FEARFUL SYMMETRY. The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics

Fearful Symmetry brings the incredible discoveries of contemporary physics within everyone's grasp. A. Zee, a distinguished physicist and skillful expositor, tells the exciting story of how today's theoretical physicists are following Einstein in their search for the beauty and simplicity of Nature. Animated by a sense of reverence and whimsy, the book describes the majestic sweep and accomplishments of twentieth-century physics. In the end, we stand in awe before the grand vision of modern physics-one of the greatest chapters in the intellectual history of humankind. "Fearful Symmetry tells the story of modem physics and contemporary physicists in a most understandable and vivid way. It makes the 'fearful' symmetry simple and accessible, and the burning tigers lively and human. An excellent rendition and an outstanding achievement." -T. D. Lee, Nobel Laureate in Physics "To a layman like myself, totally unversed in modern theoretical physics, Zee's book comes as an illumination. Once having grasped the idea of symmetry as an aesthetic and intellectual principle, I found myself, under his guidance, contemplating aspects, of the design of the universe of which I never had the faintest glimmer." -John Rupert Martin, Marquand Professor of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University "A small gem we can see deeply into with small effort and great pleasure." -Robert Schrieffer, Nobel Laureate in Physics