What book on String theory or LQG is recommended for pleasure reading?

[Tom McCurdy]

What book should I read for pleasure... that's not too large hopefully about either String theory or LQG. I have already read the Elegant Universe. I have to read a book for class.

 

[marcus]

What book should I read for pleasure... that's not too large hopefully about either String theory or LQG. I have already read the Elegant Universe. I have to read a book for class.

the only thing I can think of the might fill the bill is Brian Greene's
latest

I remember you enjoyed "Elegant"
so you like his style and can read the next book for pleasure
it should be an easy read, compared with books about LQG I can think of,
it is about String (thus hits one of your two targets)
you can read it for class, and do a book report that both the teacher and some other students will understand
so it seems like the only choice.

I can't give a direct recommendation because i haven't read any Brian Greene.

If you want something less usual, there are two books by Lee Smolin:

The Life of the Cosmos

Three Roads to Quantum Gravity

either would probably fill the bill and you might get some new ideas in the bargain

 

[Xare]

I read both the elegant universe and his latest one. I forget the name right nowl..

I do like his writing style, he always seems to work homer simpson in ;p He can reach the common man lol

 

[PRodQuanta]

The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene is pretty good, but it's lengthier than Smolin's Three Roads to Quantum Gravity. I would recommend Three Roads to Quantum Gravity. It gives you a little taste of something other than string theory.

Paden Roder

 

[Tom McCurdy]

thanks, I also have been reading reviews on fabric of the cosmos and people say it just restates what the elegant universe did.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Fabric of the Cosmos ends up with a rapid survey of what's in Elegant Universe but from a different perspective, and it does the history of twentieth century quantum theory which a lot of other books do too. I found that Greene's insight is a reason to read the book, but not a reason sufficient to make me want to buy it.

 

[Tom McCurdy]

Oh I already bought the book, I have a large collection of books I have yet to read that I bought on String theory and Quantum physics

i'll be back with a list sometime

 

[Tom McCurdy]

What would people think about reading

Quantum: A guide for the perplexed
Jim Al-Kahalili

 

[Tom McCurdy]

It seems to have awesome reviews at amazon and I already own it so I think I am going to start reading it.