Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos
Written by Michio Kaku
Narrated by Marc Vietor
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About this audiobook
Could there be other universes?
In Parallel Worlds, world-renowned physicist and bestselling author Michio Kaku-an author who "has a knack for bringing the most ethereal ideas down to earth" (Wall Street Journal)-takes readers on a fascinating tour of cosmology, M-theory, and its implications for the fate of the universe.
In his first book of physics since Hyperspace, Michio Kaku begins by describing the extraordinary advances that have transformed cosmology over the last century, and particularly over the last decade, forcing scientists around the world to rethink our understanding of the birth of the universe, and its ultimate fate. In Dr. Kaku's eyes, we are living in a golden age of physics, as new discoveries from the WMAP and COBE satellites and the Hubble space telescope have given us unprecedented pictures of our universe in its infancy.
As astronomers wade through the avalanche of data from the WMAP satellite, a new cosmological picture is emerging. So far, the leading theory about the birth of the universe is the "inflationary universe theory," a major refinement on the big bang theory. In this theory, our universe may be but one in a multiverse, floating like a bubble in an infinite sea of bubble universes, with new universes being created all the time. A parallel universe may well hover a mere millimeter from our own.
The very idea of parallel universes and the string theory that can explain their existence was once viewed with suspicion by scientists, seen as the province of mystics, charlatans, and cranks. But today, physicists overwhelmingly support string-theory, and its latest iteration, M-theory, as it is this one theory that, if proven correct, would reconcile the four forces of the universe simply and elegantly, and answer the question "What happened before the big bang?"
Already, Kaku explains, the world's foremost physicists and astronomers are searching for ways to test the theory of the multiverse using highly sophisticated wave detectors, gravity lenses, satellites, and telescopes. The implications of M-theory are fascinating and endless. If parallel worlds do exist, Kaku speculates, in time, perhaps a trillion years or more from now, as appears likely, when our universe grows cold and dark in what scientists describe as a big freeze, advanced civilizations may well find a way to escape our universe in a kind of "inter-dimensional lifeboat."
An unforgettable journey into black holes and time machines, alternate universes, and multidimensional space, Parallel Worlds gives us a compelling portrait of the revolution sweeping the world of cosmology.
Michio Kaku
Dr. Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist and the cofounder of string field theory (a branch of string theory), and he continues Einstein’s search to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into one unified theory. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including his most recent work, Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100.
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Reviews for Parallel Worlds
285 ratings10 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a great book. It's well written, making a difficult topic easy to grasp, without dumbing down the physics.There are so many interesting unanswered questions in this area, many of them the Big Questions. Kaku explores the strange implications which current evidence is forcing us to consider as possible realities; the fact that the universe appears to be 'fine-tuned' to allow our existence is strong circumstantial evidence that this observable universe is just one of many possible (unobserved) universes. Kaku includes plenty of background about the personalities involved in cosmology & modern physics and also includes examples from science fiction stories, which have always led the way in exploring some of the bizarre implications and possibilities allowed (or forced upon us) by emerging Theories of Everything.The book seemed to peak in Chapter 11, which was possibly one of the 'furthest-fetched' pieces of science writing I have ever read. Are advanced societies really going to be able to manipulate neutron stars in order to escape a dying universe? I'm not so sure. A great book, though.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book holds a special place in my science library alongside Brian Greene's FABRIC OF THE COSMOS as being among the few easily understandable treatises on modern physics. As someone with little to no mathematical ability but a keen interest in what's up with the universe, PARALLEL WORLDS has helped me wrap my head around things like bosons, uncertainty principles and superstrings. Kaku has a talent for concise metaphors that get a concept across without getting bogged down in formulae and numbers. Thank you, Michio Kaku. Now I can nod in understanding when my smart friends talk big words :)
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Despite not having a science background I still found that I could understand and appreciate this book. I cannot honestly say that I would not get lost at times, but for the most part Kaku made these complicated issues understandable to this science novice. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in our understanding of our universe and where we could possibly be heading.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book is a science based review of alternate universes and their relevance to us. Michio Kaku moves into astrophysics and cosmology within this book; broadening approaches enormously. With simple explanations of strings, m-theory, and black holes there is also focus on the importance of electromagnetism. This book makes reference to the universe that we are not alone; and the possible travel connection to parallel universes. Michio Kaku makes an appealing presentation in science that connects to the everyday world. There is a list of contacts in the physicist community for other interesting reading.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Here we have another decent book by Michio Kaku. I had recently read another of his books, Hyperspace, and was interested enough to try this one as well.This book has some updates to various topics mentioned in Hyperspace. It gives the feel that there are a lot of people moving forward with all of these theories and research in a continuous search for more knowlege. There's something cool about the whole process. The author might have started something back in college, them some other people later ran with it, then some others ran with that, building on it. Anyway, we have the same kind of topics here as mentioned in Hyperspace. These felt covered more in this book: black holes, parallel universes, time travel, worm holes. Some things were less covered: string theory, less Einstien. Some things were new: M-theory, membranes, higher dimensions (before 10 and 26, but here 11 and membranes), white holes, how to keep a wormhole open.It's another fun to read book, if you are interested in physics. I'm no scientist, and it's nice to have an author who can put out these type of books for us. Toward the end of the book, he goes into a lot of what feels like pure speculation. It still feels to me that much of this stuff could be completely obsolete with a good experiment by a rival theory. Or simply proven wrong. But then again, it could be proven right. If the society that could literally escape our universe is at least hundreds of thousands of years in the future, we can't be expected to solve those problems. But it is fun to think about. It also dawned on me, as I was reading this, how some of these guys can become fellow travelers with statists. There was some talk about the end of the nation state, which I found to be interesting. I, for one, would not want to see it. But it appears that the author thinks we will be held back in some primitive form of society until such a time as there is a global type of order. I find this humorous on one hand, because earlier in the book, he talks about these quick advances in some of the science when the US and USSR were in the cold war, trying to out do each other. Ah yes, competition has a way of doing that. And it might be true that some of the experiments they need to set up cost such a huge amount, that probably no one nation could afford it. Somehow, these guys have an awful lot of equipment and testing stations set up all over the world. It's fascinating to read about the sensors they have to detect radio, microwave, gamma bursts, extremely complex telescopes, satellites in orbit, the LHC. It's also of note that the author doesn't mind bringing up philosophical points as well. I feel that he tries to show different sides, and different views of some philisophical questions. It seems a common theme amongst these science type of books (and sci-fi) to zoom in on the Inquisition. Its as if they can't understand those days are gone. Really, it's been a long time since those days. Maybe that horse isn't really dead until they *all* look at it, and collapse it's wave form :)But don't read this book for political or religious themes, read it for the fun science topics, and inspiration for your imagination.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing! I forgot how much I loved reading science books!
This book is very understandable, even for someone who does not have a lot of knowledge in physics. I loved the theories and the speculation a quite a lot too. "Is our Universe in a cd-rom?", "Is there a purpose to the Universe?", are questions that are posed at the end of the book, matters that I love to think about. Understanding the string and the M theory, as well as many others, was also very rewarding!
Having a better understanding of the theories involving the possibility of parallel worlds was what attracted me to this book in the first place. I wasn't disappointed by what I learned here, by the contrary, it was all very nicely explained. Too bad I probably can't actually understand the math behind it once I do research, but it would be awesome.
The only part I skimmed through without interest was the one relative to technologies more advanced civilizations can use. Not that it was badly explained, but it's just a theme that never appealed to me, sounding too much like science fiction.
I'm probably biased when rating this book, given that it's the first book of this genre that I've read in the last years. Also, I'm no physic, so I have no idea in regards to the accuracy of the book. I expect it to be good though.
Overall, a great reading and a great insight on how our universe works. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent for futurist, if you think your ideas are crazy, read michio's epistle. Believe me:You will find pacification.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Well researched thought provoking particularly type 1,2,3 and 4 civilizations
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Comprehensive and layperson-friendly explanation of the history of developments in physics, Newton thru M theory. Could've done without Kaku's own philosophical ruminations on our purpose in the universe, God, etc. at the end. But all in all, a good book for non scientists who want to be literate about string and M theory.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In Parallel Worlds: The Science of Alternative Universes and Our Future in the Cosmos, Michio Kaku describes the development of quantum physics and superstring theory as well as what these concepts reveal about the universe, our place within it, and how we might ultimately transcend it. Kaku writes in a style that’s easy for laypersons to follow, explaining concepts as he goes and avoiding overly-complicated mathematical formulae in favor of clearly-worded explanations and analogies. His work also functions as a history of science, detailing how each development resulted from generations, sometimes centuries, of mathematicians and physicists building upon and refuting each other’s work. Even geniuses like Newton and Einstein fit in with this collective narrative, standing out while being part of a larger history.Kaku details the lives of some of his subjects, explaining how they did not always seem destined for greatness. He describes Albert Einstein’s experience of finding himself “hopelessly unemployable” after completing his studies. According to Kaku, Einstein’s “pleading, depressing letters show the depths to which he descended. He considered himself to be a failure and a painful financial burden on his parents. In one poignant letter, he confessed that he even considered ending his life: ‘The misfortune of my poor parents, who for so many years have not had a happy moment, weighs most heavily on me… I am nothing but a burden to my relatives… It would surely be better if I did not live at all’” (pg. 30).Further, those familiar with science-fiction will appreciate how Kaku explains the way in which fiction authors took concepts and extrapolated them, eventually inspiring physicists and mathematicians, who later inspired other authors of fiction. This cycle of art imitating life imitating art adds to the collective narrative of discovery. Naturally, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Poul Anderson, Douglas Adams, and others make appearances, while ideas like Misner space (pg. 138) and Miguel Alcubierre’s warp drive (pgs. 334-335) resemble the mirror cave from Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Cubert Farnsworth’s dark matter engine from Futurama, respectively. As a result, Kaku’s work will entertain and enlighten those seeking to learn more about the science of science-fiction.