The Road to Reality: A Complete
Guide to the Laws of the Universe by
Roger Penrose
The Universe In A Hard-To-Crack Nutshell
If Albert Einstein were alive, he would have a copy of The Road to Reality
on his bookshelf. So would Isaac Newton. This may be the most complete
mathematical explanation of the universe yet published, and Roger
Penrose richly deserves the accolades he will receive for it. That said, let
us be perfectly clear: this is not an easy book to read. The number of
people in the world who can understand everything in it could probably
take a taxi together to Penroses next lecture. Still, math-friendly readers
looking for a substantial and possibly even thrillingly difficult intellectual
experience should pick up a copy (carefully--its over a thousand pages
long and weighs nearly 4 pounds) and start at the beginning, where
Penrose sets out his purpose: to describe the search for the underlying
principles that govern the behavior of our universe. Beginning with the
deceptively simple geometry of Pythagoras and the Greeks, Penrose

guides readers through the fundamentals--the incontrovertible bricks that
hold up the fanciful mathematical structures of later chapters. From such
theoretical delights as complex-number calculus, Riemann surfaces, and
Clifford bundles, the tour takes us quickly on to the nature of spacetime.
The bulk of the book is then devoted to quantum physics, cosmological
theories (including Penroses favored ideas about string theory and
universal inflation), and what we know about how the universe is held
together. For physicists, mathematicians, and advanced students, The
Road to Reality is an essential field guide to the universe. For enthusiastic
amateurs, the book is a project to tackle a bit at a time, one with
unimaginable intellectual rewards. --Therese Littleton
Personal Review: The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the
Laws of the Universe by Roger Penrose
Clearly it isn't easy to whisk your way through 1000+ pages of dense
mathematical, graduate level (and above) material. I have managed to
read the first few chapters, with more emphasis on the ones dealing with
differential geometry. From what I saw, most of the subsequent chapters
discussing physical applications are basically a reiteration of similar parts
from the Emperor's New Mind (ENM), so if you have already read this
book, you will see many familiar faces. Make no mistakes, this isn't the
kind of book you read in bed before you sleep! You will probably need a
hard surface, pen and paper. It isn't for the layman either. If you are not
well acquainted with advanced mathematics or physics, you should
probably avoid it. My father has a Bachelor in Physics and had trouble
reading even ENM. I have a PhD in theoretical physics and still I get to
discover many new things in Road to Reality, or see things I already knew
about from a completely new perspective, and also lots of topics I knew
nothing about.
The first half of the book, where the mathematical exposition takes place,
is like ENM on steroids. Penrose stops carrying about losing half of his
readers with every new equation. You will see here mathematical formulas
that you would normally have to fork out $ 100+ on some specialized
textbook to take a look at. So, what makes it any different from a regular
textbook, you would ask? Well, it is the uniquely original and lucid
exposition that makes this book transcend its original designation as
textbook/popular science book hybrid. It becomes the textbook you would
like to have read as a graduate student, but was not around at the time. It
is not written in the usual dry style of mathematical literature that makes
simple things seem arcane. And it includes a multitude of excellent
pictures/artwork, as every good differential geometry book should. The
diagrams and pictures are worth the price of admission alone. Penrose
also succeeds in making his book exciting and engaging. He takes you by
the hand and shows you why the ideas he discusses are interesting and
important. You feel the thrill of discovering new things, of learning and
being proud to be taught. Formulas and jargon are not introduced without
an explanation and motivation, contrary to most textbooks. You are given
the chance to really understand what a Lie and a covariant derivative is,

not just how to calculate one. The chapter on fiber bundles is a poem of
clarity of exposition. It achieves what every good textbook should-giving
you a flavor and letting you craving for more.
As a first impression, this book seems unique, if only for its stimulating,
refreshing and unconventional mathematical first part. If you are already
experienced with differential geometry and general relativity, it is a delight
to read and will provide you with incredible new insight and encyclopedic
knowledge. You can then go on to read more details in standard textbooks.
Graduate students should see it as an excellent complement to their
curriculum.
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