Includes bibliographical references (p. [359]-371) and index.

Pt. I. The unfinished revolution -- 1. The five great problems in theoretical physics -- 2. The beauty myth -- 3. The world as geometry -- 4. Unification becomes a science -- 5. From unification to superunification -- 6. Quantum gravity : the fork in the road -- Pt. II. A brief history of string theory -- 7. Preparing for a revolution -- 8. The first superstring revolution -- 9. Revolution number two -- 10. A theory of anything -- 11. The anthropic solution -- 12. What string theory explains -- Pt. III. Beyond string theory -- 13. Surprises from the real world -- 14. Building on Einstein -- 15. Physics after string theory -- Pt. IV. Learning from experience -- 16. How do you fight sociology? -- 17. What is science? -- 18. Seers and craftspeople -- 19. How science really works -- 20. What we can do for science.

"In this book, physicist Lee Smolin argues that physics - the basis for all other sciences - has lost its way. One of the major problems, according to Smolin, is string theory: an ambitious attempt to formulate a "theory of everything" that explains all the particles and forces of nature and how the universe came to be." "But as Smolin reveals, there's a deep flaw in the theory: no part of it has been tested, and no one knows how to test it. In fact, the theory appears to come in an infinite number of versions, meaning that no experiment will ever be able to prove it false. As a scientific theory, it fails." "Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a look of at what will replace it. Smolin not only tells us who and what to watch for in the coming years, he offers novel solutions for seeking out and nurturing the best new talent - giving us a chance, at long last, of finding the next Einstein."--BOOK JACKET.