A tour-de-force of the math and physics behind the fundamental laws of reality. This remarkable book is a captivating blend of science and history. Penrose meticulously traces the evolution of our modern theories, which have been built upon the shoulders of our predecessors. He takes us on a journey that spans from the ancient world to the contemporary era, defined by still-living innovators like himself and Edward Witten.

Although Penrose admits his partiality towards Twistor Theory, he does a commendable job of presenting the rationale behind string theory and loop-variable theory. His illustration of twistor theory is truly compelling, leaving me intrigued about the developments in this field over the past 18 years since the book's publication. At the time of printing, the theory was yet to find a clear path for modelling massive particles.

The world of fundamental physics was a complex and convoluted web of terms before I delved into this book. Now, it has transformed into a clear checklist of follow-up reading and perhaps even some math exercises. The most valuable takeaway from this book is that the path to reality, regardless of its nature, is paved by the unwavering will to investigate and reach clear conclusions. These conclusions must be both falsifiable and verifiable, and applicable to the actual processes that we can measure.

Will there ever be a quantum gravity theory that can explain the deepest mysteries lurking within the core of a black hole singularity or that great singularity known as the Big Bang? This book has inspired me to ponder these questions. Thanks to Penrose's excellent educational writing, I now possess the terminology to make my own musings more lucid and understandable.

To is not an ordinary book; it is a remarkable work by the outstanding professor Sir Roger Penrose, this year's Nobel laureate in physics (2020). When I saw that Wydawnictwo Prószyński i S-ka was introducing this title to our Polish market, I was overjoyed (and there is no exaggeration in this). It is precisely for such bold novelties that I appreciate publishers. Why "bold"? Because this is not a light matter, not a thriller that can be read in one evening, not a mindless entertainment - it is the power of knowledge, the might of information, and a treasure trove of great minds. Everyone who is interested in the world, everyone who loves and values mathematics, physics, cosmology, and the universe in a broad sense - will be delighted.

I won't lie to you and boast that I devoured this over-thousand-page pearl. No! I have been reading it for some time and will still be reading it for a long, long time because, you know, here one needs patience, intense attention, the ability to focus, and the desire to search for, for example, concepts on the Internet that we don't fully understand. Even getting acquainted with one subsection took me a lot of time - but that's great! That's what I wanted! Complete focus on science, on issues that are treated superficially in school and because of which I am now reaping the harvest of ignorance. However, it is never too late for science!

Sir Roger Penrose has gifted the world a compendium of knowledge - I'll put it this way - succinctly. In fact, it is a kind of bible for mathematicians and physicists. If you have such an enthusiast in your family, you MUST buy this book for him. I can't believe that I have such a valuable work on my shelf! This thick volume is one of the most important books in my library and definitely the most precious scientific title I own.

I'll be honest and warn you that this is not easy to read - oh no, no... "The Road to Reality" requires a great effort from us, but the more effort we offer it, the more good it will send us (with a hint). I will definitely write to you about this book on my blog again and trumpet it wherever I can because such knowledge should be shared and cannot be overlooked in the ocean of publishing novelties.

Now let me say a little about what you will find inside - because this is, after all, the most important question. The author gently introduces us to the world of numbers and theories, starting from "The Roots of Science". He emphasizes mathematics - because numbers don't lie and draw us into the real world that, although we observe it daily, we most often don't understand it at all. The book has been masterfully thought out, and Sir Roger reaches back to the very beginnings, to antiquity, to the types of numbers (oh, joy! but there's a ride here - I'm telling you). Of course, I would most willingly have skipped (and wanted to do so) sections like SPACETIME; THE BIG BANG AND ITS THERMODYNAMIC LEGACY; SUPERSYMMETRY, EXTRA DIMENSIONS, AND STRINGS (about which I already know a little) etc., etc. but!!! It's precisely the BUT that it's not that easy and not that HOP SIUP. This book MUST, SHOULD be read in sequence; it requires this from us because otherwise, we won't understand anything and might as well lie down in the meadow and look at the clouds, hoping that gold will start to rain from one of them. I repeat, this is a SCIENTIFIC TITLE, DEMANDING, but WONDERFUL and OUTSTANDING - WORTH its price.

In addition to the text itself, the author has taken care of a large number of illustrations, graphs, and diagrams that explain to us, for example, the phenomenon of entropy, which has always fascinated me and which also concerns black holes! Everything is clear and understandable, but not obvious, which is why it is so demanding. If we have significant gaps in the basics, it will be difficult for us to even get through a page, but if we set ourselves this difficult task, the difficult search for answers - then I GUARANTEE you that you will be satisfied and, more importantly, proud of yourselves. I need such a shot of focus and understanding of the UNIVERSE from time to time - it makes my soul lighter because I know more than the average "Kowalski" - let's not hide it, everyone likes to know more and feel a little wiser, even if only for a moment.

As for the publication itself - I have no objections. The thick cover, of course, the book has its weight (1111 pages is no light matter), but here it is only an advantage. You won't take it on a picnic, but to bed - why not? On one side of the pillow, the book, on the other, the laptop with uncle Google, and we are happy and ready for a great, cosmic adventure.

OUTSTANDING, DEMANDING, EXHAUSTIVE, BEAUTIFUL

The road to understanding

9/10

Wydawnictwo Prószyński i S-ka

This is a truly superb book, but it likely has three main groups of audiences.

First, there are those who are highly mathematically literate. They have a deep understanding of mathematics and can easily follow the complex equations and theories presented in the book.

Second, there are those who wish to become fully mathematically literate in their appreciation of physics. They recognize the importance of mathematics in understanding the physical world and are eager to learn more.

Finally, there are those who are content to enjoy glimpses of beauty within the pages and get the "drift". They may not have a strong mathematical background, but they are still able to appreciate the elegance and wonder of modern physics.

Much has been said about Penrose's great collaborator Stephen Hawking being told that every equation in a book halves the potential sales. However, Roger Penrose has never shied away from including equations and complex mathematical concepts in his work. What he has produced is a beautiful exposition of the study of modern physics, which is nothing less than the study of objective reality.

But make no mistake, this is not an easy read if you want to follow it all. I speak from personal experience as someone who studied theoretical physics modules in the final year of a maths degree and followed up with a PhD in pure maths - topology, which is Penrose's own initial discipline area.

However, for someone who is prepared to sit down with the book over time, with some paper and pen, it can enable a potentially deeply rewarding journey into some beautiful mathematics and concepts. And for others, simply skimming much of the material to see the broad sweep can be rewarding in its own right.

For me, the book is a beautiful insight into a worthy attempt to provide a journey right into the heart of modern thought on physics. It is a must-read for anyone with an interest in mathematics, physics, or the nature of reality.

I convincedly give this work by Penrose a top rating.

Regrettably, due to other urgent tasks that constantly interrupted my attempts, I only completed reading it recently.

To be honest, from Chapter Four onwards, this book is undoubtedly inaccessible to the layman, just like every other book on modern physics.

However, Penrose's book has more to offer. The author presents his fully developed and thoroughly exposed philosophical perspective on reality.

I particularly appreciate the treatment of his philosophical premises and "prejudices" in the First Chapter. Penrose's philosophical and historical approach is definitely original in a physics book, and I would even say it is unique in its wisdom.

Most physics, quantum physics, or relativity books directly delve into the mathematical representations of physical reality, thereby neglecting this initial philosophical step that I consider absolutely essential.

Figure 1.3, which can be seen in the Amazon preview of the book, represents the mysterious relationship between the Physical World, the Mental World, and the Mathematical World (which Penrose calls Platonic). In other words, it shows the relationship between the three different types of existence that we can conceive.

I love this figure because it is very close to our intuition and is deeply related to Kantian aesthetics.

In my opinion, this is just a form of perception of a deeper relationship that ultimately makes the three Worlds a unique entity. This is an intuition that nobody has tried or is trying to prove, nor do I think anyone even cares to.

This book is a must-read for everyone interested in physics and the philosophy of science.

It will completely change and develop your understanding of physics by making you aware that the laws of physics are somehow embedded in the human mind.

I wonder if Penrose intended people to understand the material in this book without outside resources or instruction.

Within just 50 pages of introducing Calculus, he pivots beyond complex analysis.

Regardless of his intention, the book is filled with good intuitions. It seems to be a great guide for understanding Physics.

I skipped around while reading and it definitely made many things much clearer to me. And more or less, it has been a valuable read.

The book's ability to present complex concepts in an intuitive way is quite remarkable.

Even without prior in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, one can gain a better understanding of Physics through this book.

It offers a unique perspective and approach that can enhance one's learning experience.

Whether you are a beginner or have some background in Physics, this book is worth exploring.

It may not provide all the answers, but it certainly opens up new avenues for thinking and understanding.

Overall, it is a great addition to any Physics enthusiast's library.

I did not like the fact that the book is essentially a pop science book yet attempts to introduce the technical aspects of physics. In this regard, it falls short. The author dedicates a chapter to covering a subject that one would typically spend an entire class term on. For instance, he introduces group theory and within just 40 pages, he is already discussing topics that are not covered until graduate-level abstract algebra. He also devotes one chapter to calculus, a subject that usually takes 2 years to learn. I do not recommend this book. If you are interested in a popular science book, it would be better to read works by Brian Greene or Michio Kaku. On the other hand, if you wish to learn these higher-level math topics, it would be advisable to find a set of lectures on YouTube.

[Le pant... le pant...]

[Ok, why is there not a gif of Penelope Cat slamming the door to go with this? I've been searching for 10 minutes.]

Right. I should get about 8 books worth of credit for plowing all the way through this beast.

Ok, so the book seems to set itself the impossible task of being some sort of superficial textbook. I cannot imagine any other reason why Penrose inserted all these damnable little homework problems that the book in no way prepares you to solve.

That said, it definitely accomplished my real goal for reading it, which was to provide me with some mildly detailed sense of what mathematics lies between me and the fringes of known and guessed physics. It also managed to convince me that Penrose has an astoundingly weird sense of what is more and less fundamental in mathematics.

He is a pretty pedestrian writer. I would never read his prose for pleasure, and his goofy little prologue and epilogue passages should have been stricken from the record. Really, though, I can't imagine this book being more than a second draft. When would Roger Penrose have the freaking time to whip this into actual shape? He's, like, writing papers and doing actual research 'n'stuff. This is about the best one could reasonably hope for.

Of course, now that I've read this book and Lee Smolin's The Trouble With Physics, I am clearly going to be burned at the stake as a string theory heretic.

Expanded:
[Le pant... le pant...]

[Ok, seriously, why on earth is there not a gif of Penelope Cat slamming the door that would be perfect to go with this? I've been spending a solid 10 minutes searching high and low for one, but to no avail.]

Right. I truly feel that I should be awarded about 8 books worth of credit for having slogged through this massive tome.

Ok, so it seems that the book has set itself an almost impossible task of trying to be some kind of superficial textbook. I just can't fathom any other reason why Penrose would have inserted all these incredibly annoying little homework problems when the book in no way equips you to solve them.

That being said, it did definitely achieve my actual goal for reading it. Namely, it provided me with a somewhat detailed understanding of what mathematics lies between where I am and the outer fringes of known and hypothesized physics. It also managed to persuade me that Penrose has an astonishingly strange perception of what is more and less fundamental in the field of mathematics.

He is a rather ordinary writer. I would never pick up his prose for the sheer pleasure of reading. And those goofy little prologue and epilogue passages really should have been removed from the book altogether. Seriously, though, I can't envision this book being any more than a second draft. When on earth would Roger Penrose have the time to polish this up into a truly refined work? He's constantly writing papers and engaging in actual research and all that stuff. So, this is about as good as one could realistically expect.

Of course, now that I've read this book and Lee Smolin's The Trouble With Physics, I'm quite certain that I'm going to be burned at the stake as a heretic of string theory.

Sir Roger's work is not just an ordinary book that can be easily flipped through with a single perspective on a subject in physics. Instead, he commences from the very foundations of mathematics, specifically the Pythagorean theorem. From there, he gradually builds up to more complex topics such as general relativity, quantum mechanics, and finally delves into cosmology.

It is a highly comprehensive and technical read that demands careful attention and a certain level of mathematical and scientific knowledge.

The fact that a Nobel prize-winning mathematician and physicist has dedicated his time to presenting his understanding of math and physics in a way that is accessible to all is truly an incredible gift. It allows readers to gain a deeper insight into the fascinating world of science and mathematics, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the universe.

Whether you are a student, a scientist, or simply someone with an interest in these fields, Sir Roger's book is sure to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

I truly appreciated that this book took the math underpinning the laws of reality with great seriousness. In fact, I mean really, really seriously.

However, that's precisely where it started to become more of a shortcoming for me. I'm certain that what it endeavors to do, it does quite well. But with a math background that only reached multivariable calculus during my college days and then never delved into higher math again, I simply wasn't prepared for the discussions on topology and imaginary calculus. And that's not to mention the rest of the book.

Maybe one day, when I have more time on my hands, I'll be able to return to this massive work and give it the proper attention it deserves.

I hope that by then, I'll have brushed up on my math skills and be better equipped to understand and appreciate the profound concepts presented within its pages.

I purchased this book shortly after its release in the mid-2000s. At that time, I was a graduate student majoring in computer science and had a great curiosity about physics, which I still maintain.

The book begins very simply, presenting basic topics such as Pythagoras' theorem and real numbers. However, it progresses at an astonishing pace, and soon we are delving into string theory, supersymmetry, and quantum algebra, among many other complex subjects.

Needless to say, I could only understand the first few chapters.

So, in fact, I really wonder if there are any non-physicists who have actually read it all the way to the end.

Nevertheless, Penrose's ambition is truly admirable. I assume he intended it more as a summary of his own life's work and his general thoughts on what physics should be, rather than as light reading for the airport.

This book's cover blurb makes two rather bold claims.

It states that it "assumes no specialist knowledge on the part of the reader" and that its "purpose is to explain as clearly as possible".

However, both of these claims are so far from the truth that one could argue the publisher might even be sued for misrepresentation.

As several others have pointed out here, the author starts by explaining some simple primary school sums and then suddenly jumps to assuming the reader has at least second year undergraduate maths knowledge.

This abrupt shift makes it extremely difficult for the average reader, who was promised no specialist knowledge would be required, to follow the explanations.

It seems that the book fails to deliver on its promised clarity and accessibility, leaving many readers frustrated and misled.

Perhaps the publisher should have been more careful in vetting the content and ensuring that the claims on the cover were actually supported by the book itself.

I admit that reading "The Road to Reality. The Fundamental Laws of the Universe" by Roger Penrose is not an easy task.

However, if you are interested in the origin and application of the greatest scientific theories of humanity, I recommend this reading.

I don't hide the fact that there is a large component of mathematics in the text, which is not easy to approach if you don't have the necessary main mathematical tools.

Nevertheless, I believe that the book and its divulgation can be appreciated (even if certainly not fully) also by skipping the mathematical calculation parts and limiting oneself to the divulgative and descriptive part.

If you like science and mathematics, you will not be disappointed by the explanations received from an outstanding master.

However, if you are only interested in a general sprinkling on some theories that arouse your curiosity (black holes, relativity, string theory), sufficient to chat with a non-specialist, I recommend that you orient yourself towards other more divulgative readings.