The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory

By: George Musser

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Everything is connected.

We're living in the midst of a scientific revolution that's captured the general public's attention and imagination. The aim of this new revolution is to develop a "theory of everything," a set of laws of physics that will explain all that can be explained, ranging from the tiniest subatomic particle to the universe as a whole. Here, readers will learn the ideas behind the theories and their effects upon our world, our civilization, and ourselves.

©2008 George Musser (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"George Musser presents the multidimensional world of string theory in this fantastic primer on all things physics....The book is not only for beginners, but its lucid explanations ensure that even an idiot will emerge with an ear for the strange music of reality." ( New Scientist)

A Quantum mechanic hobbyist enjoys a good read

I enjoyed the read, as it delved into many areas of particle physics theory. The narrator was a pleasure with which to listen. It was a little challenging later in the book without the ability to easily 'flip' back to prevous concepts for reference.

I get it's a complex subject but...

so the first half of the book is about foundational physics theory. and I get it, that a foundation may be needed to go into the depths but alot of time is spent there. second. the "idiots" aspect is also short. there isn't alot if practical examples of what the theories are actually saying. I guess that's to say, they weren't explained very well... very idiotically. the info is cool. I like physics so when I amped up my brain I could get engaged and I learned some things. but I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is expecting to really get a focused explaination as to what string theory is and what it really is saying. at the conclusion of this book... I still am not sure. and I get that the industry it's self isn't sure... but this book does not take a stance or make an effort to explain a single view or perspective conclusively. at least not to my understanding.

I love it!

Sometimes a little confusing but still very informative. The man reading can be a little slow though but you can speed it up so it's all good.

Misunderstood title?

Either I've misunderstood the title as presenting who this book is *for* rather than who it's *by* ... or I'm much less complete as a idiot than I'd have thought.

Well done! And I’m usually a critical thinker.

This book, although in the comments below people will say it wasn’t very informative, it gives you a place to start coherently, and with information that we already have all in one place, so you should listen to this. And that’s coming from a person working on the “theory of everything”

It’s in the “idiots guide” for a reason to help help people have a better understanding of where we are as a society in a physics atmosphere, and it touches on every subject, but it could within the space of the book .

Hard to follow and boring

So interested in the string theory but this was kind of depressing and couldn't even get through some of it.

First half was brilliant

I was enthralled in the first half, then brilliance turned to noise. Good overall tho

An excellent survey for those of us who are mathematically challenged.

First, I'd like to say that I am truly a "lay" science reader. When I pick up books like this, I'm usually trying to find the source of some science fiction writer's ideas.

Second, I'd probably find a Chinese menu fascinating, if it was read by Ray Porter.

Third, I'm a "skim-reader" and usually don't finish books like this one.

I listened to this book like a mystery novel and could neither set it aside nor wait to see what happens next.

Great job, everyone!

Old and eh

Mostly a book about foundational physics with very little actual string theory. Lots of speculation and hypothesis, but not a whole lot of explanation. This book is pretty dated at this point and might have been decent back in 2008, but there’s so much more info now. Recommend Brian Greene as opposed to this.

Not recommended

Made a difficult subject understandable

I enjoyed the book and learned somethings. The reader was very good so it made it easy to listen to.