Endorsements for:
Symmetry and the Beautiful Universe
“If there is one principle that has guided the spectacular advances in our understanding of the cosmos during the last hundred years, it is the concept of symmetry. In Symmetry and the Beautiful Universe, Leon Lederman and Chris Hill have captured the essence of this simple yet profound concept and conveyed its wonders with art and precision. In accessible and entertaining language, the authors provide readers with a crystal-clear window to physics’ most refined theories, allowing us all to appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of the universe.”
—Brian Greene, Author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos; Professor of Physics, Columbia University
“Symmetry is the way in to understanding the world; symmetry is part of beauty. Lederman and Hill, the most skillful of guides, show us the multitude of ways in which the physical world is shaped by symmetry. They take us on a lively tour of our subtle symmetric (and understandably asymmetric) world, from planets to quarks. In Lederman and Hill’s book we are led masterfully to an appreciation of the crucial role of symmetry in this world.”
—Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Laureate; Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University
“An enigma of twentieth-century physics is the question of symmetry as a guiding principle of nature. Did nature start with the idea of symmetry, or is it an accidental consequence? Is symmetry, with its aesthetic appeal, a fundamental principle? In this penetrating and lucid book the authors, both top physicists, take on symmetry as a basic principle. They succeed in a marvelous way, and consequently this book is a must for the serious student of nature.”
—Martinus Veltman, Nobel Laureate; Author of Facts and Mysteries in Elementary Particle Physics
“Formidable as a snow-covered peak, the concept of symmetry looms as a central challenge to all those who would understand modern physics. In this delightful but instructive book, Leon Lederman and Christopher Hill have rendered the great service of making this concept accessible to lay readers.”
—J. Madeleine Nash, Author of El Nino: Unlocking the Secrets of the Master Weather-Maker
“Like many people I have been intrigued with symmetry in the natural and designed world. In this enjoyable and insightful book Leon Lederman and Christopher Hill weave a masterful tapestry as they reveal the depth and breadth of symmetry. Whether a physicist, mathematician, poet, or artist, you will view the world differently after reading Symmetry and the Beautiful Universe.”
—Rodger W. Bybee, Executive Director, Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Symmetry’s significance for the scientific understanding of nature has never before been captured so completely. Leon Lederman and Chris Hill pluck one of the deepest concepts of science from its technical trappings and present it elegantly and clearly, exploring its relevance to everyday life and the depths of the underlying science. Symmetry is a grand guide to modern physics and a tribute to the power of beauty to reveal truth.”
—Tom Siegfried, Science Editor, Dallas Morning News; Author of Strange Matters
“From quarks to the cosmos, symmetry shapes the natural world. Hill and Lederman have written a delightful and readable book for anyone curious about how the simple and elegant concept of symmetry has profound implications for the design of the universe.”
—Rocky Kolb, Cosmologist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Author of Blind Watchers of the Sky
“Using symmetry as their principal guide, Lederman and Hill take readers on an enlightening tour of modern physics and cosmology. This is a valuable and much-needed perspective.”
—Michael Riordan, Author of The Hunting of the Quark
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