In Search of the Multiverse: Parallel Worlds, Hidden Dimensions, and the Ultimate Quest for the Frontiers of Reality

I'm thinking of writing a novel about a scientist who travels between parallel universes, so I wanted to do some research to see if my ideas would actually hold up or not. There aren't a lot of books out there on quantum physics, particularly on the theory of the multiverse, but this one had good reviews. Despite being a difficult subject, it's fairly easy to read. The author does a good job of breaking up different theories and presenting them in an easy-to-understand way, usually with some background, so you can grasp the full concept.The only criticism I have is that sometimes the author gives more personal information than necessary about the scientists whose theories he's discussing. Like, he'll mention where the scientist lived, and what was going on in his/her life when they came up with a particular concept. I don't need to know that so-and-so was a chain smoker and couldn't do math without a cigarette in hand. If I was reading a history of quantum physics, it might be more relevant, but I wasn't expecting it here. It's only a minor complaint, though. Just a bit distracting.Even though I only read this as research for my novel, I'm wanting to learn more about quantum physics. It's a fascinating field, worthy of further investigation. Definitely recommended!

This book was very easy to understand, even though I never took any physics classes. The book gives a solid, basic, and necessary foundation on quantum mechanics and then travels on a journey of building up theories on the Multiverse. Oh, and the chapter on quantum computing literally took my breath away. I do not believe this book was not intended to sell the reader on a single theory on what the Multiverse is (hence the title, "In search..."). There are many theories described, mostly building up more and more to describe the final theory, which the author reveals is the one he believes to be correct. I loved reading this book. Period. I wish it could have gone on for another 240 pages!

I had just finished reading Gribbons' "In Search of Shrodinger's Cat" when I bought this book. Really I like "In Search of the Multiverse" but often I found myself overwhelmed and even running around in circles in my mind. To a large degree this is simply the nature of the subject, and not Gribbons' fault, but still I feel that he missed the mark in some spots where he needed to be more clear. In any event I recommend the book, but it is not for the faint at heart. It is not mathematically complex and there are no equations (and fortunately not an overindulgence of history) but if you take this stuff seriously, the theories are not something to fully digest in a single reading. I will have to go over this book a few times to get it. I certainly recommend the book but caution all that it should not be thought of as a nice warm light read over a hot chocolate while your absent-mindedly day-dreaming about infinite universes. You will, or I had to at least, really focus to get your value out of this book.

Remarkably easy to grasp considering how tangled and difficult the subject matter is. I really appreciated his light touch and the geek in me always purrs at a Monty Python or Douglas Adams reference. I'm not saying this book is easy sailing for those of us (like me) who didn't study much science in school and are paying the price in later life, but it's a far more delightful trip than I had anticipated.

Among the many books on the higher Physics that I have read, I found this one to be very readable and among my favorites! The author is very gifted to make difficult topics easier to understand for the non-Physicist. The book gives an easy overview of the field of Cosmology, as well as interesting extrapolations of the data to theories of Multiverses and the reasons that support these theories. It is a good read for any layman with an interest in Cosmology!

John Gribbin'sin Search of the Multiverse: Parallel Worlds, Hidden Dimensions, Ultimate Quest for Frontiers of Reality [Hardcover](2010) I really don't have much to say except that this book met my expectations and then some. I was looking for something on the topic the book covers, and this did it in a fun way. It was easy to understand and read and I enjoyed it. A definite keeper.

This is the 2nd of Gribbin's books I have read - now looking forward to getting my hands on the rest. He is a wonderful example of the science writer who can take a massively complex field of study, make it accessible, yet not dumb it down.That being said, this book is still heavy lifting for large chunks. Not having read much on quantum physics and especially string theory before, I found myself re-reading some chapters before being able to move on, but was rewarded for doing so.Other reviewers say it better than I can, but I wanted to add my two cents on one important part. The final two chapters are the meat of the book, and fly by. Everything before is laying the foundation for Gribbin to lay out the latest and, for me, most surprising thinking in the field.

This was a great book if you into physics and want to dwell into other realms of possibilities then read this book. It does give some compelling explanations and is well worth the read if your into reading and/or studying different theories.

That I managed to hang on to the narrative thread pretty-much to the end says much more about John Gribbin's writing than it does about my comprehension. Well worth the trip, though, and I might well read it again one day when I feel strong enough.

Well written and easy to follow. Even if some of the ideas and scales of things seem to be incomprehensible. It's a great read and makes you think why am I on this train from London??!!!

If you want to know how things got the way they did in the Universe and have some understanding of what reality is......well read John Gribbin's Book in search of the Multi-verse. Definitely recommend.J.

Very interesting and compulsive reading

As with all of John Gribbins' books this is another well written and excellently explained take on a fascinating subject