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

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I bought this book. On the one hand I was hoping that it wouldn't be too complicated to understand, but I was also concerned that it might veer into the kind of sensationalist, populist theorising that subjects like time travel and starships tend to attract.Both of these concerns were unfounded. Although each chapter is based around an element of science fiction (invisibility, force fields, etc.) it's taken as the basis for discussing a wide variety of developments in modern day physics. As a result you don't just come out of the book with an understanding of the plausibility of science fiction, but with a broad knowledge of many other aspects of physics as well. Overall, this principle works really well: draw people in with a fantastical topic, pique their interest and then use the opportunity to explain something (e.g. room temperature superconductors) that many people might never have read about in isolation.The only negative for me was the style of writing. It's not difficult to understand, but there are a few sloppy, badly structured sections that will probably annoy some readers. I don't think this is enough to take anything away from the book as a whole, though, so I think it's definitely worthy of five stars.

I'm only a couple of chapters in, this is right up my street. Michio Kaku explains things so deftly, going into great detail where necessary. I have no scientific training whatsoever, though I do take a deep interest in science and tech, but am finding it a very easy and enjoyable read.

This is the first time that I've bought a Michio Kaku book, although I've enjoyed the TV programmes that he has created over the last few years. When I heard him being interviewed about this new book, I knew immediately that it would be right up my street, and I have not been dissappointed.Kaku is a real physicist, and it's nice to see that he's also well versed in popular culture. He takes examples of technologies from popular fantasy and science fiction (like Star Trek, Harry Potter and Back to the Future) and analyzes the physics, categorizing each thing into three levels of impossibility. He covers faster than light travel, death rays, invisibility, time travel, and many other things that SciFi writers have come to rely on.A very entertaining book, and really a must for anyone that enjoys reading about physics.

Have seen Michio Kaku on several science shows, and always find him an excellent watch.When I saw this, I snapped it up - very interesting subject matter, and great to see a superb intellect figure out exactly how reasonable future technology advances might be.Most of the chapters are excellent, and very informative. However, I felt as the book went out, it started to drift a bit, some ideas feeling like padding, and a couple of chapters being a bit rambling.But overall a very good effort, and a interesting read.

Bought on a recommendation as a good read.