Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos

In this book, Michio Kaku, a leading theoretical physicist, discusses the current state of the search for a unified theory to explain everything, from quantum physics to relativity and everything in between. In layman's terms, he discusses the history of string theory and M-Theory, the current form of string theory, and what it all means in terms of the possibilities of alternate universes, time travel, and the origin of the universe. Kaku discusses the possibilities of more than 3 spacial dimensions, as implied by the theory. Kaku goes on to discuss the ultimate fate of the universe: a continual expansion resulting in temperatures too cold to support life, or a crushing implosion resulting in temperatures too hot to support life. Kaku discusses the possibility that M-Theory may increase our understanding of the universe (or multiverse) enough to be able to travel into a different universe, or back in time, before our universe collapses. Kaku ends with a philosophical discussion on our place in the universe and what the point of it all is.

If you have read Kaku's book "Hyperspace", some of this book will be review, as he includes some of the same concepts of extra dimensions in this book.

Kaku explains the science in such a way that the layperson can understand it fairly well. He doesn't go into much mathematical detail; he only explains enough so that the reader understands what the theory means and doesn't get bogged down with all the details. This is what makes Kaku's writing great. His books, such as this one, are written for those who haven't studied physics in depth but who are interested in what is going on in the field of physics and the search to understand the universe.

The bottom line: Kaku is a great resource for the latest developments in theoretical physics and our understanding of the universe.

Definitely, TWO THUMPS UP!!! This is one of the best book for fun read among all books I have ever read for more than thirty years. The topic is a hard-chew, but Michio Kaku made it so soft you can swallow as easily as milk. It is not a surprise why so many complete physics lay persons read this book and all of a sudden became in the know about modern physics. Yes, this book is that great, very easy to read and at the time very thorough! But, more importantly, perhaps most importantly to me, the book is so much fun to read!!! I have read many sci-fi books, but this book is probably much more fun than any sci-fi's that I know. This is why I used to often read this book whenever I got some headache. It gives very fresh refreshment like rural breeze. I do not often recommend a book for a read to friends because they are just different from me in many points. But, for this book I strongly recommend anybody to give it a try. You will never get disappointed for sure.

I haven't read through the entire book yet - I've only gone through and read parts here and there, enough to know I will really enjoy reading this book. I always see this author on television shows regarding the same and simalar subject matters and became interested enough in his commentaries to purchase this book. I have no scientific background and this book seems easy enough to read and comprehend, and that was a big plus in my opinion!
Also, delivery was very prompt and I am very satisfied with this purchase!

Michio Kaku is one of the most significant theoretical physicists of our day, and this is his signature work. Besides providing a basic history of astrophysics knowledge and concepts, Dr. Kaku discusses the possibility of parallel universes, multiple dimensions, and even time travel. Our universe may in fact be an offshoot of another universe, possibly from a (theoretical) white hole. Once regarded as science fiction, many of the concepts Dr. Kaku discusses in this book are increasingly becoming accepted by scientists as plausible facts.

Most of this book will be easily understandable for the average lay person. However, much of the book is spent on string theory. If you don't have at least some education in college level physics, some of this may be difficult to understand (not to mention a little dry). That said, Dr. Kaku does a better job than most in explaining in. All in all, this is an important book explaining some of the most cutting edge theories and concepts in modern physics. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in astronomy or astrophysics.

I am in the midst of reading this right now, and so far am finding it wonderfully accessible in ways that Hyperspace was not. I think Kaku has really found his voice for the lay person with this effort. I seem to be 'getting it' in ways that are very gratifying and rare. I had been rereading Hyperspace when this book arrived. How nice to feel I'm understanding some concepts very clearly!