Now, I'll be the first to admit that I loved the PBS version of The Elegant Universe, not least of all for Greene's physical bearing of a cuddly Sam Waterston combined with a voice that reminds me of one of the Food Network hosts. He's easily the best thing to happen to PBS science programming since Carl Sagan. But do we really need the schtick? Perhaps we do, if only to establish him as a cultural phenom, or the latest recipient of his allotted 15 minutes of fame (though I want to stress that I think he deserves a lot more than that).

Admittedly, after this setup, Maslin delivers some good insights into what makes Greene an effective science writer, such as "a remarkably light touch" with even the most arcane subjects. In fact, I'd go so far as to say this is the best overall review I've seen since starting the Maslin Watch, and apart from the stream of zingers noted above, my only criticism would be of this statement:

In interviews he is sometimes asked where the next generation of physicists will come from. One clear answer: from the brain-teasing, exhilarating study of books like this.

I'll be the first to cheer if Brian Greene's books get into the hands of high-school kids and young undergraduates and spurs them into studying physics, or even just keeping up with it more actively. But for now I'd wager that his strongest audience may well be with those of us who, having earned our liberal arts degrees, have left the academy long behind and for whatever reason are sparked by the curiosity to find out what these "superstrings" we keep hearing about are. He's done a great job of holding our attention so far, and our increased scientific literacy is certainly to the good, but we won't be the next generation of physics.