if you’re interested in knowing more about physics, without having to learn equations and understand complex principles.

   The “Brief history of time” of string theory.
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. cwbrains Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

   This audacious little book has earned a place on my nightstand as a joy to re-read. The clever examples and illustrations reflect a passion for conveying the broad shape of physics concepts as rightly as is possible without mathematical detail. These concepts are wrapped in an engaging narrative which frames their historical development. If you have room on your nightstand for some string theory (and don’t mind the title) you won’t be disappointed. I have enjoyed re-reading this book again and again.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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