The God Equation

Michio Kaku uses his sparkling wit and canny narration to delve into phenomenal cosmic concepts so mind-blowing you will say 'WOW" after every chapter. Informative, but far from merely providing information, The God Equation is suitable for the lay person and yet doesn't dumb down the material. Thought provoking, entertaining and fascinating.

The God Equation is different from other titles of Kaku's I've read in the past.

I say that because this reads a little like a brief history, like a beginners almanac of science that succinctly details the journey as well as the landmark discoveries and contributions physicists have made, or are making, as they continue their hunt for a theory of everything. (Because, no, unfortunately scientists haven't found a way to fuse relativity with quantum yet. But they're trying!) It begins with Newton and Einstein, veers into quantum mechanics, dips into dark matter, energy, black holes, then finishes with a perusal of string theory to show how far we've come in our understanding of the physics of the universe and how far we still have to go.

I liked how Kaku took me on a tour of some of physics' Biggest Moments in the past and present. Progressing chronologically allowed him to explain significant concepts, like Einstein's theories of relativity, like the Higg's boson, like symmetry, and also to build off of them to show how they could or will fit into a unified theory of the universe.

As is typical with his work, Kaku managed to probe comprehensive cosmological concepts with accessible narration, succinctness, and delicacy. The text itself was equal parts instructive and absorbing. He made explanations of gravity, quantum, and nuclear forces not only comprehensible to amateurs like me everywhere but compelling, too. And he did so without once compromising the density of the subject matter.

Enlightening and entertaining! 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC.

Oddly philosophical. And very soothing in the time of COVID-19 and political insurrection. When weighed against the eons, our problems seem smaller. Highly recommended, even for those, like me, who are not physics-literate.

This book gives a succinct overview of the history of modern physics and looks to the discoveries of the future. The primary focus is on how string theory can bridge the gap between general relativity and quantum theory. The book explains string theory in a way that's accessible to lay people. I came away with a better understanding than I had before.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Like most books on physics, this one gives a summary of the history of physics until now as a background for the subject. I think it was a good wrap-up for both people who know nothing about the subject to those who have had some classes before reading it. It covers what it needs to without going too deeply into unnecessary tangents.

When you get to the meat of the topic Dr. Kaku does a very good argument of what he believes might be true, other possibilities and lays out the possibilities of where the field of physics might go from here.

I would recommend this book to other readers (including students) for several reasons. First that it is easy to read and that Michio Kaku is very good at being a science communicator. Then there is the fact that it is great at sharing where physics is, including the fact that there is still a lot to learn. For those who have some background, it is a good update to where we are.

4.5 stars

The equation of everything?...

I am grateful to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book for review.

As usual, Kaku brings his amazing ability to translate complex concepts into easily understood morsels, that can teach and impact a wide audience. His use of analogies and casual language make his book a great resource for people at all levels of science skill who are interested in physics. I think it accomplishes everything it set out to do.

One thing I'd point out about this book, is that it isn't the book that will teach you the fundamentals of quantum, nor will it give a thorough explanation of any of the concepts. This is more of a history. A carefully compiled and chronological telling of the progress of the field. It emphasizes the stages that were most impactful, and the major players (scientists) who are credited with this work. The strength of this book is its almost conversational tone. Kaku is good at this, and he puts every discovery, development, and proof in context of historical events. This has a grounding effect for readers, allowing us to put these major events in context of their influence on everyday life.

This book also includes illustrations ( simple and accessible) that I think will enhance the explanations he does give and help persons who are not as familiar with this information in an academic setting. There are also equations presented (sparingly) for people like myself, who have studied quantum mechanics in the past and may need a little math to refresh our memories. It is not overwhelming though, and I personally think they are very effective.

I enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. I recommend this for people who enjoy reading science history, and for people without a quantum mechanics background who are interested in expanding their knowledge.