Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimens ion | 
 enlarge | Author: Michio Kaku
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Rating:  210 reviews
Sales Rank: 19312
Media: Paperback
Pages: 359
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0385477058
Dewey Decimal Number: 530.142
EAN: 9780385477055
Publication Date: February 1, 1995
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Amazon.com
How many dimensions do you live in? Three? Maybe that's all your commonsense sense perception perceives, but there is growing and compelling evidence to suggest that we actually live in a universe of ten real dimensions. Kaku has written an extraordinarily lucid and thought-provoking exploration of the theoretical and empirical bases of a ten-dimensional universe and even goes so far as to discuss possible practical implications--such as being able to escape the collapse of the universe. Yikes. Highly Recommended.
Product Description
The first book-length exploration of the most exciting development in modern physics, the theory of 10-dimensional space. The theory of hyperspace, which Michio Kaku pioneered, may be the leading candidate for the Theory of Everything that Einstein spent the remaining years of his life searching for.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 205 more reviews...
 Time machines and parallel universes! June 10, 2002
Dave Schwinghammer (Little Falls, Minnesota USA)
9 out of 17 found this review helpful
Kaku and his fellow theoretical physicists appear to have done what Einstein was unable to do in the last twenty years of his life. Einstein was looking for the Theory of Everything that would make quantum theory jive with his theories of the macro universe. A ten dimensional universe makes the mathematical formulas work. In Hyperspace, the laws of gravity and light merge. Light can be explained as vibrations (or strings) in the fifth dimension. Kaku uses graphics to illustrate the "logic" of a ten dimensional universe. In a two dimensional universe, or flatland as Kaku calls it, a figure is in jail. Escape is impossible. However, a three dimensional person can reach down and whisk the flatlander out of there into the third dimension. To a hypothetical jailer the flatlander appears to have disappeared. Kaku's string theory maintains that following the Big Bang the dimensions split off into the four we know of and the other six that are too small to see.
So then, what are the implications of a ten dimensional universe? According to Kaku, space can be stretched until it rips or tears, providing a tunnel through space and time. And, voila, we have time travel and access to parallel universes. Think this is foolish speculation? Not if the physicists at the California Institute of Technology have any credibility. They've considered building a time machine, consisting of a wormhole that connects the past with the future. Of course this would require an energy source far beyond our limitations, but all we have to do is look at the past two hundred years for a model. Isaac Newton gave us the laws governing machines, leading to the Industrial Revolution. James Clark Maxwell gave us the fundamental laws of the electromagnetic force, ushering in radio, the telephone, the computer, lasers. In the 1940s when the nuclear forces were tamed we were confronted with the atomic and hydrogen bombs. Any civilization that masters hyperspace theory will become lord of the universe.
Not only does Kaku simplify complicated science for the layman, but he also makes you feel optimistic about the future. Try Michio Kaku's new book VISIONS, in which he talks about conquering aging in the twenty-first century, DNA computers, and fusion engines that may take us to the stars. Not since Carl Sagan have I found a scientist this easy to read.
A jouney into higher dimensional reality January 2, 2001
David J. Kreiter (Iowa City, Iowa USA)
30 out of 33 found this review helpful
Though it is impossible to visualize higher dimensions and difficult for most of us to understand the equations involved in this technical field, Michio Kaku, who has become the "Carl Sagan" of our time, does an excellent job of helping lay readers comprehend hyperspace. The concept of higher dimensions, which was formerly introduced in 1854 by Geog Riemann, was not taken seriously because it was an untestable theory and lost credibility upon the introduction of quantum theory in the early twentieth century. Reinman believed that the forces of nature such as electricity, magnetism, and gravity were just effects caused by the crumpling or warping of hyperspace, an idea that Albert Eisntein revived in his theory of general relativity. In this comprehensive and often humouous work, Kaku takes the reader from the fictional characters of Charles Hinton to Relativity and String theories; both of which have revived interest in higher dimensional reality. If you thought, like me, that you could never come close to understanding the concepts of hyperspace, this book will surely bring you within reach of this understanding, while providing a sound background in the history and development of higher dimensions.
A Wealth of Scientific Knowledge January 4, 2004
Anthony Pultrone (Marlton, NJ USA)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
When I bought this book, I expected to read a book that focused on cosmology, quantum theory, relativity, and the like. What I found was a treasure trove of scientific history, facts, and knowledge. Michio Kaku is a venerable walking encyclopedia of science! I was thrilled with the immense diversity and breadth of scientific discussions and information presented in this book. Kaku covers cosmology, quantum theory, superstring theory, relativity, mathematics, the extinction of the dinosaurs, wormholes and blackholes, time travel, numerous scientific and mathematical achievements and achievers, and a plethora of related (and, sometimes, seemingly unrelated) topics! This book is written in terms even readers with a very basic, fundamental knowledge of math and science can understand. It is not a difficult read; it is entertaining, informative, interesting, and lively. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has even the remotest interest in any branch of mathematics or physics.
Beyond Space and Time: A Hyperspace Odyssey February 22, 2004
Stephen Pletko (London, Ontario, Canada)
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
+++++
This book, as author Dr. Michio Kaku says, "is about a scientific revolution created by the theory of hyperspace, which states that dimensions exist beyond the commonly accepted four of space and time." As a result, Kaku explores the world of geometry and space-time--that is, he explores the invisible universe.
This book makes accessible to the general but intelligent reader the fascinating research on hyperspace theory.
Scientifically, the hyperspace theory goes by other names such as Kaluza-Klein theory and supergravity. But in its most advanced form, it's called superstring theory. This theory predicts the precise number of dimensions: ten.
This book, which has a main narrative of about 330 pages, is divided into four parts:
Part one (four chapters) develops the early history of hyperspace (which began in the mid-1800s), emphasizing the theme that the laws of nature become simpler when expressed in higher dimensions. For example, in space-time, the laws of gravity and electromagnetic radiation (such as light) each obey a different physics and a different mathematics. However, if a fifth dimension is added to the space-time continuum, then the equations "governing light and gravity appear to merge together like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle."
The main conclusion of this part is that space-time is inadequate or "too small" to describe the forces that shape our universe. When expressed in higher dimensions, however, there is "enough room" to explain these forces.
The second part (five chapters) elaborates on part one's conclusion emphasizing that the hyperspace theory may be able to unify the four fundamental physical forces of nature (as well as their collection of subatomic particles) into one major theory (the so-called "Theory of Everything"), a unification that Einstein was unable to achieve.
Hyperspace theory suggests the possibility that everything we see around us (such as trees, mountains, and stars) is nothing but vibrations. "If this is true, then this gives us an elegant, simple, and geometric means of providing a coherent and compelling description of the entire universe."
Part three (three chapters) explores the possibility that, under extreme circumstances, space may be stretched until it rips and tears. From this, we get the concept of "wormholes" or tunnels that link distant parts of space and time. Thus, time travel via time machines that exploit these tunnels may be possible.
Cosmologists have proposed the possibility that our universe is only one among an infinite number of parallel universes. By analyzing Einstein's equations, they have shown that there might exist a web of wormholes that connect these universes.
Although theoretical, hyperspace travel may eventually provide the most practical application of all: to save intelligent life, including ours, from the death of the universe by collapse. In the last seconds of our universe's death, intelligent life may escape this collapse by going into hyperspace.
The last part (three chapters) concludes with a final, practical question: If hyperspace theory is proven to be correct, then when will we be able to harness its power? Answer: when our civilization develops the technical capability that enables us to harness the immense energy required for manipulating space-time or hope for contact with an advanced technical civilization that has already mastered hyperspace. (Included in this book is a good discussion on extraterrestrial civilizations.)
In the meantime, we can calculate the precise energy needed to create a "time-warp" (where space and time are twisted into a "pretzel") or to create wormholes that link distant parts of our universe. This book ends by speculating on the level of technology that's needed for us to perform these feats, a technology that will make us "masters of hyperspace."
This is a history book, a storybook (that contains both true and hypothetical stories), a physics book, a mathematics book, and a book of scientific speculation. All physics and mathematics is explained by analogy and with good diagrams. This book as a whole is enjoyable to read but I found it necessary to slow down sometimes to grasp some major concepts.
The only prerequisite needed to read this book, in my opinion, is the ability to visualize and to have an appreciation for the power of physics and mathematics.
Finally, I recognize that some theories presented in this book have advanced since its 1994 publication but I feel that this book is an excellent starting point to become familiar with key concepts that are needed to understand more advanced topics.
In conclusion, Kaku's final words in the book are as follows: "Some people seek meaning in life through personal gain, through personal relationships, or through personal experiences. However, it seems to me that being blessed with the intellect to [understand] the ultimate secrets of nature gives meaning in life." This book exposes some of those "secrets of nature" and makes them understandable. Thus I urge you to go beyond space-time and experience the hyperspace odyssey.
+++++
Amazing Space Capsule Exploration of the Universe February 4, 2005
Erika Borsos (Gulf Coast of FL, USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Art Bell interviewed eminent physicist Dr. Michio Kaku on his night time talk show Coast to Coast AM (still on the air but hosted by George Noory). He explained theories of the universe in a rational manner which made complex theories come alive in this listener's imagination. He provided descriptions that were palatable to a lay audience. He even entertained answering questions on the air. This taste led me to buy the book. Mankind has contemplated his or her place in the cosmos and exploring "what lies beyond " or "how the universe functions" since time immemorial. This book provides explanations to enhance the understanding many people seek ...
The most fascinating and intriguing concept in the book refers to
the ten dimensions of hyperspace. Basic explanations are given for the strong force, weak force, gravitational force, electromagnetic force but the magic in this book lies in the descriptions of the quest for "unified theory" which will explain the operation of the universe in one single equation to the satisfaction of every theorist. The new geometry first conceived by George Bernard Reimann in 1854 was the most important mathematical conceptual discovery heading toward solving this puzzle. This mathematician first revealed an equation for the fourth dimension. This revolutionary equation created the geometric patterns possible to explain the existence of higher dimensions in the universe. Space travel, multiple dimensions, parallel universes, superstring theory, black holes, time warps, and paradoxes are described with lucidity in this book. The "Big Bang" theory is compared to the Biblical explanation. Anyone who has been mesmerized by viewing stars at night and wondered what lies beyond, will benefit from reading this book. The book is now over 10 years old but holds valuable ideas for readers interested in this complex subject. Other recommended books are "The Tao of Physics" by Fritjof Capra and "Dancing of the Wu Li Masters" by Gary Zukov. After listening to Dr. Michio Kaku I was hooked on learning more theories which explain the universe. His book is a great start on this quest. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
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