---
title: "The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory"
description: "Summary: An 'introductory' look at superstring theory and the quest for a unified theory of physics. Every once in a while I feel like I need to try to read something completely outside my comfort..."
url: https://bookwi.se/the-elegant-universe/
date: 2013-06-07
modified: 2013-06-07
author: "Adam Shields"
categories: ["Book Reviews"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

[![The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene](https://bookwi.se/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/51fVpAuurlL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA278_PIkin4BottomRight-5222_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg)](http://www.amazon.com/The-Elegant-Universe-Superstrings-Dimensions/dp/B001OELZNC/)

**Summary: An ‘introductory’ look at superstring theory and the quest for a unified theory of physics.**

Every once in a while I feel like I need to try to read something completely outside my comfort zone.  Actual science is outside my comfort zone.

I enjoy social science and statistics.  I have enjoyed biographies of scientists like [Einstein and Bohrs](https://bookwi.se/quantum-einstein-bohr-and-the-great-debate-about-the-nature-of-reality-by-manjit-kumar/) and [Oppenheimer](https://bookwi.se/american-prometheus-the-triumph-and-tragedy-of-j-robert-oppenheimer/).  But the actual science always seems a bit above my head.

[Brian Greene](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Greene) has a number of books about physics.  He is a working physicist and is known for his popular level books about physics.

The Elegant Universe is an attempt at trying to explain [string theory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory).  I really did get something out of it.  But it is so far above my understanding, I feel like I understand about one paragraph out of 20.

I borrowed this from the library so I do not feel like I wasted my money.  And I think that this probably is a good introduction for people with more science background.  But I gave up about 60 percent of the way through.

I picked up [The Little Book of String Theory](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NX6KNC/) more than two years ago when it was on sale.  So the next time I get in my head to try again, I will try that one.  But this attempt did not give me much hope.

**The Elegant Universe Purchase Links: [Paperback](http://www.amazon.com/The-Elegant-Universe-Superstrings-Dimensions/dp/039333810X/), [Kindle Edition](http://www.amazon.com/The-Elegant-Universe-Superstrings-ebook/dp/B001P7GGRS/), [Audible.com Audiobook](http://www.amazon.com/The-Elegant-Universe-Superstrings-Dimensions/dp/B001OELZNC/)**

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