Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions | 
|  | | | Title: | Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions | | Author: | Lisa Randall | | Publisher: | Harper Perennial | | Type: | Book / Paperback | | Publication Date: | 01 September, 2006 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0060531096 / 9780060531096 | | List Price: | $15.95 | | You Save: | $4.30 | | Amazon Price: | $11.65 | |
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Product Description
The universe has many secrets. It may hide additional dimensions of space other than the familier three we recognize. There might even be another universe adjacent to ours, invisible and unattainable . . . for now. Warped Passages is a brilliantly readable and altogether exhilarating journey that tracks the arc of discovery from early twentieth-century physics to the razor's edge of modern scientific theory. One of the world's leading theoretical physicists, Lisa Randall provides astonishing scientific possibilities that, until recently, were restricted to the realm of science fiction. Unraveling the twisted threads of the most current debates on relativity, quantum mechanics, and gravity, she explores some of the most fundamental questions posed by Nature—taking us into the warped, hidden dimensions underpinning the universe we live in, demystifying the science of the myriad worlds that may exist just beyond our own.
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Customer Reviews:
• Groundbreaking Physics In Beautiful Prose 16 August, 2008
Professor Randall of Harvard has written a truly monumental book for physics and for those interested in science. She has brilliantly bridged the knowledge gap between the scientist and the layperson. With this book, she dispels forever the ridiculous notion that women are somehow less equipped to do science at the highest level. As a theoretical physicist, her work is perhaps the most quoted in recent history - proof that her discoveries, which opens up fresh new thinking, are among the most significant in the history of science.
Warped Passages is a book that showcases Professor Randall's skills as a "model builder" in theoretical physics. Using the logic of model building, she deftly wove a tale of how past discoveries finally led to her out-of-the-box insight to use the fifth dimension to explain some of the more vexing modern day problems in physics. She demonstrated for us that with warped space, we may not even see a fifth dimension of infinite size.
The book is full of creative analogies to help us understand what the human mind is not equipped to grasp - extra dimensions. It is written simply, elegantly and clearly. Even if you find the more esoteric concepts difficult to understand at a deeper level as I do, she has included at the end of each chapter bullets of key concepts that anyone can understand. After reading the book, you will find yourself able to discuss at dinner parties the more important discoveries in physics such as general relativity, quantum mechanics and extra dimensions with the confidence of a trained physicist. You will also want to learn more about the latest advances in physics. Whether you have a Ph.D. in physics or are someone with a passing interest in science, you will find this book useful, interesting, informative and exhilarating. You will be infected by her obvious enthusiasm in physics and mathematics. Professor Randall has done a great service for the advancement of science and the recruit of students into physics. As a bonus, you will see glimpses of her humanity, humor and wit.
This is an exciting time in the history of physics. With this book, you will see why Professor Randall is the chief architect of what makes it exciting.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A9SQDOOI3UQ96
• Four Reasons To Purchase 09 September, 2008
Lisa Randall is a theoretician working at the front line of modern physics, and this book essentially covers, without maths (an extraordinary achievement) Randall's path.
The book starts with a coverage of relativity and quantum mechanics, each in small chapters, explains the role of symmetry and why it is important, and proceeds to the standard model of particle physics. That path is probably common to all physicists, and Randall shows in its simplest form, the standard model is not without problems, e.g. the difference between prediction and observation can exceed by many orders of magnitude the number of elementary particles in the known universe. Fixes are required, and the path then proceeds through supersymmetry, the Higgs particle, and on to multidimensional physics. The absence of maths makes the book eerily readable, but it may also lead to a little uncertainty in interpretation. However, for the non-physicist, this book may offer the only credible way of finding out what this journey involves. That is the first reason to buy the book.
The second reason is that it shows how Randall goes about things; this is one of the very few books in which a leading scientist shows some of their own thought patterns, free of pompous self-justification. It is worth it almost for that reason alone.
The third reason is that it shows how "brittle" the standard model is. The way Randall puts it, there is very little "wriggle-room" there. In my opinion, there is a very good chance that much of this will eventually be regarded as "quaint", and may be an interesting historical account of a theory that went wrong, and readers will comment about what physicists should have doubted.
However, the fourth reason is perhaps the best. In a few hours after writing this, the Large Hadron Collider will be switched on. Assuming it works, various statements will come out, and if you follow this book, you should be able to appreciate, at least qualitatively, what it all means. Thus if, as I suspect, new much heavier mesons are found, then much of the standard model will fall. Alternatively, if the Higgs is found where it is supposed to be and what I suspect will turn up doesn't, then the reader will gratefully realize they understand nature, at least to a point. This book is one of the very few guides available.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1A6KB3O3GANX0
• A Waste 24 October, 2008
Very disappointing. Poorly written. I wanted a detailed explanation of the new thoughts in physics and got a droll tedious lecture on physics. It was painful to plod through the entire book.
Don't ...
- Reviewed by customer ID: AQKJ56YIWWNHM
• Very Clear, Balanced Intro To Modern Physics And Its Frontiers 30 October, 2008
I found Lisa Randall's "Warped Passages . . ." to be an extremely accessible book for the layperson because of its clarity and balanced emphasis on each of several competing and non-competing modern physics theories.
Each of the several layperson-friendly books on physics that I have read contains an introductory set of chapters on which the main premise of the particular book is based. In terms of understandability, some are fair, others are adequate, and others are quite good. For example, I found such chapters in Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe" to be quite good. However, Lisa Randall's "Warped Passages . . ." contains exceptionally clear introductory chapters. This clarity not only demonstrates her command and understanding of these early parts of her book, it also effectively expresses her humility and implicit acknowledgment of the incompleteness of the various competing theories that make up her life work. This intellectual honesty lends credibility and therefore ease of understanding to her mode of expression. For example, unlike Brian Greene, who seems to prefer "string theory" and its progeny over all competing theories (for reasons which frustratingly fade away in inverse proportion to the number of pages in his book), Lisa Randall takes a comprehensive and perhaps therefore a more objective approach to each theory she discusses.
The history of modern physics from the late 19th century through today is replete with partial "sub-theories," each of which form the foundations (and limitations) of quantum mechanics and the theories of relativity. If such history is to be any guide, Lisa Randall's "weigh and consider several theory" approach to explain the nature of space, time, energy, and matter is not only sound, but necessary, not only to diversify intellectual and fiscal resources in an economic sense, but also to build the most scientifically robust model possible.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AOZ7H9DI7LTKB
• Why I Was Interested In Science In The First Place 19 August, 2008
From the moment I first saw this book I was intrigued. I have followed developments in high energy physics only occasionally since I graduated 10 years ago. After picking up Dr. Randall's book I started feeling that excitement for science that led me to physics in the first place.
Warped Passages is written in a very accessible style, with many analogies attempting to clarify complex and non-intuitive concepts. My favorite was an explanation of the strong nuclear force using events from the Trojan War. While a reader with no background in physics or mathematics will be able to follow the topics presented, exposure to these sciences exponentially increases the amount of information conveyed.
The chronological presentation of particle physics history provides a background that is difficult to get otherwise. The inclusion of anecdotes and quotes from the scientists involved with the history is one of the things that makes Warped Passages so readable. This book stands out in that it not only conveys an intuitive understanding of the material, but actually delves into detail about the science. The book is clearly timed well to help build awareness and excitement as the Large Hadron Collider approaches full operation. Readers will likely be much more interested in the events unfolding at the LHC after gaining a deeper understanding of what is being sought.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1CRZRZEKU6154
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