The Hidden Reality

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)