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If Albert Einstein were alive, he would have a copy of The Road to Reality on his bookshelf. So would Isaac Newton. This may be the most complete mathematical explanation of the universe yet published, and Roger Penrose richly deserves the accolades he will receive for it. That said, let us be perfectly clear: this is not an easy book to read. The number of people in the world who can understand everything in it could probably take a taxi together to Penrose's next lecture. Still, math-friendly readers looking for a substantial and possibly even thrillingly difficult intellectual experience should pick up a copy (carefully--it's over a thousand pages long and weighs nearly 4 pounds) and start at the beginning, where Penrose sets out his purpose: to describe "the search for the underlying principles that govern the behavior of our universe." Beginning with the deceptively simple geometry of Pythagoras and the Greeks, Penrose guides readers through the fundamentals--the incontrovertible bricks that hold up the fanciful mathematical structures of later chapters. From such theoretical delights as complex-number calculus, Riemann surfaces, and Clifford bundles, the tour takes us quickly on to the nature of spacetime. The bulk of the book is then devoted to quantum physics, cosmological theories (including Penrose's favored ideas about string theory and universal inflation), and what we know about how the universe is held together. For physicists, mathematicians, and advanced students, The Road to Reality is an essential field guide to the universe. For enthusiastic amateurs, the book is a project to tackle a bit at a time, one with unimaginable intellectual rewards. --Therese Littleton
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Praise for The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose
“A truly remarkable book...Penrose does much to reveal the beauty and subtlety that connects nature and the human imagination, demonstrating that the quest to understand the reality of our physical world, and the extent and limits of our mental capacities, is an awesome, never-ending journey rather than a one-way cul-de-sac.”
—London Sunday Times
“Penrose’s work is genuinely magnificent, and the most stimulating book I have read in a long time.”
—Scotland on Sunday
“Science needs more people like Penrose, willing and able to point out the flaws in fashionable models from a position of authority and to signpost alternative roads to follow.”
—The Independent
“What a joy it is to read a book that doesn't simplify, doesn't dodge the difficult questions, and doesn't always pretend to have answers...Penrose’s appetite is heroic, his knowledge encyclopedic, his modesty a reminder that not all physicists claim to be able to explain the world in 250 pages.”
—London Times
“For physics fans, the high point of the year will undoubtedly be The Road to Reality.”
—Guardian
From the Hardcover edition.
“A truly remarkable book...Penrose does much to reveal the beauty and subtlety that connects nature and the human imagination, demonstrating that the quest to understand the reality of our physical world, and the extent and limits of our mental capacities, is an awesome, never-ending journey rather than a one-way cul-de-sac.”
—London Sunday Times
“Penrose’s work is genuinely magnificent, and the most stimulating book I have read in a long time.”
—Scotland on Sunday
“Science needs more people like Penrose, willing and able to point out the flaws in fashionable models from a position of authority and to signpost alternative roads to follow.”
—The Independent
“What a joy it is to read a book that doesn't simplify, doesn't dodge the difficult questions, and doesn't always pretend to have answers...Penrose’s appetite is heroic, his knowledge encyclopedic, his modesty a reminder that not all physicists claim to be able to explain the world in 250 pages.”
—London Times
“For physics fans, the high point of the year will undoubtedly be The Road to Reality.”
—Guardian
From the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for those who are interested,
By
This review is from: The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Physical Universe (Hardcover)
The Road to Reality is an excellent book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Having said that, I am a little surprised that it is a bestseller, and will readily admit that it is not a book for everyone. Unlike many of the writers of books on popular physics Penrose is not willing to hand-wave, nor shirk the mathematics required to present this sort of material in a detailed way. That means that the book is steeped in quite abstract mathematics, most of which needs to be solidly grasped before one can proceed. The mathematics is built up in the first half of the book, and once the mathematical machinery is in place it is applied to the problem of modern physics. This makes the book quite heavy going for anyone with a relatively light mathematical background - it is not unapproachable, since all the required mathematics is explained in the book, but it will be more of a long term project, with each chapter having to be fully digested, than a light read. The benefit of this is that, with the formalism properly developed, modern physics can be properly and fully explained in detail rather than glossed over with a series of "gee-whiz" metaphors. If you want to actually understand (rather than be "entertained by") modern physics then The Road to Reality provides and excellent, approachable, book that takes the reader from elementary mathematics to the cutting edge of research.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overall well worth the price and effort,
By Peter Brassel (Maple Ridge, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Physical Universe (Hardcover)
Despite the previous work of Roger Penrose concerning my favourite topic (neuroscience, mind-brain issues, consciousness, etc.), this is the first book of his that I have read (not quite finished yet, not that fast !). I am quite impressed overall, wanting a well discussed introduction to some of the primary mathematics and physics that have led to our current time. This, Roger Penrose functionally provides, though at times some of his discussion could be clearer. He has made a sensible and successful effort to write at a number of different levels so that those with no mathematical background can read prose for content and ideas, and those with significant previous knowledge and ability can work on proofs of various arguments, etc. This is certainly a weighty set of chapters, and I cannot comment on the appropriateness of some of the latter chapters vis a vis current arguments and the positions held by other scientists, but definitely, this is one of the most significant and important books of its type to arrive on the scene and with some significant effort on the part of the reader, should repay hansomely!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful mindboggling,
By J. Gray "Quantum Snark" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Road to Reality (Paperback)
Essentially, this book will appeal to two types of people: 1) those with backgrounds in mathematics/physics, and 2) those mathematics/physics enthusiasts who regularly grumble when popular science books leave OUT the equations. Belonging to the latter group, I decided to take the plunge and buy that Professor Penrose had pretty much summed up the entire idea behind the mathematical world in something the size of a phonebook. Really, it wasn't just so I could flash it about, and claim that it was bigger than any other guy's reading material-- I had a genuine curiosity, and buggeringly little formal education in the matter.And, oh, Penrose delivers. Depending on how comfortable you are, you might find it a leisure read, or something akin to climbing Kilimanjaro. Still, Penrose provides the mathematical Sherpas for you, and tosses the odd brain-warping concept your way. It comes off as a gradual ascent into the heady depths of wonderfully satisfying knowledge, and is a true gem for the curious. If you had taken "A Brief History of Time", and expanded it to include -everything- else in the world of mathematical physics (plus equations), you have a rough idea as to how The Road to Reality works. Mathematical awakenings indeed! A thorough reading of Road to Reality (and subsequent re-readings to realize just what the hell you missed) is a long-overdue step for all fans (both of them) of the Pop-Physics/Math genre. And if nothing else, you can practically observe its intense mass pull things towards it. It's really neat.
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