Theoretical physicist and bestselling author Brian Greene has spent his career exploring some of science’s biggest questions, from the fundamental nature of matter to the possibility of multiple universes. A professor at Columbia University, he graduated from Harvard before earning his doctorate in theoretical physics at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. His research has helped advance the study of string theory, a framework that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics with general relativity.
A leading popularizer of modern physics, Greene has written a string of books — including The Elegant Universe, The Fabric of the Cosmos, and The Hidden Reality — that explore the mysteries of space, time, and the evolution of the universe. He is also a co-founder of the World Science Festival, an annual forum aimed at cultivating “a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.”
Sharing some of his favorite works of science writing with The Week, Greene’s selections offer a glimpse into the ideas that have shaped his intellectual world. From Steven Weinberg’s primer on the origin of the universe to Oliver Sacks’ intimate analysis of the unsound mind, they form a reading list for anyone curious about the cosmos, life, and consciousness. Explore his recommendations below, and dive into the bookshelves of other celebrated scientists here.
Brian Greene’s Reading List
The First Three Minutes by Steven Weinberg
“A classic of popular science writing, focused on the origin of the universe and the subsequent formation of the simplest chemical elements. Although many discoveries have been made since Weinberg published the original edition of this book in 1977, it’s still a great primer on cosmology, written by a master.” -BG
The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski
“A compelling biography of the species, teasing out subtle and critical influences. Science proper plays an important part in later stages, but watching our early brethren cope, adapt, and influence their surroundings, you see the scientific perspective taking shape.” -BG
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
“Twenty-four case histories of patients with neurological disorders provide an intimate look at the astounding range of brain function. Sacks’ book reads like a novel, and with every chapter we appreciate more fully the depth and complexity of conscious experience.” -BG
Consciousness Explained by Daniel C. Dennett
“I’m frequently asked about my views on consciousness; I’m not sure why. Dennett’s book, while controversial (if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be worth reading), is the most convincing argument that, while a complex phenomenon, consciousness is the experience of physical processes in the brain.” -BG
Coming of Age in the Milky Way by Timothy Ferris
“Think Ascent of Man, the sequel. With some of the best turns of phrase in popular science writing, Ferris traces our struggle to understand the cosmos and our place within it.” -BG
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (also rec’d by Charlie Munger & Peter Singer)
“Dawkins lays out the case for natural selection’s acting with greatest influence at the level of genes. Entertaining, informative, and convincing—just what you want in a popular science book.” -BG
(via The Week; photo by Michael Avedon)
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