The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality (2004)[1] is the second book on theoretical physics, cosmology, and string theory written by Brian Greene, professor and co-director of Columbia's Institute for Strings, Cosmology, and Astroparticle Physics (ISCAP).

He sets out to describe the features he finds both exciting and essential to forming a full picture of the reality painted by modern science.

In almost every chapter, Greene introduces basic concepts and then slowly builds to a climax, usually a scientific breakthrough.

Greene then attempts to connect with his reader by posing simple analogies to help explain the meaning of a scientific concept without oversimplifying the theory behind it.

The ideas of Isaac Newton, Ernst Mach, and Gottfried Leibniz on this thought experiment are discussed in detail.

This chapter studies quantum mechanics, including the concepts of probability waves and interference patterns, particle spin, the photon double slit experiment, and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.

The reader is also informed of challenges posed to quantum mechanics by Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen.

Probability plays a major role in this chapter because it is an inescapable part of quantum mechanics.

General relativity and the discovery of dark energy (repulsive gravity) are taken into account, as well as the cosmological constant.

Certain problems that arise due to the standard Big Bang theory are addressed, and new answers are given using inflationary cosmology.

Chapter 11, "Quanta in the Sky with Diamonds", continues with the topic of inflation, and the arrow of time is also discussed again.

The chapter addresses three main developments: the formation of structures such as galaxies, the amount of energy required to spawn the universe we now see, and the origin of time's arrow.

The reader will learn how string theory could fill the gaps between general relativity and quantum mechanics.

[4] NOVA made a documentary sequel to the popular Elegant Universe adaptation based on this book The Fabric of the Cosmos and with the same name.

The series is hosted by Greene and includes commentary by numerous other renowned physicists, such as Max Tegmark and others.