For a "broad but enlightened audience," Fields medal winner Connes (analysis and geometry, CollTge de France) explains the double-edged sword of physics and math, and seeks to bridge the gap between advances in science that have altered our view of reality and popular accounts of them. Includes biographical notes on his coauthors. Translated from the 2000 French edition, Triangle de pensTs . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)