• The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory

  • By: George Musser
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (324 ratings)

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory  By  cover art

The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory

By: George Musser
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's summary

Everything is connected.

We're living in the midst of a scientific revolution that's captured the general public's attention and imagination. The aim of this new revolution is to develop a "theory of everything," a set of laws of physics that will explain all that can be explained, ranging from the tiniest subatomic particle to the universe as a whole. Here, readers will learn the ideas behind the theories and their effects upon our world, our civilization, and ourselves.

©2008 George Musser (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"George Musser presents the multidimensional world of string theory in this fantastic primer on all things physics....The book is not only for beginners, but its lucid explanations ensure that even an idiot will emerge with an ear for the strange music of reality." ( New Scientist)

What listeners say about The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

tough to listen to

This is a very good book. I thumbed through a friends copy, but didn't have time to read it. It is tough, however, to listen to. The subject is dense. I have a graduate degree and accustom to tough subject matter, but this book begs to read in a non-liner fashion (no pun intended). You need to skip back to previous sections. Also, some of the content is in table form, which doesn't make for good listening.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent survey for those of us who are mathematically challenged.

First, I'd like to say that I am truly a "lay" science reader. When I pick up books like this, I'm usually trying to find the source of some science fiction writer's ideas.

Second, I'd probably find a Chinese menu fascinating, if it was read by Ray Porter.

Third, I'm a "skim-reader" and usually don't finish books like this one.

I listened to this book like a mystery novel and could neither set it aside nor wait to see what happens next.

Great job, everyone!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Made a difficult subject understandable

I enjoyed the book and learned somethings. The reader was very good so it made it easy to listen to.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A weak effort

A work more interested in hyperbole than science, whose essentially vacuous content is foreshadowed in the early salutation; "stringingly yours."

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

I was and Idiot to buy his book

I wish I had my money back on this one.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Quantum mechanic hobbyist enjoys a good read

I enjoyed the read, as it delved into many areas of particle physics theory. The narrator was a pleasure with which to listen. It was a little challenging later in the book without the ability to easily 'flip' back to prevous concepts for reference.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love it!

Sometimes a little confusing but still very informative. The man reading can be a little slow though but you can speed it up so it's all good.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I get it's a complex subject but...

so the first half of the book is about foundational physics theory. and I get it, that a foundation may be needed to go into the depths but alot of time is spent there. second. the "idiots" aspect is also short. there isn't alot if practical examples of what the theories are actually saying. I guess that's to say, they weren't explained very well... very idiotically. the info is cool. I like physics so when I amped up my brain I could get engaged and I learned some things. but I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is expecting to really get a focused explaination as to what string theory is and what it really is saying. at the conclusion of this book... I still am not sure. and I get that the industry it's self isn't sure... but this book does not take a stance or make an effort to explain a single view or perspective conclusively. at least not to my understanding.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not really about string theory

4/5ths of the book is about other theories. I found that annoying. Ray Porter did well with the read though.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I thought I'm an idiot to string theory

Not for me. The author mystified string theory more than elucidating it. waste of time.

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1 person found this helpful