OF ALL ideas, string theory 鈥� physicists鈥� candidate for a 鈥渢heory of everything鈥� 鈥� seems impossible to squeeze into a small book, even if there are extra hidden dimensions. So you have to admire physicist Steven Gubser for trying.
The Little Book of String Theory covers vast territory, from the first superstring revolution, when physicists proposed that strings might account for all particles and forces of nature, to the second revolution, when they realised that string theory is barely about strings. He describes possible experimental tests of the theory and the many theoretical challenges that lie ahead, all in an engaging, entertaining and readable way. You will probably finish the book more confused than when you started, but in the best possible way: with profound questions and a desire to learn more. That seems an accurate description of how string theorists like Gubser feel as they await the third superstring revolution.
Princeton University Press