The Trouble With Physics, by Lee Smolin

The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next, by Lee Smoln
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
355 pages, plus acknowledgments, notes and index. No photos
Library: 530.14 SMO
Description
In this illuminating book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that fundamental physics-the search for the laws of nature-is losing its way. Ambitious ideas about extra dimensions, exotic particles, multiple universes, and strings have captured the public's imagination - and the imagination of experts.

But these ideas have not been tested experimentally, and some, like string theory, seem to offer no possibility of being tested. Yet these speculations dominate the field, attracting the best talent and much of the funding and creating a climate in which emerging physicists are often penalized for pursuing other avenues.

As Smolin points out, the situation threatens to impede the very progress of science. With clarity, passion and authority, Smolin offers an unblinking assessment of the troubles that face modern physics - and an encouraging view of where the search for the next big idea may lead.

Table of contents
Introduvtion
Part I: The Unfinished Revolution
1. The Five Great Problems in Theoretical Physics
2. The Beauty Myth
3. The World as Geometry
4. Unification Becomes a Science
5. From Unification to Superunification
6. Quantum Gravity: The Fork in the Road

Part II: A Brief History of String Theory
7. Preparing for a REvolution
8. The First Superstring Revolution
9. Revolution Number Two
10. A Theory of Anything
11. The Anthropic Solution
12. What String Theory Explains

Part III: Beyond String Theory
13. Surprises from the Real World
14. Building on Einstein
15. Physics After String Theory

Part IV: Learning From Experience
16. How do you Fight Sociology?
17. What is Science
18. Seers and Craftspeople
19. How Science Really Works
20. What We Can Do For Science
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index