Review by Choice Review
A very well written popularization of modern physics by a physicist who previously authored The Fate of the Universe (CH, Jul '82) and Time's Arrows (CH, Jun '85). This new work easily ranks among the best of the genre. Its principle strength is the utter clarity with which the author presents difficult philosophical distinctions relevant to physics-one could not easily come away with silly misconceptions. The work, especially Part 3, ``The Nature of Reality,'' shows a fine grasp of the subtle distinctions among the properly physical, the properly philosophical, and the broad intersection between them. Part 1, ``The Nature of Matter,'' discusses the ``new'' physics; part 2, ``The Nature of the Universe,'' discusses cosmology. Well bound with a good bibliography and adequate index. Morris's fine writing makes elegant ideas accessible to secondary school students while the content will hold the interest of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.-R.L. Greenwood, University of South Alabama
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
That Morris is a master at popular science writing was evidenced by his The Fate of the Universe and Time's Arrows. Yet in this short attempt to summarize the exciting discoveries and increasingly wild new speculations made by physicists who have been wallowing in a world of quarks, mesons, gluons and tantalizing virtual particles through the 1970s and up to this day, he has fallen victim to the elusive mysteries of his subject. His chronological scenario shows how scientists have progressed from an understanding of the electron and the concept of ``fields,'' moving from theory to experiment to theory at a speed unheard of in ancient times when ether was believed real. But Morris's effort at capturing what scientists know about reality (note the reversible title) brings him precisely to where quantum physics is right now: at sea in a boat named The Uncertainty Principle, rocked by echoes of the Big Bang and contemplating ideas (many universes?) once scorned as metaphysical. 20,000 first printing; $15,000 ad/promo. (October 27) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Although the title suggests that the topic is philosophy, this book deals with some of the key areas of current theoretical physicsforces and fields, cosmology, Grand Unified Theories, and the future of physics. Morris, the author of The Fate of the Universe and Time's Arrows and himself a physicist, describes the successes and the unresolved dilemmas of present-day physics at a level accessible to lay readers but without flashy sensationalism. He is commendably candid in describing the recent tendency of theoretical physics to drift far from areas open to experimental tests. While willing to state his own opinion on controversial issues he describes other viewpoints fairly. This is an excellent example of scientific popularization; it is highly recommended for academic and public libraries. Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
