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The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,058 ratings

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The epic story of the greatest quest in all of science—the holy grail of physics that would explain the creation of the universe—from renowned theoretical physicist and author of The Future of the Mind and The Future of Humanity.

When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since then, physicists have been placing new forces into ever-grander theories.
 
But perhaps the ultimate challenge is achieving a monumental synthesis of the two remaining theories—relativity and the quantum theory. This would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science: What happened before the Big Bang? What lies on the other side of a black hole? Are there other universes and dimensions? Is time travel possible? Why are we here?
 
Kaku also explains the intense controversy swirling around this theory, with Nobel laureates taking opposite sides on this vital question. It is a captivating, gripping story; what’s at stake is nothing less than our conception of the universe.
 
Written with Kaku’s trademark enthusiasm and clarity, this epic and engaging journey is the story of
The God Equation.

From the Publisher

a real intellectual eye-opener

the epic story of the greatest quest in all of science

illuminating. an important work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A SMITHSONIAN BEST SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR

“This is an excellent book written by a masterful science communicator. . . . If there is anyone who can demystify the esoteric mathematics and physics of string theory, it is [Kaku]. And in this wonderful little book, that is precisely what he does—explain in clear and simple terms the conceptual breakthroughs, the blind alleys and the unanswered questions—in the search for a grand unified theory of everything. . . .
The God Equation dazzles. . . . Kaku, a consummate storyteller, provides an engaging, unvarnished account. . . . His book presents cutting-edge ideas in theoretical physics, and primes readers to be ready when the next major breakthrough occurs.” —The Wall Street Journal

"[Kaku writes] about science in clean, concise language. . . . A clear and engaging story of a difficult scientific quest." —
Smithsonian Magazine

"Authoritative and accessible." —
Nature

“Kaku eloquently reviews the structure of our universe, highlighting contributions from intellectual giants and those continuing the daunting, decades-long quest for the elusive theory of everything. . . . Examining this tantalizing theory, Kaku outlines its promises, problems, and the breathtaking, almost inconceivable array of possibilities it presents. Kaku's latest captures the awesome and mysterious beauty of the universe, of our planet, and of ourselves, and will intrigue anyone who ponders existence.” —
Booklist

“Riveting. . . . Kaku’s expertise at making mind-bending concepts comprehensible makes this a real intellectual eye-opener.” —
Publishers Weekly

“An expert account of the search for 'the holy grail of physics.' . . . Illuminating. . . . An important work.” —
Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

MICHIO KAKU is a professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, co-founder of string field theory, and the author of several widely acclaimed science books, including Beyond Einstein, The Future of Humanity, The Future of the Mind, Hyperspace, Physics of the Future, and Physics of the Impossible. He is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning, the host of the radio programs Science Fantastic and Exploration, and a host of several science TV specials for the BBC and the Discovery and Science Channels.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08CTGL22R
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage (April 6, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8468 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 215 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,058 ratings

About the author

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Michio Kaku
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Michio Kaku is the co-founder of String Field Theory and is the author of international best-selling books such as Hyperspace, Visions, and Beyond Einstein. Michio Kaku is the Henry Semat Professor in Theoretical Physics at the City University of New York.

Photo by Cristiano Sant´Anna/indicefoto.com for campuspartybrasil [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4,058 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to understand and well-written. They appreciate the summary understanding of major theories throughout history, and the profound explanation of the universe. The book is described as a great, fun read that is concise and to the point. Readers praise the author as a distinguished physicist who has done pioneering work.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

87 customers mention "Ease of reading"74 positive13 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understandable. They appreciate the clear, simple writing style that makes it accessible to everyone. The writing style is unique in its informative and educational content while at the same time being accessible.

"...On the other hand, it is an easy to read summary of physics, the history of physics, quantum physics and eventually string theory...." Read more

"Very understandable" Read more

"...Kaku with is usual charisma takes a complex topic and makes it understandable for the novice. Highly recommended...." Read more

"...So this book is RECOMMENDED for beginners. I never read a book twice but I definitely read this book many more times." Read more

73 customers mention "Knowledge level"68 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's knowledge level. They find it provides a summary understanding of major theories throughout time and the history of physics research. The book provides a profound explanation of the universe and how it dwells within all humanity. Readers enjoy the theoretical approach and find learning about quantum theory fascinating.

"...It is very fascinating to learn the history of all of physics and how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together by some of the greatest physicists..." Read more

"...Not a math major myself so the information was shared in a wonderful way that I could understand and now I will look at some of those equations to..." Read more

"...On the other hand, it is an easy to read summary of physics, the history of physics, quantum physics and eventually string theory...." Read more

"...I enjoyed his theoretical approach. Quantum Theory is fascinating but mind boggling!" Read more

73 customers mention "Readability"69 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's concise and to the point, with good points. The book is interesting and thought-provoking, with an understandable conclusion. Readers appreciate how it combines a good storyline and consider it worth reading for understanding science over time and the human factor.

"This was a excellent book. I find the title to be somewhat misleading, but it does fit...." Read more

"...His explanations are lucid, modest and it was a fun read...." Read more

"...This book is the best book on the current state of physics notwithstanding my objections to quantum physics huge problems...." Read more

"Just started reading. A very good book." Read more

14 customers mention "String theory"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the string theory a perfect equation that adds gravity. They find it an excellent survey of the origins of string theory and modern physics. The book weaves theoretical contradictions and debates into its discussion with beauty. It starts at the beginning, goes through Neutonian physics, Einstein and relativity, then switches to quantum physics and finally to String Theory.

"...He explains string theory very well in layman’s terms and gives us the truth about the hype and the disappointments but also hope regarding where..." Read more

"An excellent introduction to quantum theory." Read more

"...String theory is a perfect equation in that it has symmetry, and it also adds gravity to the mix, something that had perplexed scientists for..." Read more

"...I enjoyed his theoretical approach. Quantum Theory is fascinating but mind boggling!" Read more

10 customers mention "Author"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's work. They find him a well-respected physicist who has done pioneering work. The book contains excerpts from scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers. It is written without mathematical equations and does not require a physics background to understand the concepts presented.

"...all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together by some of the greatest physicists...." Read more

"Michio Kaku is a renowned theoretical physicist and an excellent popularizer of science and especially physics...." Read more

"This is my absolute favorite book! Not only does world renowned physicist Michio Kaku mention what the purpose of the God Equation is but also how..." Read more

"...He has a lot of fantastic excerpts from scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers, but then concludes with his own ill informed remarks...." Read more

Amazing
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing
cards to keep. Pre-orderex this book and received it quickly after the release. Michio never ceases to amaze me with his books and we'll thought out theories . This book is no exception. Amazing. If you love Physics you will love this book!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
    This was a excellent book. I find the title to be somewhat misleading, but it does fit. The book goes through the history of physics and all of the mathematical discoveries that have lead to string theory and how they all fit together. It is very fascinating to learn the history of all of physics and how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together by some of the greatest physicists. The author also talks about how it cannot be proven and is not definitive, but mathematically it is the best solution we currently have. Very good book.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
    I thank you Mr. Kaku for sharing your knowledge and special insight into the world of physics. Not a math major myself so the information was shared in a wonderful way that I could understand and now I will look at some of those equations to increase my mathematical understanding. Sincere best wishes and hopefully many more books to come.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021
    Michio Kaku is a renowned theoretical physicist and an excellent popularizer of science and especially physics. I love reading his books including this one. If you have read his other books you will not find much new in this book. On the other hand, it is an easy to read summary of physics, the history of physics, quantum physics and eventually string theory. The focus is on the search for the theory of everything or as some call it “the God Equation”.

    I found chapter 6 (there are 7 chapters) “Rise of String Theory Promise and Problems” to be very enlightening and honest. He explains string theory very well in layman’s terms and gives us the truth about the hype and the disappointments but also hope regarding where string theory and M-theory might take us. He gives us his view of the promises of string theory and he explains why we should not write it off just because it is difficult to experimentally verify. He convinced me, but it may take time before we will know whether string theory is the path forward.

    His explanations are lucid, modest and it was a fun read. However, personally I was expecting something a little bit “deeper”, and I don’t think it is his best book, so not five stars from me, but I still enjoyed it.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    Very understandable
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
    I studies about how peoples get to god, and even with the mystical Kabbalah there is a system with holy number that are really God names. I'm an artist and usually don't visualize anything. But I learned to visualize under a lot of concentration, so that I could look at four blocks at the same time. You know kind of like placing my mind set on both side at a point where I saw most of the cub. I like how one friend said that once you get to the furthest understanding of God and you are really talking to God remember that that is only the first step of talking to the highest power. and that there are maybe ten more sets of Sephirothic trees on with in another or over over the other. In other words if we find the tree of life with the
    I'm hoping that once he find the God equation he find away to get to the half dimensions, You know where a person works their magi kind of to see, And I hope that making that equations misplay is figuring out where the portions of the sub quotations sits. So maybe he will make the equations simple each major equations is then given a letter or a symbol. In the equations that is simple where the components sets might be happenstance, like thoroughgoing every known equations into a paper bad and then once you draw out the equations you write the quintessence of that equations into the one larger simple equations. I wonder where the balance or chi, would be in a simple equations, only where the two side balance, half of the equation answer each other leaving a lot of space for all the side equations. If makes a flow chart, that looks like the tree of life, maybe he should look at the whole tree of like like houses on a street. That way the author will not fall. And that way the God with in a God might be brought out of ideas to play with the equations him self. I like the way he enplanes his fields.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    An excellent introduction to quantum theory.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024
    Michiu Kaku with is usual charisma takes a complex topic and makes it understandable for the novice. Highly recommended. I intend to read this topic further after reading this.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Joan Matamoros Márquez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
    Reviewed in Spain on November 15, 2024
    Interesante. He aprendido cosas nuevas que otros libros de fisica no mencionan.
  • Sanskar Sharma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and Informative
    Reviewed in India on September 8, 2024
    The language is simple for most of the people.
  • PCX
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not satisfied
    Reviewed in Belgium on June 26, 2024
    Book is written more to let promote Kaku than to address a real scientific progress
  • Felix
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super good book
    Reviewed in Sweden on August 3, 2023
    Super good book
  • Francis Shaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in Germany on July 21, 2023
    A good interesting read. Unconvinced by string theory. Way more evidence needed and it still feels like the demand to find a theory for everything is driving a belief beyond reasonable proof.

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