Science readers who have gone through relativity theory, quantum physics, Heisenbergian uncertainty, black holes and the world of quarks and virtual particles only to be stunned by recent Grand Unified Theories (GUTS) will welcome New York Times science writer Gleick's adventurous attempt to describe the revolutionary science of chaos. ``Chaos'' is what a handful of theorists steeped in math and computer know-how are calling their challengingly abstract new look at nature in terms of nonlinear dynamics. Gleick traces the ideas of these little-known pioneersincluding Mitchell Feigenbaum and his Butterfly Effect; Benoit Mandelbrot, whose ``fractal'' concept led to a new geometry of nature; and Joseph Ford who countered Einstein with ``God plays dice with the universe. But they're loaded dice.'' Chaos is deep, even frightening in its holistic embrace of nature as paradoxically complex, wildly disorderly, random and yet stable in its infinite stream of ``self-similarities.'' A ground-breaking book about what seems to be the future of physics. Illustrations. QPBC alternate. (October 20) From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Chaos-theory, touted as the third revolution in 20th-century science after relativity and quantum mechanics, uses traditional mathematics to understand complex natural systems with too many variables to study. Philosophically, it counters the Second Law of Thermodynamics by demonstrating the ``spontaneous emergence of self-organization.'' In this new science apparent disorder is meaningful; the structure of chaos can be mapped by plotting graphically the calculations of nonlinear mathematics using ``fractal'' geometry, a brainchild of Benoit Mandelbrot in which symmetrical patterns repeat across different scales. With jocular descriptions of eccentric characters such as the ``Dynamical Systems collective,'' (a.k.a. Chaos Cabal) of the University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz, Chaos offers an absorbing look at trailblazers on a new scientific frontier. Laurie Tynan, Montgomery Cty.-Norristown P.L., Pa. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

For the past several decades a number of scientists from all fields have been devoting more and more time to the study of disorder or chaos. Their quest is simply to determine whether or not some sense of order actually exists within chaotic situations or systems. As a result of such investigations in physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, geology, and mathematics, a new branch of science-the study of chaos-appears to be emerging. Gleick, in this book, traces the brief history of this new branch of science and goes into detail on some of the discoveries that have contributed a great deal to its development. Intended for the layperson, the book is written in nonmathematical terms and should be easily understood by upperclass undergraduate students and above. The writing flows evenly and Gleick weaves in enough human interest commentary about the scientists themselves to make the narrative especially readable. The book is well illustrated, indexed, and contains notes and sources for further reading. At present there are no books similar to this, although parts of Douglas R. Hofstader's Metamagical Themas (1985) provide a good introduction to the field at a slightly more mathematically sophisticated level. Highly recommended for all college libraries.-H.E. Wylen, Washington and Jefferson College From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

He wrote the worldwide bestseller Chaos, which was nominated for the National Book Award. He was the 1990 McGraw Distinguished Lecturer at Princeton University.

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.