THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE: SUPERSTRINGS, HIDDEN DIMENSIONS, AND THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE THEORY

By Brian Greene

Reviewed by Elliot Fox ’08, November 2006. Find this book in the SEHS Library: 539.7 GRE

The Elegant Universe describes the quest for a "unifying theory" in physics, one that would combine the four forces of nature (weak nuclear forces, strong nuclear forces, electromagnetism, and gravity) into one interconnected relationship. It would resemble characteristics of two past theories, General Relativity, Einstein's theory that space and time relate in the gravitational curvature of galaxies, and Quantum Mechanics, a series of laws concerning subatomic particles and involving very much irregular behavior of these particles. The book describes the String Theory, the possible unifying theory that scientists are researching presently. This book is great for someone who is interested in physics or interested in learning more about a monumental progression in the science world. There are many interesting facts to learn about the relationship of space and time, along with the behavior of the particles that make us up. This book simplifies complicated physics using understandable examples. There is also a PBS movie to go along with the book.

THE GREAT GAME: THE STRUGGLE FOR EMPIRE IN CENTRAL ASIA

By Peter Hopkirk

Reviewed by Pietro Shakarian ’08, November 2006. Find this book in the SEHS Library: 320.958 HOP.

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are six nations that form a vast geographic region known as Central Asia. The two thousand mile area of scorching deserts and treacherous mountain peaks was virtually unmapped and unknown by Europe in the 19th century. The British Empire and Tsarist Russia both had plans to dominate the region and ultimately both would find themselves locked in a rivalry and strategic conflict. Ultimately, the conflict became known as the "Great Game," a name by British intelligence officer Arthur Connolly before he was beheaded in Bukhara for spying in 1842 and later popularized by novelist Rudyard Kipling. Peter Hopkirk's book The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia captures the essence of this great struggle from beginning to end in such a fashion that makes this book a must read.

WHY BUFFALO DANCE

By Susan Chernak McElroy

Reviewed by Benjamin Szweda ’08, November 2006. Find this book in the SEHS Library: 204.32 MCE

Have you ever felt somewhere deep inside of you that there are life lessons to be learned by watching animals, plants and the elements of nature? Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Why Buffalo Dance, feels that, “No other aspect of creation speaks to us as urgently or compassionately about the necessity to live life with fullness and integrity as the song...of [the seasons].”

Divided into four parts, each representing a season, this book is a compilation of stories that share McElroy’s real life experiences. She observes and learns from animals and nature and their interactions with each other. She then passes those lessons on to her readers.

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