Theoretical physicist Hammond (U. of North Carolina) explains some of the most perplexing concepts from contemporary theoretical physics to the general reader. Individual chapters discuss cosmic acceleration, dark matter, the cosmic ray paradox, renormalization (necessary because infinity minus infinity does not equal zero in physics), the theorized Higgs particle, quantum gravity, string theory, the origin of the universe, and other mysteries. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)