Michio Kaku tries to explain higher dimensions, first analyzing the history of higher dimensions of space and the struggle to unite quantum mechanics and general relativity in one theory. He then goes on to detail theories concerning the 2-D world, named "Flatland". The end of the book discusses such topics as wormholes, parallel universes and the fate of the universe.
Contents
Part I Entering the Fifth Dimension
Worlds Beyond Space and Time
Mathematicians and Mystics
The Man Who "Saw" the Fourth Dimension
The Secret of Light: Vibrations in the Fifth Dimension
Part II Unification in Ten Dimensions
Quantum Heresy
Einstein's Revenge
Superstrings
Signals from the Tenth Dimension
Before Creation
Part III Wormholes: Gateways to Another Universe?
Black Holes and Parallel Universes
To Build a Time Machine
Colliding Universes
Part IV Masters of Hyperspace
Beyond the Future.
The Fate of Universe
Conclusion further
Reception
A 1994 review for the Los Angeles Times noted that the book is not written for physicists, but for the "lay people excited by the possibilities" of their discoveries, and that for them, it is a good fit.[1]
Reviewing the book for The Observatory in 1996, Ian Crawford was quite negative; noting that he "was disappointed with this book". He criticized "low level of basic scholarship" visible in poor referencing standards, occasional if minor errors, and unwarranted "sweeping generalizations". He also noted that while the book author is acknowledged to be an expert on superstrings, he found the book discussion of this concept quite lacking.[2]
A 2004 review in SF Signal praised the book for engaging, educational writing on an interesting topic, diluted by irrelevant biographical passages.[3]
Michael Starks reviewing the book in 2016 was also more positive, calling it "a lovely book full of fascinating info on the evolution of physics and cosmology".[4]
^Michael, Starks (2016), Starks, Michael (ed.), "Review of Hyperspace by Michio Kaku (1994)", Suicidal Utopian Delusions in the 21st Century: Philosophy, Human Nature and the Collapse of Civilization– Articles and Reviews 2006-2017 2nd Edition Feb 2018, Michael Starks, pp. 620–626, retrieved 2021-11-05