Awards

• Commended for IndieFab awards (Philosophy) 2010

Overview

The leading mind behind the mathematics of string theory discusses how geometry explains the universe we see What if you were told that we actually live in a 10-dimensional universe-- that the leading theory of nature posits only 4 out of 10 are accessible to our everyday senses? How do we account for the other 6 dimensions? What do they look like, where are they hiding, and what, if anything at all, do they do? In The Shape of Inner Space, geometer and leading string theorist Shing- Tung Yau unpacks the widely-held belief that these undetected dimensions are tightly curled in elaborate, twisted shapes called ""Calabi-Yau manifolds."" Yau explains that these spaces are so miniscule that humans will probably never see any of them directly. Amazingly, however, this hidden realm may hold the answers to some of the most profound questions we have about our universe. In examining his life's work, Yau emphasises his most important finding: proof of the manifold's mathematical existence. This discovery has been critical in advancing our understanding of geometry and string theory, and, more broadly, physics and the universe. With this acquired knowledge, string theorists can go beyond the concept of the universe that Einstein left us with, and possibly expose some of nature's greatest mysteries. A fascinating exploration of a world we are only just beginning to grasp, The Shape of Inner Space will change the way we think about mathematics, cosmology, and our quest to learn the shape of the inner universe.

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9780465020232

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Reviews

<p> Plus Magazine <br> This book tells the fascinating story of strange geometric objects that have achieved some fame outside of [mathematics] called Calabi-Yau manifolds... The collaboration between a mathematician and a science writer has worked wonders in this book. It's crowded with beautiful metaphors that clarify complex ideas and provide a peek into higher-dimensional worlds... One thing that comes through on every page of this book is the beauty of the [mathematics] and its power to shed light on the secrets of our Universe. If this is the kind of thing that fascinates you, then this is a great book to while away those dark winter evenings. <p>PhysicsWorld.com<br> It is fascinating to see the story of string theory told from a mathematician's point of view rather than that of a physicist... By bravely attempting to explain areas of mathematics that no one has ever tried to relate to the public before, The Shape of Inner Space takes a huge step forward... It will undoubtedly

<p> Philippine Daily Inquirer <br> A journey into the mind of a brilliant mathematician, The Shape of Inner Space will delight readers who are not afraid to use their minds.

Author Information

Shing-Tung Yau has has won many awards including the Fields medal. He is the chair of the mathematics department at Harvard University, and lives in Cambridge, Massachussettes. Steve Nadis is a Contributing Editor to Astronomy Magazine. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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