This is a challenging book, even for self-described intellectuals. It's critical to put in the time, slowly, in the first few chapters, stick with it, and see the benefits unfold in the later, rather elegant chapters where it all comes together -- literally. While Penrose can be a bit strident at times, he makes a convincing and worthwhile case for his explanation of how the laws of nature interrelate and flow into somewhat very unexpected fields. Not having read many (any) other books on theoretical physics, it's hard to compare this to other books in the genre. But from a more philosophical viewpoint, it's an impressive effort to expound on current theory and can make even a hardened 19th century Western European old-school philosophy curmudgeon like myself to take pause and think things over. Well worth the time and effort.