Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel

Surprisingly entertaining, provocative book; great for sci-fi enthusiasts as well as anyone interested in what the future may have in store.

This is an entertaining read. Although Mr. Kaku is a quantum physicist, he is able to communicate the relevant concepts very clearly, avoiding most of the jargon and esoterica that someone of his background usually produces (S. Hawking, et al.) . As someone who likes to think that the impossible is not, this title jumped out and grabbed me.

I believe that whatever man can imagine, he can create. If not now, then sometime. Obviously, Kaku believes this too. But he has the chops to back up his analysis, whereas all I can do is dream.

So, a book like this really hits the spot for me. But I also think the skeptics would find this a worthwhile read, if only for the fun of trying to poke holes in the analysis. I'd wager this will be harder than they think.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Wondrous Possibilities!

In 300+ pages the author walks the reader through the state-of-the-art of physics theory. And does it with wit and literary verve, without technical jargon or mathematical formulae (except for E=MC2, which most of us are aware of even if we don't understand it through and through).

Kaku himself is an authority and has personal access to the many others he interviewed for this book. That he can make his material so compelling, clear, and even entertaining is amazing.

That said, neophytes (myself included) should not expect a quick, light read. Well worth a bit of time and patience.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Scientific Masterpiece

Physics of The Impossible is a fascinating book that dives into the "impossible realms" of the physics world. The book is divided up into Class I, Class II, and Class III impossibilities. Topics include force fields, invisibility, teleportation, time travel, precognition and everything inbetween. The message in this book is that there is no such thing as "impossible". Even the most far-fetched ideas may one day become a reality, and change the course of humanity. The technologies of today were once thought to be impossible. "Radio has no future. Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible. X-rays will prove to be a hoax." - Physicist Lord Kelvin, 1899. I recommend this book to people who have a strong interest in the physics. This book is written for advanced high school students and up. I highly recommend for other people to read this book, as it opens up a whole new light to the possibilities of the future to come. This book offers a different way of looking at the world. All of the concepts described in the book are connected to the past, present, and future. I liked that the topics discussed were relevant to me in my life, however, what I didn't like that some of the ideas were repeated more than necessary. Overall, the book was very well written. I would recommend other works by Michio Kaku, as he is a fantastic writer in this scientific field. Other works of his include Hyperspace, Parallel Worlds, Visions, and Beyond Einstein.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE!

Dr. Kaku, and another great book! After reading his book, PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE, It really made me see how advanced the world of today is, yet how much longer there is until the things in this book become a reality. Like the Super conductors at room temperature, or the teleportation methods, or even Time travel! Its all a mystery right now, but in the very near future even 5 years from now, it can all become a reality. In his book, He makes sure that not only Physics experts could read his book, But even the average reader like myself. Kaku Brings up many refrences to star trek showing that he is a star treck fan, yet in star treck every single thing that he describes in his book is a reality. From invisibility, to force fields, to warp-speed, He explains how this is possible, and the latest news upon these subjects. Kaku is a great writer, and can really hook the reader, onto the subject. Every chapter talks about something new, so that its not just a repetitive book. He is a great writer, and keeps what he talking about, every now and again mentioning star treck, and how in star treck they use what ever he's talking about (mostly force fields). He talks about how it could improve the everyday life of the human civilization, and greatly make the world of tomorrow today. Its a recomended book for any one who likes sci-fi, yet has a feel for physics. It covers what most Sci-Fi movies/Books contain, Yet Has an understanding of physics, so its not just a book talking about who knows what, but it has a purpose, and meaning.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Michio Kaku is no cuckoo

Dr. Kaku strikes again with Physics of The Impossible. After reading his book, Hyperspace, I decided to sit down with this one, which had been picking at my interest for a while. As usual, it didn't disappoint.
>>The author takes a slightly different approach from his other works, focusing specifically on science fiction! The comprehensible method he uses in each chapter allows the reader to easily transition from what was fictionalized, to what professional research has theorized to be just as good, and finally ends with his opinion of the feasibility and time-line of it all. Personally, I believe it was the best way to go about writing it.
>>He spares no concepts that he finds relevant and the topics he discusses will stir images in your mind of fantastic sizes, speeds, strengths, and sheer cleverness of engineering. His subtle explanations can make you to think past what outstanding ideas he just proposed and, after a short delay, you'll drop the book in your lap and think, Holy cow. Yeah, that COULD work!
>>From Star Wars and Star Trek, to Isaac Asimov and beyond, Michio Kaku explains how far we have come in our understanding (along with a rough quantification of how far we have to go) to reaching our dreams of the once-thought-to-be impossible.
>>Personally, I am biased toward Kaku's ability to write, I enjoy his descriptions and explanations, not to mention his wearily optimistic approach to the future. But what I can say for certain is Michio Kaku is an inspiration for creative thinkers to follow their dreams. We are moving into an age where impossibilities in nature are meeting the ingenuity of human technology, the outcome of which is eerily mind boggling.
>>If you're a fan of his previous works and are unsure of how this piece is, I'll say that while it isn't the most earth-shattering thing he's produced, it is certainly a colorful icing on the cake of his other works.
>>Physics of The Impossible should be in the personal library of anyone who wants another beautiful escape from reality, directed by none other than Michio Kaku.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

fascinating reading

Hits most of the hot spots on things that are talked about but seem impossible. Easy and good reading.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loading problem

A lot of my friends and I tried to downlaod it but it would.not showbany thing on the pages

Horrible

I bought this book and I can't even open it. I read the sample and it was good but this wouldn't open up. If you know how to fix this, please leave a comment telling me how to fix this. Thanks again, Anonymous.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

COMPELLING

If you are interested in the topics of time travel, worm holes, teleporting, mind reading, and other subjects covered in this book, and ever wondered if they could be possible--by all means read this book. Michio Kaku breaks the current information on these subjects down to a very understandable level. He succeeds in making these subjects interesting without taking away from the truly scientific aspects. He leaves you knowing that the impossible may not always be the impossible, although it may be years and years from now when we have a more complete knowledge of physics and quantam theories, that we are just now becoming aware of. If you are able to accept that not all things can be explained in simple terms, and accept that Mr. Kaku makes it as simple as he can without taking away from the subjects he discusses than grab this book and begin to discover the remarkable.

Fun and interesting

M. Kaku discusses the seemingly impossible and what it could take to make these impossibilities a reality

Impossible not to like! Physics of the Impossible, by Michio Ka

Impossible not to like!

Physics of the Impossible, by Michio Kaku, is an outstanding book in which the relative term “impossible” is categorized in three sections based on the time period they may or may not be accomplished. Kaku talks about the physics behind force fields, invisibility, teleportation, time travel, and more. He explains where scientists are at in the current topic and the technology we still need. Major themes of the book include: relativity, impossibility, human knowledge and limits, achievement, way of life, and futurism. I really appreciated that Kaku writes in a way that the common person can read and understand it, rather than target the book towards higher-level physicists. I also liked how he included some history on each topic; knowing that famous scientists thought our daily technology was impossible is really eye-opening. It allows us hope that humans can achieve so many more things. There was honestly nothing I didn’t like about the book! Physics of the Impossible should be read by anyone remotely interested in physics and has the time to read for understanding on the topics. It will give you great appreciation for the knowledge of the human race and how far we have come. If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend reading A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking.

simplified science

Physics of the impossible explores common themes in science fiction, and explains in simplified physics whether such things are possible soon, or far in the future. Kaku has an engaging writing style, and his physics is basic enough that most popular readers would be able to follow. However, I don’t think people who follow physics regularly would enjoy the simplified science. I enjoyed this book, though I have one major complaint: Kaku would give examples of science fiction phenomena from popular novels. Apparently assuming that everyone has read all of these books, he almost always tells the ending of the book. I hadn’t read several of these books and was quite annoyed since telling the end of the book did not add any merit to his own arguments. The book lost star-points because of this problem.

Good book...

Very interesting. Only for people who like sci-fi.

Far out, man

This is so deep, if you drop it, you may never find it again. If you have a mind, prepare for it to be blown.

Good good good. So good!

Read this book! It will change your life!

Amazingly written

While physics, espcially the physics talked about in this book, is no easy thing to wrap one's mind Kaku does a wonderful job of communicating such advanced information in a simple and very understandable way. Overall great book for those interested in physics.

Mind Blowing

Dr. Michio Kaku's "Physics of the Impossible" is the type of book that blows you mind open with the possibilites. Dr. Kaku is one of the most prolific physicists on the modern age. In "Physics of the Impossible" he explores the realistic possibilities of the science fiction of today becoming the science fact in the not too distant future.

In fact, for the most part, the stuff of sci-fi novels will not only become the fodder for tomarrow's non-fiction novels but the fiction may be near childs play as to what the future holds in store for us. Your mind will explode as the possibilites of space and time travel become real in ways you may not realize. More often then not Dr. Kaku reveals we are closer then the general public may even realize.

Even when the truely impossible is presented, Dr. Kaku reveals the pathways we must travel (over hundred and thousands of years) in order to get there. For expample, time travel is disucssed as a very real possibility. We know how to do it we lack the ENERGY needed to do it. Wild!

For the most part, Micio Kaku is masterful at putting very very detailed physical science into laymans terms that the average joe can understand. However, there are times where I just couldn't wrap my mind around the concepts being destribed. It did not turn me off, I was able to barely grasp the concepts and read through it in a haze. Those moments were few and far between and should be expected when discussing deep physical concepts.

This book was the catalyst for the television series Sci-Fi Science. If you enjoy that show or mythbusters or any similar types of programs this book is for you. Of course if your a future science buff this is also essential reading.

Good

Good

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

scince kind of book

its good for anyone intrested in science and advanced phyics

Best scientific book I have read!

Physics of The Impossible is a scientific approach to concepts and inventions that have not been created yet. It describes technology in classes based on their possibility in the future. A major theme involved in the book is that what we know today can drastically change in the way we look at it tomorrow. Very few technologies are truly impossible; most have just not been invented yet, such as teleportation and invisibility. A theme also included is curiosity. In science, "The most exciting phrase to hear is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'". Scientists everywhere have started billions upon billions of dollars worth of research triggered that one phrase. I like how the author, Michio Kaku, writes so that the average Joe can understand advanced physics. He also describes the history of the topic, where it appears in media, approximately how long it may take to reach the technology, and how accurate science fiction writers have been. I do not like, however, how short the book is; I wanted to read more! I highly recommend this book for anybody interested in modern sciences. Next on my reading list is Michio Maku's "Hyperspace" because I like the way he writes and I have heard good things about all of his work.