The Hidden Reality

Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos

By: Brian Greene

Narrated by: Brian Greene

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

There was a time when “universe” meant all there is. Everything. Yet, in recent years discoveries in physics and cosmology have led a number of scientists to conclude that our universe may be one among many. With crystal-clear prose and inspired use of analogy, Brian Greene shows how a range of different “multiverse” proposals emerges from theories developed to explain the most refined observations of both subatomic particles and the dark depths of space: a multiverse in which you have an infinite number of doppelgängers, each reading this sentence in a distant universe; a multiverse comprising a vast ocean of bubble universes, of which ours is but one; a multiverse that endlessly cycles through time, or one that might be hovering millimeters away yet remains invisible; another in which every possibility allowed by quantum physics is brought to life. Or, perhaps strangest of all, a multiverse made purely of mathematics.

Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, takes us on a captivating exploration of these parallel worlds and reveals how much of reality’s true nature may be deeply hidden within them.

©2011 Brian Greene (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“If extraterrestrials landed tomorrow and demanded to know what the human mind is capable of accomplishing, we could do worse than to hand them a copy of this book.” (Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review)

“Few living writers write so lucidly about such complicated stuff. In Greene’s prose, cutting-edge cosmology and particle physics become something a plucky and well-rested reader can apprehend...Greene might be the best intermediary I’ve found between the sparkling, absolute zero world of mathematics and the warm, clumsy world of human language.” (Anthony Doerr, Boston Globe)

“Mr. Greene has a gift for elucidating big ideas...Exciting and rewarding...[The Hidden Reality] captures and engages the imagination.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

Black holes become much clearer here

Holograms and low energy string theory stand out here. Multiverses and time, I am still not so sure clear about

Great book

It is an amazing book simple or as simple it can be so its understandable .... But great book

Brilliant and Fascinating

Brian Greene is one of the greats. Not because he understands this stuff, but because he can explain it to those who don't. He reads this audiobook and you can pick up his enthusiasm for the subject. I wish he had read Elegant Universe and Fabric of the Cosmos also. If I win the lottery, I'm heading to Columbia University to take his courses.

Not as Easy Read but Thanks for Writing it!

This is a fascinating explanation of the work of Top End Mathematicians and Physicists in understanding our universes and was a huge eye-opener for me. Although it made me feel quite inadequate in being able understand the fantastic concepts, Brian does a Yoeman's job in trying to bring it down to the layperson's understanding. The problem for me was that it just is not that easy to grasp for someone who thought he had had a scientifically oriented mind. Still, the high level concepts are well outlined and inter-related and it is no detraction on the author that these ideas are difficult to convey. My only suggestion would be for someone other that Brian to have narrated the book. You can tell he is passionate about the subject and it may have been easier to listen to, if a professional narrator delivered it.. Overall I feel thankful that someone tried to open my mind to these unbelievable realities.

Good primer on cosmological physics

What did you love best about The Hidden Reality?

Excellent audiobook. A modern chronological overview of Einstein's universe and the standard model of physics. Also, a strong emphasis upon verifiable data regarding string theory, quantum fields and multiple universe theory.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Black-hole

Any additional comments?

Good audiobook

This guy makes physics so darn interesting!

I loved everything about this audiobook. The author did the reading, and I thought it was excellent, very clear, not too fast or slow. He explains everything in such a down-to-earth way that it is much easier to understand. It was extremely interesting and thorough. It is not one of those books that is pushing an opinion on you, just giving the information and the facts and the theories that are out there, while intelligently evaluating the information we currently have. Loved it and highly recommend! I can’t wait to buy another one of his books.

Engrossing

If you are considering this book, then odds are that you enjoy high-level science concepts translated to the educated lay listener. If that's the case: buy this book. Yes, there are points where the concepts are a bit byzantine and the lines between physics, cosmology, and metaphysics are a little blurry here, but those are aspects of the underlying science and not unique to this one book. I enjoyed it tremendously and will listen to it a second time. Narration is good.

Just Fine--Narration & Text

This book brings you up-to-date on the latest in cosmology theory. The author is clear enough for the non-scientist to follow most of what he's saying, without watering down the
complexities. Also, unless you have some kind of prejudice against people who accentuate the letter "s," you'll have no problem enjoying the author's narration of this book. I think most people will enjoy his reading.

You'll Never Think of the Universe in the Same Way

Brian Greene (The Elegant Universe; The Fabric of the Cosmos) in The Hidden Reality approaches the question of alternative universes. Is our universe the only universe? The short answer for Greene is “no” and readers will be rewarded for reading this book for his longer explanation. Each Chapter considers an alternative approach to understanding the universe; parallel worlds, quilted multiverse, inflationary multiverse, string theory, Brane and Cyclic multiverses, the landscape multivedrse, and the quantum multiverse. For me, the most helpful chapter dealt with string theory. I thought started this book thinking I would have to set it aside pretty quickly, and made it through even string theory. If you have taken on Greene before, this volume was more approachable than the others. Anyone can benefit from a reading of this work. I came away with absolutely nothing that would help me in my everyday life, but very stimulated by the ideas saturating this volume. I hope that Greene will give us more soon. The author's own reading of this book is excellent.

The wow factor

By the end of the 2nd chapter I felt I got my monies worth. I have never read a book that made me think about our existence in the universe in an entirely different way.