Warped Passages

I don't feel entirely comfortable writing a detailed review of this book, because I didn't fully read through the entire thing - it was due back at the library, so I only had a chance to skim through the last few chapters. Eventually I'll get back to the rest of it, however.

Randall provides an introductory-level approach to string theory, as well as the history of physics leading up to it (Newton, Einstein, and that type of stuff). She does so in a relaxed, easy to follow manner that's definitely intended for people who want to learn more about contemporary physics. In that case, I suppose this could be considered the “Brief History of Time” of string theory.

That said, I'm still not entirely sold on the theory. The basic idea of string theory is that we live in a universe of more than the four dimensions we're used to, and that for one reason or another we haven't been able to understand or detect those dimensions. These dimensions are used to offer an explanation about why certain elements of physics don't seem to work together, such as the relative weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces, and the lack of cohesiveness between relativity and quantum physics. Answering these questions has been the goal of a lot of physicists in the past generation, so I can understand the appeal of the theory.
However (and maybe this is just me being uninformed), from what I've read, string theory seems to rely a lot on conjecture and guesswork, at this point at least, with little actual experimental reality to back it up. I remain unsold on the theory for now as a result.

A very good layman's introduction to notions of modern mathematical physics, quantum mechanics, cosmology, and the quest for a unified field theory. I enjoyed reading it very much.
My only quibble with the book was that it lacked the mathematical detail I would have liked. However, I am probably an atypical reader. I have a B.S. in Mathematics from MIT and M.S. and M.A. degrees in Math from my 10+ years in grad school studying math. Still, a Suggestions for Further Reading section would have been really helpful for those interested in learning more technical detail.