false 317164 Annapolis, MD 08/2007 12/2009 4 40 37 true 5809666 read 2 true 668038 currently-reading 1 true 668037 to-read 10 false 698674 sci-fi 6 false 698684 thriller 5 false 698714 ancient-history 3 false 698703 hard-science 3 false 698683 psychology 3 false 698724 horror-thriller 3 false 698731 psychiatry 2 false 698687 history 2 false 698692 biography 2 false 698688 film 2 false 698701 archaeology 2 false 698665 genetics 2 false 698756 mystery 1 false 698672 physics 1 false 698694 parallel-history 1 false 698704 high-tech 1 false 698673 popularscience http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3163641 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41R7CHWGQZL._SL75_.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:08:57 -0700 So second, if you're still interested, let me recommend another book (kind of a 'history' book now!). Yes, string theory can look like a mess. But this is exactly what was happening in the 50's and 60's when physicists were searching for "quarks" - particles that would confirm the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics (or QCD). They were found, and the theory is now fact. The history of this quest was really well documented in a book called "The Hunting of the Quark," (1987) by Michael Riordan. The entire, almost-finished Standard Model looked hopelessly lost until the brilliant Richard Feynman developed this 'theory.' I have to say, that in a blinding moment of revelation when my brain first gripped the reality of QCD, I cried. It was an 'elegant' moment for me.
String/M theory has even more power to move the soul, (and explain everything) because it has actually come down to physically exploring the very real realm of creation itself. And that's bound to be complicated - but oh so elegant.
Hope this held your interest!]]> The Music of Razors (Paperback) by Cameron Rogers]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5610212 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181334412s/1139389.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:26:58 -0700 Polaris (Paperback) by Jack McDevitt]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5238113 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174006927s/352779.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:06:51 -0700 The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory (Paperback) by Brian Greene]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5243269 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41R7CHWGQZL._SL75_.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:06:34 -0700 more...]]> Life Itself: Exploring the Realm of the Living Cell (Paperback) by Boyce Rensberger]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5518193 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179011863s/865614.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:19:03 -0700 Nefertiti: Unlocking the Mystery Surrounding Egypt's Most Famous and Beautiful Queen (Paperback) by Joyce A. Tyldesley]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5246027 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178040529s/751979.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:15:57 -0700 Warren Beatty: A Private Man (Hardcover) by Suzanne Finstad]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5335093 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180136699s/1003095.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:15:18 -0700 more...]]> The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant (Paperback) by John Dominic Crossan]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5243197 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176279516s/610018.jpg 317164 Andy http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1188506000p2/317164.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/317164-andy Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:14:40 -0700