A more detailed review by Jonathan Simon of the Univeristy of Maryland appears in the January 1998 issue of Physics World
Many science-fiction authors try to use ideas from the cutting edge of science before exploring the human and technological consequences of these ideas. It is, however, rarer to see an author go in the opposite direction - in other words, one who starts with popular ideas from science fiction, before tackling the relevant physics.
In addition to Star Trek itself, Krauss looks at the movies Independence Day and Star Wars, as well as the television series The X Files. There are also general references to other concepts that are familiar from science fiction and fantasy. For example, Krauss addresses the physics of interstellar travel, the frequency of extrasolar planets and the potential mechanisms behind extrasensory perception. He also looks at how the laws of physics would need to be obeyed even if time travel were permitted.
Often the same person enjoys science fiction and science itself, since both can inspire the imagination in similar ways. The ideal readers for this book will therefore be curious science-fiction fans and - to a slightly lesser extent - professional (or student) physicists who fancy a bit of science fiction. Both physics novices and physics experts alike will find the physics discussions interesting and amusing.