Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
42(42%)
4 stars
31(31%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews
July 14,2025
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The adventure finally came to an end.

And if I had corrected that itself, I would have been proud of myself.

Looking back on this adventure, there were many challenges and difficulties along the way. But I didn't give up and kept going forward bravely.

Although there were some mistakes and shortcomings, I also learned a lot from them.

This adventure has not only enriched my experience but also made me grow stronger.

In the future, I will continue to face various challenges with a positive attitude and keep moving forward towards my goals.

I believe that as long as I work hard and persevere, I will be able to achieve my dreams and become a better person.
July 14,2025
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This is a remarkable book that I will undoubtedly return to on numerous occasions to review specific points.

It offers a comprehensive overview of a significant portion of physics, unafraid to delve into the intricate mathematical details. At the same time, it is honest and realistic about the limitations present in the current approaches to physics.

Even if you struggle to follow some of the mathematics, if you persist, you will be rewarded with a good understanding of many cutting-edge areas of research in theoretical physics. Moreover, you will discover numerous starting points from which to embark on further study.

This book serves as an invaluable resource for both students and enthusiasts of physics, providing a solid foundation and inspiring further exploration into the fascinating world of physics.
July 14,2025
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I truly loathe having to abandon a book, yet this particular one has proven to be beyond my comprehension.

I lack a formal background in mathematics or physics, although I have been delving into these subjects extensively as of late and would consider myself to be at a somewhat intermediate skill level.

Penrose is undoubtedly a brilliant mind, but this book seems to be inaccessible to anyone without a PhD in Mathematics.

There is a common adage that texts that are difficult to understand are often so because the author fails to communicate their ideas effectively.

While Penrose clearly knows what he is discussing, I don't believe he explains it in a very lucid manner.

On numerous occasions while reading this book, I would resort to pulling up the Wikipedia page related to whatever theorem Penrose was expounding upon and found it to be much more straightforward to understand.

The fact that these concepts can be relatively easily grasped through other immediate sources of information leads me to believe that Penrose is at fault here.

For instance, his chapter on complex number integration is a topic that can be fairly easily understood through other sources but is completely incomprehensible when presented by Penrose.

Although I commend Penrose for writing for a more educated audience than the general public, chapters like these (and there are quite a few) suggest to me that the readability issues stem less from the inherent difficulty of the subject matter and more from Penrose's conveyance of the information.

I came across another review that stated this book is excellent as a sort of reference on various subjects - rather than reading what Penrose has to say, it is advisable to read the works he cites for each area of interest.

This might not be a bad approach after all.

July 14,2025
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I have a profound admiration for his meticulous approach of systematically documenting mathematical knowledge. Not only does he present it in a logical sequence based on complexity, but also from a historical perspective. This time, I have only managed to progress approximately one-fourth of the way through the book. Its format bears a resemblance to that of his "The Emperor's New Mind", which I read several years ago and derived great pleasure from.

This method of documenting mathematical knowledge is truly remarkable. It allows readers to not only understand the concepts in a structured manner but also gain insights into their historical development. By following the logical progression of complexity, one can build a solid foundation and gradually expand their understanding.

The similarity in format between this book and "The Emperor's New Mind" is also a plus. It gives a sense of familiarity and continuity, making it easier for readers who have already read the previous work to engage with the new one. Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying this book and look forward to delving deeper into its contents.
July 14,2025
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It truly pains me to award only four stars because, to be completely honest, I have a genuine love for this book. However, it does possess certain flaws. For example, it could definitely benefit from having a glossary. The first time I picked up this book several years ago, I faced significant difficulties, although I must admit that I was much younger at that time.


So, first and foremost, I would wholeheartedly recommend reading 'The Theoretical Minimum' series, along with 'A Very Gentle Guide to General Relativity' and 'e, story of a number'. It would also be advisable to read something about gauges and groups, and it certainly wouldn't do any harm to read a book discussing Riemann. After delving into these, coming back to this book makes it seem a lot less dense. It is simply much easier to read a book when you are already familiar with some of the vocabulary and don't have to struggle through new language on every single page, especially a long book like this one.


Furthermore, if you have previously encountered certain concepts, it can be easier to get through the book by simply skipping to the sections that you find most interesting and then going back to the previous sections for a quick refresher.


It is truly refreshing to come across a book that doesn't simplify things to the point of being dumbed down, but is also holistic in nature. This means that if you are seeking an overview, you have just that - an overview. I have a strong feeling that this will be one of the few books that I will actually re-read.

July 14,2025
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Penrose is truly a master in his field.

The text he has created is remarkable as it contains exercises that span a wide spectrum. Starting from simple expositions, it gradually progresses to those that demand weeks of intense and serious thought.

If you are a student of physics, this text is an absolute treasure. It casts the widest net possible, guiding you through all the essential mathematics and physics. You will become intimately familiar with these concepts through connections and expositions that are extremely rare to find in a single course.

It offers a comprehensive and in-depth learning experience that is bound to enhance your understanding and knowledge in the field of physics.
July 14,2025
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- This article delves into the realm of theoretical physics, presenting a detailed account of concepts like general relativity and the standard model, along with all the underlying mathematics. However, it can be a bit too mathematical and challenging to read, especially for those who are not actively engaged in studying theoretical physics.


- While it does a great job of covering the subject matter in depth, it could have dedicated more time to providing intuitive explanations. Nevertheless, there are some nice philosophical parts that add an interesting dimension to the discussion.


- Additionally, the article explores possibilities for a theory of everything, such as String theory and Loop quantum gravity. For a more intuitive understanding of physics, the author recommends several YouTube channels, including ScienceClic English, PBS Space Time, and Arvin Ash.

July 14,2025
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Pero es el peor libro científico que he leído.

El estilo de escritura es extremadamente pesado y carece por completo de fluidez. Las explicaciones que se ofrecen son sumamente complejas y resultan prácticamente inaccesibles para el lector.

He tenido la oportunidad de leer numerosos otros libros sobre temas similares, y la diferencia es abismal. No cabe ninguna comparación. Este libro es, sin duda alguna, un verdadero horror.

Es muy decepcionante, ya que se esperaba que un libro científico presentara una información clara y comprensible. Sin embargo, en este caso, la falta de calidad en el estilo de escritura y en las explicaciones hace que sea un libro muy difícil de leer y de aprovechar.

Espero que en el futuro, los autores de libros científicos tengan en cuenta la importancia de presentar la información de manera clara y atractiva, para que los lectores puedan disfrutar y aprender al mismo tiempo.
July 14,2025
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There are books that teach. There are books that challenge.

And then there is The Road to Reality. It is a book of such vastness and such unwavering pursuit of truth that it doesn't merely explain the universe; it reconstructs it from pure mathematics.

Roger Penrose isn't writing for students. He is writing for those brave souls who are willing to stand at the event horizon of human knowledge and gaze directly into the abyss. Every page of this book is an ascent, or rather, an acceleration, towards the deepest structural layers of existence itself.

This is not a popular science book. It's not an introduction. It is a mathematical gauntlet, a systematic deconstruction of the equations that govern reality.

Quantum mechanics? Explained from first principles.

Relativity? Not just conceptualized but derived from differential geometry.

Black holes, wave functions, and spacetime curvature? Formulated rigorously and relentlessly in pure mathematical notation.

The very nature of consciousness itself? Explored within the framework of physical law.

Penrose doesn't slow down. There are no simplifications, no shortcuts, no hand-holding. The book assumes nothing, not because it's inaccessible, but because it's designed to force the reader into full cognitive engagement with reality itself.

The deeper you go, the more you start to feel the shift, the realization that mathematics isn't just a tool for describing reality; it is reality. At some point, the symbols and tensors, the Lie groups and Hilbert spaces, stop being abstract concepts and become the language of existence itself.

By the time you reach the final chapters, where Penrose presents his own revolutionary theories on twistor space and the fundamental nature of physics, you are not the same reader who began this journey. You have glimpsed the source code of the cosmos.

This is not just a book. It is the blueprint of reality. It is the final book, the one that leaves all others behind.

For those who seek the true structure of the universe, this is the last road.
July 14,2025
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This book is way above my head.

I'm gonna shelve it for a while and probably be back to it after some more readings in math.

It is certainly not a layman's book, especially if you want to really understand the implications of Penrose's ideas.

I have an engineering degree, and yet, from the second chapter on, I was sweating!

The complexity and depth of the concepts presented in this book are truly mind-boggling. It requires a solid foundation in mathematics and a great deal of mental effort to even begin to grasp its contents. I found myself struggling to keep up with the author's train of thought, especially as the chapters progressed. However, I am determined to come back to this book and give it another try. I believe that with more study and practice in math, I will be better equipped to understand and appreciate the ideas presented by Penrose. This book is a challenging but rewarding read, and I look forward to the day when I can finally say that I have truly understood it.
July 14,2025
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This was an truly awesome tome.

It delves into a vast amount of mathematics to uncover the rules that underlie the Universe. As a result, it can be quite complex in certain areas.

The main chapter headings are as follows:

1. The roots of science

2. An ancient theorem and a modern question

3. Kinds of number in the physical world

4. Magical complex numbers

5. Geometry of logarithms, powers and roots

6. Real-number Calculus

7. Complex-number Calculus

8. Riemann Surfaces and Complex Mappings

9. Fourier Decomposition and Hyperfunctions

10. Surfaces

11. Hypercomplex Numbers

12. Manifolds of n dimensions

13. Symmetry Groups

14. Calculus on Manifolds

15. Fibre Bundles and Gauge Connections

16. The Ladder of Infinity

17. Spacetime

18. Minkowskian Geometry

19. The Classical Fields of Maxwell and Einstein

20. Lagrangians and Hamiltonians

21. The Quantum Particle

22. Quantum Algebra, Geometry and Spin

23. The Entangled Quantum World

24. Dirac's Electron and Antiparticles

25. The Standard Model of Particle Physics

26. Quantum Field Theory

27. The Big Bang and its Thermodynamic Legacy

28. Speculative Theories of the Early Universe

29. The Measurement Paradox

30. Gravity's Role in Quantum State Reduction

31. Supersymmetry, Supra-extradimensionality and Strings

32. Einstein's Narrower Path; Loop Variables

33. More Radical Perspectives; Twistor Theory

34. Where Lies the Road to Reality?

It begins with the basics and within a few hundred pages, it explores Minkowski Space and quaternions. It is incredibly fascinating, yet it is not a book to be read casually. It requires a great deal of attention. Personally, I would love to own a copy, but I'm not sure if it's necessary. I also appreciate how the author explains the notation used at the beginning of the book.

This book offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the mathematical and physical concepts that shape our understanding of the Universe.
July 14,2025
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If I could rate The Road to Reality 6/5, I would.

This book isn't just a masterpiece; it's a mind-expanding journey that changed my life.

Penrose's ability to map out the fundamental concepts of the universe, skillfully weaving mathematics and physics together, is nothing short of genius.

Before delving into this book, I firmly believed that physics was a realm exclusively for the incredibly intelligent, a world that I could only admire from a distance but never truly enter.

However, this book shattered that misconception.

Penrose's clear and insightful explanations, along with his remarkable ability to demystify even the most complex ideas, opened doors that I had never dreamed of walking through.

What truly sets this book apart is its remarkable accessibility.

Although it is undeniably challenging in certain parts, Penrose's passion and profound depth of understanding shine through every single page.

This makes even the most abstract topics feel tangible and exciting.

It serves as a guide, a map, and a source of endless inspiration for anyone who is curious about the nature of reality.

The Road to Reality is the very book that led me to fall head over heels in love with physics.

It revealed to me that the universe's secrets aren't locked away behind insurmountable barriers; they are patiently waiting for those brave enough to take the plunge and try.

Life-changing, eye-opening, and awe-inspiring, this book isn't just a mere read; it's an unforgettable experience.

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