Superforce: The Search for a Grand Unified Theory of Nature

Noble physics laureate Abdus Salam calls this book "heady stuff" and says, "Davies has established himself as one of the most felicitous writers on physics at the frontier." Over the years I've become something of a Paul Davies connoisseur, having read many of his books. Among noted scientists writing popularizations, Davies is the reigning gold-standard. This is the best of his early works. When it was published in 1984, Davies had achieved some acclaim for his previous book 'God and the New Physics' but 'Superforce' is a far superior work (GatNP was perhaps his worst book). Superforce is not only one of Davies best books, in some ways it's one of the best physics popularizations ever published. Although the thesis is the deepest [expected] 'law' of nature (the superforce, supersymmetry, unified field, ToE, GUT, call it what you will) the first three chapters are as concise an explanation of quantum theory as a novice could hope for. If you don't get a glimpse of the "weird" quantum world from the first 50 pages, you probably never will ("The apparently concrete matter of experience dissolves away into vibrating patterns of quantum energy"). Perhaps the most significant consequence of the quantum theory is the insight that mind is a fundamental component of our world, not, as some had expected, a secondary phenomenon arising from mere mechanism. And Davies' exposition has just begun. With the groundwork established, Davies begins toward the heart of the matter in chapter four, exposing mathematical and gauge symmetries and the fascinating role of aesthetics, i.e., beauty, in nature (and thus in theoretical physics). Treated next are; the four supposedly fundamental forces, the particle "zoo" including messenger particles, QED, and the not-so-empty vacuum populated with "temporary particles whose visit is financed by the Heisenberg loan." And then a return to symmetry -- and hidden symmetries and symmetry breaking. Moving forward systematically, the going gets tougher. With electricity, magnetism, and the weak nuclear force mathematically combined, the next force to be included in the expected 'superforce' is the strong (glue) force, and this presents several problems, to put it mildly. Davies discusses the challenge of developing gauge field theories for quarks and gluons and how it has been met by QCD (quantum chromodynamics). With the expectation of a GUT now explained, what remains is to look at the contending variations (to explore the precise fit of QCD in a GUT by way of direct experiment, "we should have to build an accelerator larger than the solar system", to experimentally establish a GUT complete with gravitation, we would have to construct an accelerator larger than our galaxy!). Obviously mathematics is now the only tool available. Having already explained how the quantum theory has dispelled prospects for a strict reductionism wholly succeeding, Davies now develops the argument (chapters 9 - 12) that a single physical theory wil

This is an astonishingly lucid and consistently fascinating look at the scientific search for the single force that is purported to unite all the forces of nature - the reader gets a review of the known forces as well as the new ideas emerging from chaos and complexity theories. Davies is one of the great popularisers who NEVER indulges in hype or wild speculation, but instead sticks to the science. While his books may seem austere, they are clearer and more precise than a myriad of other science writers, who puff up meagre results with pseudo-science. Warmly recommended.