"Eleven dimensions, parallel universes, and a world made up of strings. And it's not science fiction, it's string theory." With this statement, NOVA host Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, where he is one of the world's foremost string theorists, takes the viewer on an intriguing journey called The Elegant Universe. String theory is a unified theory of the universe postulating that fundamental ingredients of nature are not zero-dimensional point particles but tiny one-dimensional filaments called strings. String theory harmoniously unites quantum mechanics and general relativity, the previously known laws of the small and the large that are otherwise incompatible. Using humor, graphics, and familiar images to explain the current thoughts of laws of the universe, along with guest speakers to clarify the concepts, the program presents its theories via visuals. Linking Einstein's theories of the laws of the universe with those of Isaac Newton's laws of gravity, Greene develops the theory of strings and connects it to Einstein's thinking on relativity. Pure science buffs and even courses on physics or astronomy would find this program beneficial as a supplemental aid. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries. LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources, Bronx Community Coll., CUNY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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