nearly 15 years ago, this book (along with a slew of others in the science sections of Borders (RIP) and Half Price Books) inspired me to pursue math and physics. that pursuit led me to UChicago, and although I ultimately concentrated in philosophy, I went down a very particular path in life. Even though Greene's book isnt the greatest (and I dont think M-theory or string theory ever succeeded), you could say it changed my life. I guess thats all one should ask of a book