pop physics

[rm]

Hey y'all, I'm an idiot at physics (the only science that seriously, seriously stymied me in school, which is a pity, since I rock at math), but want to read some "pop physics" type crap, probably on string theory type stuff. Recommendations?

Comments

[timiathan.livejournal.com]

Everything by Michio Kaku, but Hyperspace in particular. And I'd second the Brian Greene, though I prefer Kaku.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to decide between Greene and Kaku (and then betwen Hyperspace and the newer Kaku) book now. Can you tell me what's different either stylistically or as far as content focus?

[reudaly.livejournal.com]

I TOTALLY encourage Greene. He can actually speak layman, so the math is all in the back where it doesn't sneak up and scare ya. Brian Greene is my favorite physicist...

[timiathan.livejournal.com]

It's been awhile since I read them, but I remember Kaku as being more whimsical -- maybe less nuts and bolts, but more daydreaming about what the possibilities could be. Greene was good, too, though. They both do a great job of writing the layspeak, and keeping it all interesting...it's just the Hyperspace seems more memorable.

[(Anonymous)]

Both Greene and Kaku have each developed important elements of string theory, and they tend to lean a little toward their specialities: Kaku is a "let's search for cosmic strings that are light-years long" guy, while Greene is an "let's find the strings that are about 1/10^35 the size of a proton" guy. Kaku tends to use a little more pop culture in his explanations, Greene is a little more reserved.

I've interviewed them both, and I sense the slightest rivalry between them.

[justpat.livejournal.com]

Both Greene and Kaku have each developed important elements of string theory, and they tend to lean a little toward their specialities: Kaku is a "let's search for cosmic strings that are light-years long" guy, while Greene is an "let's find the strings that are about 1/10^35 the size of a proton" guy. Kaku tends to use a little more pop culture in his explanations, Greene is a little more reserved.

I've interviewed them both, and I sense the slightest rivalry between them.

[earthgoat.livejournal.com]

My recommendation seconds Hyperspace