The Hidden Reality
Ratings10
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings10
Average rating4.1
From the best-selling author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos comes his most expansive and accessible book to date—a book that takes on the grandest question: Is ours the only universe?
There was a time when “universe” meant all there is. Everything. Yet, in recent years discoveries in physics and cosmology have led a number of scientists to conclude that our universe may be one among many. With crystal-clear prose and inspired use of analogy, Brian Greene shows how a range of different “multiverse” proposals emerges from theories developed to explain the most refined observations of both subatomic particles and the dark depths of space: a multiverse in which you have an infinite number of doppelgängers, each reading this sentence in a distant universe; a multiverse comprising a vast ocean of bubble universes, of which ours is but one; a multiverse that endlessly cycles through time, or one that might be hovering millimeters away yet remains invisible; another in which every possibility allowed by quantum physics is brought to life. Or, perhaps strangest of all, a multiverse made purely of math.
Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, takes us on a captivating exploration of these parallel worlds and reveals how much of reality’s true nature may be deeply hidden within them. And, with his unrivaled ability to make the most challenging of material accessible and entertaining, Greene tackles the core question: How can fundamental science progress if great swaths of reality lie beyond our reach?
Sparked by Greene’s trademark wit and precision, The Hidden Reality is at once a far-reaching survey of cutting-edge physics and a remarkable journey to the very edge of reality—a journey grounded firmly in science and limited only by our imagination.
[(Source)][1]
[1]: https://www.randomhouseacademic.com/book?isbn=9780307265630
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See my Full video review here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewHucmtbO4o
Have you ever wondered if there were multiple universes or alternate dimensions
In this book Brian Greene explores these ideas in a thought provoking entertaining way, He has knack for exploring complex scientific ideas and concept in a way that the layman can understand and comprehend.
I loved how he anticipating questions and objections to some of the ideas put forth and overall was just an amazing read from start to finish and I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the hidden reality of quantum realms and parallels universes
I was so excited to pick up the latest Brian Greene book; after devouring “The Elegant Universe” and “Fabric of the Cosmos,” I was certain that I would do the same here. I was mistaken.
Without belaboring the point, two features of this book caused my interest to wane extremely quickly. First, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of “free-pass” statements from Mr. Greene. After the third time of reading “If you are reaching saturation, feel free to skip this entire chapter,” I began to wonder if he had somewhat lost his previously uncanny ability to explain complex topics in a way that negated the desire to skip ahead. Second, nearly every “revelation” in this book followed up with the caveat that while it might be true, we don't (and may never have) the ability to prove it.
The book quickly went from cutting-edge research to conversation points designed to sell a book. Overall, very disappointing.
Overview: An excellent primer on the various current theories of possible multiple universes and explanations of how they have arisen through scientific, mathematic, and psychological principles.In More DetailIf you enjoy reading books that try to explain science on a layman's level, then you might want to consider this book. Especially, if you have a fairly basic understanding of physics and/or have read other significant books in this genre such as Stephen Hawking's excellent book A Brief History of Time If you would like to get your feet wet in the understanding of the physics of the universe, but don't have any current knowledge, then I would recommend starting there first.This book covers a LOT of ground. I consider myself fairly well versed in physics in a broader sense having always found that science quite interesting. Even following the field to some degree, it's easy to get “behind.” The Hidden Reality really did an excellent job of capturing my interest and discussing the topic at hand: multiple universe (multiverse) theories.Most of us have some idea of “parallel universes” based on science fiction television/movies or books. But this book covers 7 wildly different multiverse theories: The Quilted Multiverse, Inflationary Multiverse, Brane Multiverse, Cyclic Multiverse, Landscape Multiverse, Quantum Multiverse, Holographic Multiverse, Simulated Multiverse, and the Ultimate Multiverse. I knew of the existence of several of these theories, but none to the level of detail that I learned in the book.Even if you have little understanding of physics, Greene does spend several chapters giving a basic rundown of the physics involved or required for the understanding of several of these. I found these chapters to be quite interesting and worthwhile, for the most part. These specific chapters explain in basic language (and without any math required) classical mechanics, relativity, string theory (several different string theories, actually), Inference and Quantum Probability.More Like This[b:A Brief History of Time 3869 A Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333578746s/3869.jpg 2192250] by Stephen Hawking[b:Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension 33426 Hyperspace A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension Michio Kaku http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347635932s/33426.jpg 629317] by Michio Kaku[b:Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos 33418 Parallel Worlds A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos Michio Kaku http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320549351s/33418.jpg 33496] by Michio Kaku[b:Black Bodies and Quantum Cats: Tales from the Annals of Physics 276057 Black Bodies and Quantum Cats Tales from the Annals of Physics Jennifer Ouellette http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309209330s/276057.jpg 267705] by Jennifer Ouellette[b:Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries 22543 Death by Black Hole And Other Cosmic Quandaries Neil deGrasse Tyson http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347696841s/22543.jpg 1204936] by Neil deGrasse Tyson[b:The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory 771 The Elegant Universe Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Brian Greene http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320504078s/771.jpg 907243] by Brian Greene (and just about anything else by Green, Kaku, or Hawking that isn't published in a journal)
