Cosmology and the universe Books

Book SynopsisDavid Christian, creator of Big History (''My favourite course of all time'' Bill Gates), brings us the epic story of the universe and our place in it, from 13.8 billion years ago to the remote future''Nails home the point: Life is a miracle ... A compelling history of everything'' Washington Post ''Spectacular'' Carlo RovelliHow did we get from the Big Bang to today''s staggering complexity, in which seven billion humans are connected into networks powerful enough to transform the planet? And why, in comparison, are our closest primate relatives reduced to near-extinction? Big History creator David Christian gives the answers in a mind-expanding cosmological detective story told on the grandest possible scale. He traces how, during eight key thresholds, the right conditions have allowed new forms of complexity to arise, from stars to galaxies, Earth to homo sapiens, agriculture to fossil fuels. This last mega-innovation gave us an energy bonanza that brought huge benefits to mankind, yet also threatens to shake apart everything we have created.''Rather like the Big Bang, the book is awe-inspiring ... Superb'' The Times''With fascinating ideas on every page and the page-turning energy of a good thriller, this is a landmark work'' Sir Ken Robinson, author of The ElementTrade ReviewIf you read one book this year, make it this one -- Fareed Zakaria, CNNA journey through billions of years that nails home the point: Life is a miracle ... [A] remarkably cogent and compelling history of everything * Washington Post *Rather like the Big Bang, the book is awe-inspiring. The processes it describes are all familiar, but I'd never seen them explained with such clarity and verve ... Superb -- Gerard Degroot * The Times *[Origin Story is] long-haul science with wit and oomph * Nature *Christian tells this story very well, providing, in effect, a short course in modern science. This is a brief history of the universe, and an excellent one * Wall Street Journal *I have long been a fan of David Christian. In Origin Story, he elegantly weaves evidence and insights from many scientific and historical disciplines into a single, accessible historical narrative -- Bill GatesIn Origin Story, David Christian has found a spectacular way to use history to put order in the entire set of our knowledge about the world. This is a wonderful achievement -- Carlo Rovelli * author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and The Order of Time *Origin Story is a majestic distillation of our current understanding of the birth of the universe, of the solar system, of the oceans, of mountains and minerals, of all life on earth and of the driving dynamics of human culture and achievement. All of this in just over 300 pages of captivating prose that weaves together innumerable insights from the sciences, arts and humanities. With fascinating ideas on every page and the page turning energy of a good thriller, this is a landmark work that comes at a time when it has never been more important for humanity to have a clearer, more informed understanding of our place on earth and of the earth's place in the cosmos. A spellbinding synthesis -- Ken Robinson * educator and bestselling author of The Element and You, Your Child and School *A remarkable book that puts us self-important humans in our proper place in the cosmos, yet also explains why the story of human culture and knowledge - what Christian calls collective learning - matters for understanding our present world and shaping its future -- Merry Wiesner-Hanks, President of the World History Association

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Book SynopsisCHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH, NEW STATESMAN AND BBC SCIENCE FOCUS''An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it''s a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate'' James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsAn icon of the last fifty years, Stephen Hawking seems to encapsulate genius: not since Albert Einstein has a scientific figure held such a position in popular consciousness. In this enthralling memoir, writer and physicist Leonard Mlodinow tells the story of his friend and their collaboration, offering an intimate account of this giant of science. The two met in 2003, when Stephen asked Leonard if he would consider writing a book with him, the follow up to the bestselling A Brief History of Time. As they spent years working on a seconTrade ReviewA very fine book indeed. Mlodinow is himself a physicist of some distinction, but he is also a very skilled writer. Writing of the stubbornness that enabled Hawking to pursue theoretical physics despite his motor neurone disease, he says, "It allowed his spirit to dance in the prison of his limp body." The great merit of this book is to convey so vividly the dance, the spirit and the prison -- Ray Monk * New Statesman Books of the Year *Even Stephen Hawking's brain was not a computer; fellow physicist Leonard Mlodinow provides a warm and three-dimensional portrait of a brilliant and stubborn human being, rather than simply a genius in a chair * Daily Telegraph Books of the Year *One of the most touching biographies of the year shows the human side of the great physicist Stephen Hawking, as seen by his friend and collaborator Leonard Mlodinow. With admirably easy-to-grasp digressions into favourite subjects such as Einstein, dark energy and black holes, Mlodinow tells us about Hawking the man -- Katy Guest * Guardian Books of the Year *A personal and intellectual biography - and tremendously entertaining. . . Leonard Mlodinow is himself a theoretical physicist, and a brilliant writer to boot. . . Five stars -- Daily Telegraph * Steven Poole *Hawking's collaborator retells his story with humour and fondness, and helps us know the famous scientist as he really was. . . Highly enjoyable. . . a tender account, full of genuine affection, which doesn't shy away from Hawking's intense focus, self-centredness and unpredictability -- Guardian * Jim Al-Khalili *A compelling read. . . fresh and worthwhile. As a serious theoretical physicist who co-wrote two books with Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow saw the great man from a unique vantage point. He can delve into intimate details and survey the intellectual high ground -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Leonard Mlodinow has done the impossible. He has skillfully woven together a thoughtful, insightful, intimate, and engaging portrait of Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest minds of our times, while being scrupulously faithful to the physics. Hawking would have been proud of this book -- Michio KakuStartlingly good ... What really comes over is his modest delight that he made a friend of such an eminent man. Mlodinow explains the science with a clarity and an elegance. You will learn from this what you signally failed to learn from A Brief History of Time -- Daily MailStephen Hawking was a unique scientist and person, and Leonard Mlodinow's book is a unique glimpse into how he worked and lived. As educational as it is touching, this is a deeply human look at a mind that spanned the cosmos -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenDespite the acclaim, there is still much to discover about Steven Hawking ... theoretical physicist Leonard Mlodinow offers an intimate glimpse inside the famous scientist's life * New Scientist *Hugely enjoyable. . . fresh and compelling. Instead of the spellbound exaltation of a great mind, it is a humane and intimate portrayal of a brilliant scientist. It is also written from a special vantage point. Mlodinow, a theoretical physicist and gifted author, spent several years working with Hawking, co-writing two books. Their working sessions form the narrative backbone of this emotionally satisfying and intellectually stimulating memoir John Paul Rathbone, Financial Times -- Financial Times * John Paul Rathbone *An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it's a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate -- James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsStephen Hawking surpassed science and touched the world with his transcendent genius and heroic courage that inspired millions. In this intimate memoir, his long-time friend and physics collaborator Leonard Mlodinow, one of the finest science writers of our time, shares insights into Hawking that humanizes him while also revealing what made him one of history's greatest minds -- Michael Shermer, author of The Believing Brain

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of mankind's fascination with worlds beyond our own-by the bestselling author of The Physics of Star Trek Lawrence Krauss -an international leader in physics and cosmology-examines our long and ardent romance with parallel universes, veiled dimensions, and regions of being that may extend tantalizingly beyond the limits of our perception. Krauss examines popular culture's current embrace (and frequent misunderstanding) of such topics as black holes, life in other dimensions, strings, and some of the more extraordinary new theories that propose the existence of vast extra dimensions alongside our own. BACKCOVER: An astonishing and brilliantly written work of popular science. -Science a GoGo A brilliant, thrilling book . . . You'll have so much fun reading that you'll hardly notice you're getting a primer on contemporary physics and cosmology. -Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American LifeTrade Review“An astonishing and brilliantly written work of popular science.” —Science a GoGo“A brilliant, thrilling book . . . You’ll have so much fun reading that you’ll hardly notice you’re getting a primer on contemporary physics and cosmology.” —Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

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Book SynopsisGravity: From Falling Apples to Supermassive Black Holes provides a fascinating historical account of how we have reached our current understanding of gravity, and places the most sensational developments in gravitational physics, including the detection of gravitational waves and supermassive black holes, in their true context.Trade ReviewIt's welcome that Nicholas Mee has updated his fine book to include, in this new edition, the exciting recent advances in studying gravity and its cosmic manifestations. But what makes the book special is that the narrative builds on a fascinating description of the historical context that can be traced right back to ancient times. * Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, former President of the Royal Society *With clear diagrams, questions and puzzles and interesting notes for each chapter this is an unusually stimulating book. * Sir James Hough, Associate Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research, Research Professor in Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow *The quality of writing is high, the style is engaging and the explanations clear and accessible. * Mike Cruise, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics and Space Research, University of Birmingham *Written in an engaging and readable style, this book brings us right up to date in all things concerning gravity. * Julian Onions, Astrophysicist, University of Nottingham *Gravity: From Falling Apples to Supermassive Black Holes is written in a captivating historical style with stories about the researchers of the past and present that illuminate many key ideas in astronomy and physics. * MathSciNet *Gravity (2nd Edition) is a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf of anybody looking to more fully understand the most fundamental of forces, whether from a historical or scientific perspective. It is published by Oxford University Press and available wherever good books are sold. * Blogstronomy *Table of Contents0: Can You Feel the Force? 1: The Cosmic Puzzle 2: The Secret of the Universe 3: The Magic Spyglass 4: Voyaging through Strange Seas 5: The Great Ocean of Truth 6: Lets Do the Time Warp 7: Black Holes 8: Ripples in the Fabric of Things 9: Across the Universe

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Book SynopsisAimed at advanced undergraduate or graduate physics students, the book aims to give a working understanding of astronomy and gravitational waves, as well as introducing the reader to the key concepts in cosmology and classical field theory.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition As Albert Einstein once emphasized, one should make things as simple as possible, but not simpler. Andrew Steane follows the master's recommendation and presents a relatively easy tour through the wonderful worlds of Special and General Relativity. He guides the reader patiently and pedagogically through the fundamental concepts as well as their main applications. This book is of great value for both students and lecturers. * Claus Kiefer, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Cologne *Steane's book provides a physically oriented introduction to Special Relativity and its consequences, which does not compromise rigour in its exposition. I do not know of any other textbook on the topic covering such a breadth of topics at a detailed, but at the same time accessible and insightful level. In particular, the discussion of electromagnetism in the context of Special Relativity - where Relativity really comes into life - is excellent. The book contains an interesting and original selection of exercises which will help the dedicated reader to gain mastery in the details of the theory. * Juan A. Valiente Kroon, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London *Offering a uniquely broad and thorough coverage of one of the standard tools of modern physics, Andrew Steane's Relativity Made Relatively Easy is an approachable and comprehensive coverage of Einstein's most famous contribution to science. It is sure to become a favorite resource for students and researchers alike. * Warren Anderson, Center for Gravitation and Cosmology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee *The book truly has the potential to become a pivotal part of scholarship in physics. This lucid and thoughtful approach to taking the reader pedagogically through how Einsteinian relativity works, and how it supersedes the Newtonian construction with respect to explaining the basic principles of physical law, is comprehensive, thorough, innovative, challenging, and in many cases original. Steane's approach fills a gap in what in many university undergraduate courses has become a topic considered rather too briefly and in a rather too stereotyped manner, and which thereby has always denied physics graduates of the deeper insight into how Lorentz invariance is at the root of almost everything. * John Dainton, Sir James Chadwick Professor of Physics, University of Liverpool *Table of Contents1: Preface 2: Terminology and notation 3: The elements of general relativity 4: An introductory example: the uniform static field 5: Life in a rotating world 6: Linearized general relativity 7: Slow stationary sources 8: Gravitational waves 9: Manifolds 10: Vectors on manifolds 11: The affine connection 12: Further useful ideas 13: Tensors 14: Parallel transport and geodesics 15: Physics in curved spacetime 16: Curvature 17: The Einstein field equation 18: Schwarzschild-Droste solution 19: Further spherically symmetric solutions 20: Rotating bodies; the Kerr metric 21: Black holes 22: Black hole thermodynamics 23: Cosmology 24: Cosmological dynamics 25: The growth of structure 26: Observational cosmology 27: The very early universe 28: First steps in classical field theory 29: Lagrangian mechanics for fields 30: Conclusion Free

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Book SynopsisThe book explores the surprising connections between the study of the universe on the largest scales, and the physics of the infinitely small, and investigates the extraordinary potential of multi-messenger astronomy to provide answers to the key questions of fundamental physics and thus revolutionise our understanding of the universe.Trade ReviewThe author lets his enthusiasm for the subject and its research enterprises shine through, which is an excellent feature * Dave Pike, The Observatory *Particularly timely, and of great appeal to a wide readership from the professional scientist to the intelligent layperson * Professor Sir James Hough, University of Glasgow *A timely, engrossing, witty yet scholarly work, this book is essential reading for anybody interested in the cutting edge of cosmology. Prof. Bertone is an expert guide with the rare gift of presenting complex ideas in an accessible, original and compelling way. An armchair journey to the limits of the known universe and beyond! * Professor Roberto Trotta, Imperial College London and International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) *This is an excellent book that will convey to the lay public the excitement of recent discoveries that are bringing us novel and even revolutionary insights about the nature of the cosmos we inhabit * Professor Abhay Ashtekar, Director of the Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Pennsylvania State University *A clear and readable account of humanity's fascination with the cosmos, from ancient times to the Nobel prizewinning observation of gravitational waves. Explains the triumphs and crises of current theories of the origin and structure of the universe in simple, accessible terms. Enjoyable and informative * Professor Ian Stewart FRS, author of Calculating the Cosmos *An intriguing blend of cosmic mysteries and observational probes, with a delightfully accessible approach * Joseph Silk, Homewood Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University *A lively introduction to the newly emerging field of multi-messenger astronomy, outlining the certainties and possibilities as well as the intriguing open questions - a must-read for young minds who want to venture into this new and exciting journey of cosmic exploration * Priyamvada Natarajan, astrophysicist and author of Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas That Reveal the Cosmos *With equal parts flair and sophistication, Bertone takes us on an incredible tour of our universe's greatest mysteries. The language is at times so evocative you might forget you're actually learning something! * Dan Hooper, Head of the Theoretical Astrophysics Group, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago *In this charming book, Gianfranco Bertone considers puts cutting-edge ideas -- black holes, dark energy, inflationary cosmology -- into their proper context as part of humanity's ongoing quest to understand the universe. Wonderfully written, Tale of Two Infinities manages to illuminate cosmic vistas while never losing sight of the human perspective * Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime *The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 was just the beginning. The insatiably curious seeking context and some sense of the promise of these new starry messengers should look no further. Gianfranco Bertone is a sure guide, and A Tale of Two Infinities is an engaging tour * Jim Baggott, author of Quantum Reality *The recent developments in Cosmology have shown that the infinitely big (the Universe) and the infinitely small (fundamental forces and particles, structure of spacetime at the microscopic, subatomic level) have never been so close to each other. Physicists studying both "infinities" ask the same questions and look for the same answers. The reader will feel comfortably cradled between these two infinities. The text manages to present the latest, on-going "revolution" brought about by the recent direct detection of gravitational waves in a simple way yet respecting and reflecting the deep meaning of it. Enjoy! * Licia Verde, ICREA professor, Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos (ICC), University of Barcelona *Table of ContentsThe architecture of the cosmos 9 Spheres of heaven Dark foundations Cosmic inferno Stories of a certain Gravity Queen of the cosmos The order of heaven The most beautiful theory The new messengers Gravitational waves Einstein's last gift Ghost Particles Black Holes Phenomenology of the absurd Quantum effects Upcoming waves Dark Matter Halos, streams, and lenses New Physics New portals Dark Energy Possible explanations Quantum origins The future Quantum genesis In the beginning Inflation Primordial waves

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Book SynopsisThe Planetary Scientist's Companion is a comprehensive and practical book of facts and data about the Sun, planets, asteroids, comets, meteorites, and Kuiper belt and Centaur objects in our solar system. Also covered are properties of nearby stars, the interstellar medium, and extra-solar planetary systems.Trade Review"It is indeed an extremely useful book. It contains everything that is needed for the one en vogue back of the envelope calculations and much more. Lodders and Fegley have compiled a remarkable combination of data relevant to all aspects of planetology in a handy booklet. The real value of the book is the supporting literature documentation of all numbers listed. I recommend this book without any reservations." -- Herbert Palme, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Vol 35, 2000 "The Planetary Scientist's Companion is a concise reference book that will be helpful to students and researchers in planetary sciences and related areas. Even the rapid change in knowledge of our planetary system and the fast increase of available data will not outdate this book in the near future. I recommend this compilation to all persons working in the broad field of planetology. Also those teaching in Earth and planetary sciences will appreciate having The Planetary Scientist's Companion available on their bookshelf." -- Ludolf Schultz "This book is incredibly comprehensive and well-organized. It is jam-packed with mostly tabular data from a wide variety of well-documented and relatively up-to-date sources, including classic research and review papers and disparate reference sources. While unusual for a reference book, The Planetary Scientist's Companion actually lends itself to casual reading, which is perhaps fitting for what the authors describe as a "'data journey' through the solar system and beyond." This is a succinct and handy reference book that will be of use to most students and teachers." --EOS, June 15, 1999 "This book has been written for the 'friend of planetary sciences' who might be in need of some physical or chemical data to do a quick calculation or otherwise need some facts and figures. The 17 chapters start with basic technical data and proceed to cover all of the bodies in our solar system--the sun, the planets and their satellites, the asteroids, the comets, and also meteorites. Data for these bodies includes size, shape, composition, atmosphere, and orbital information. There is also a brief chapter, 'Beyond the Solar System' (nearby stars, brown dwarfs, and extrasolar planets), as well as a glossary."--Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society "Lodders and Fegley's modest volume is chock-full of information, a rich handbook for the Solar System. The first 100 pages are devoted to general geometric, chemical, and physical ideas, and data that will be useful later. The bulk of the handbook is a body-by-body description with data relating to the planets, their satellites and rings, asteroids, Centaur and Kuiper belt objects, comets meteorites, stars in the solar vicinity, and substellar objects. . . . The organization and the index are quite well done, and finding specific information is not difficult; the text is rich with a large number of helpful figures and graphs. There is a nice glossary that is extensive and should be useful. It should be a handy book for any physics department teaching an astronomy course, and especially for students or faculty when using telescopes for observation of nearby objects. As a convenient reference, it belongs in any good college library."--Choice "[P]rovides important physical, chemical, and astronomical information that will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of planetary science, geochemistry, and cosmochemistry. The book is compact, yet filled with easy-to-find tabular data and descriptive information on our solar system's planets and moons, the sun, and other objects such as asteroids and comets. There are also chapters on meteorites . . . and the newly discovered planets outside our solar system. . . . The authors state in the book's preface that they have not intended to create a work to replace textbooks on planetary science or cosmochemistry, but to provide a handy reference tool that brings together information that is widely scattered in scientific journals and books. They have achieved this objective. . . . [R]ecommended for all academic libraries supporting planetary astronomy or geochemistry course offerings and larger public library reference collections."--E-STREAMS "It is indeed an extremely useful book. It contains everything that is needed for the one en vogue back of the envelope calculations and much more. Lodders and Fegley have compiled a remarkable combination of data relevant to all aspects of planetology in a handy booklet. The real value of the book is the supporting literature documentation of all numbers listed. I recommend this book without any reservations." -- Herbert Palme, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Vol 35, 2000 "The Planetary Scientist's Companion is a concise reference book that will be helpful to students and researchers in planetary sciences and related areas. Even the rapid change in knowledge of our planetary system and the fast increase of available data will not outdate this book in the near future. I recommend this compilation to all persons working in the broad field of planetology. Also those teaching in Earth and planetary sciences will appreciate having The Planetary Scientist's Companion available on their bookshelf." -- Ludolf Schultz "This book is incredibly comprehensive and well-organized. It is jam-packed with mostly tabular data from a wide variety of well-documented and relatively up-to-date sources, including classic research and review papers and disparate reference sources. While unusual for a reference book, The Planetary Scientist's Companion actually lends itself to casual reading, which is perhaps fitting for what the authors describe as a "'data journey' through the solar system and beyond." This is a succinct and handy reference book that will be of use to most students and teachers." --EOS, June 15, 1999 "The Planetary Scientist's Companion is a succinct and handy reference that will be useful to those in the geophysical community looking for a foothold into planetary science or for an interesting compact survey of the present understanding of planetary phenomena."--The Leading EdgeTable of Contents1. Technical Data ; 2. The Solar System ; 3. The Sun ; 4. Mercury ; 5. Venus ; 6. Earth and Moon ; 7. Mars and Satellites ; 8. Jupiter, Rings and Satellites ; 9. Saturn, Rings and Satellites ; 10. Uranus, Rings and Satellites ; 11. Neptune, Rings and Satellites ; 12. Pluto and Charon ; 13. The Asteroids ; 14. Centaur Objects and Kuiper Belt Objects ; 15. Comets ; 16. Meteorites ; 17. Beyond the Solar System ; Glossary ; Index

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Book SynopsisDo a little armchair time travel, rub elbows with a four-dimensional intelligent life form, or stretch your mind to the furthest corner of an uncharted universe. With this astonishing guidebook, Surfing Through Hyperspace, you need not be a mathematician or an astrophysicist to explore the all-but-fathomable concepts of hyperspace and higher-dimensional geometry.No subject in mathematics has intrigued both children and adults as much as the idea of a fourth dimension. Philosophers and parapsychologists have meditated on this mysterious space that no-one can point to but may be all around us. Yet this extra dimension has a very real, practical value to mathematicians and physicists who use it everyday in their calculations. In the tradition of Flatland, and with an infectious enthusiasm, Clifford Pickover tackles the problems inherent in our 3-D brains trying to visualize a 4-D world, muses on the religious implications of the existence of higher-dimensional consciousness, and urges allTrade Review"Pickover alternates expositions of math, physics and geometry with episodes of instructional science fiction while showing interested amateurs the mathematical and physical properties of higher spatial dimensions."--Publishers Weekly "Is there, asks Clifford Pickover, more to our Universe than forwards, sidewards, and up? Before I knew it, I was well and truly infected. After explaining how his book would cover all the usual stuff about higher dimensions--their unimaginability, their weird properties, and how physicists think they may hold the key to understanding the Universe--Pickover sprung his trap: 'I want to know if humankind's gods could exist in the fourth dimension'....I read the book in two sittings. I'm still under its influence, which is all the more perplexing considering how abstract and unworldly higher dimensions are."--Robert Mathews, New Scientist "Mark my words: within a few months, you too will come across others in the grip of infection by this amazing book."--New Scientist "Extraordinary book."--Daily Telegraph (UK) "In recent years, Pickover has taken up the helm once worn by Isaac Asimov as the most compelling popular explainer of cutting-edge scientific ideas."--"In Pittsburgh" "Pickover alternates expositions of math, physics and geometry with episodes of instructional science fiction while showing interested amateurs the mathematical and physical properties of higher spatial dimensions."--Publishers Weekly "Is there, asks Clifford Pickover, more to our Universe than forwards, sidewards, and up? Before I knew it, I was well and truly infected. After explaining how his book would cover all the usual stuff about higher dimensions--their unimaginability, their weird properties, and how physicists think they may hold the key to understanding the Universe--Pickover sprung his trap: 'I want to know if humankind's gods could exist in the fourth dimension'....I read the book in two sittings. I'm still under its influence, which is all the more perplexing considering how abstract and unworldly higher dimensions are."--Robert Mathews, New Scientist "Mark my words: within a few months, you too will come across others in the grip of infection by this amazing book."--New Scientist "Extraordinary book."--Daily Telegraph (UK) "In recent years, Pickover has taken up the helm once worn by Isaac Asimov as the most compelling popular explainer of cutting-edge scientific ideas."--"In Pittsburgh"Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1: Degrees of Freedom 2: The Divinity of Higher Dimensions 3: Satan and Perpendicular Worlds 4: Hyperspheres and Tesseracts 5: Mirror Worlds 6: The Gods of Hyperspace Concluding Remarks Appendix A: Mind-Bending Four Dimensional Puzzles Appendix B: Higher Dimensions in Science Fiction Appendix C: Banchoff Klein Bottle Appendix D: Quaternions Appendix E: Four-Dimensional Mazes Appendix F: Smorgasbord for Computer Junkies Appendix G: Evolution of Four-Dimensional Beings Appendix H: Challenging Questions for Further Thought Appendix I: Hyperspace Titles Notes Further Readings About the Author Addendum Index

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Book SynopsisHumanity has long looked to the sky and marvelled at the world around us. We''ve wondered why the world is the way it is and whether it has to be that way. For millennia these questions were theological, transitioning to philosophical during the Enlightenment, but the discipline that now drives progress is science. We now look forward, hoping to make additional connections and create a better understanding of the ultimate laws of nature. We dream of a time when we have developed a theory of everything--a theory that answers all questions.There is so much that we don''t know. This book is up front about our ignorance and spends some time dispelling some of the more popular theories. It then redirects the reader''s attention to how we will actually move forward, by identifying things we don''t yet understand and engaging with the experiments that will drive our comprehension.Einstein''s Unfinished Dream explores the cutting-edge research of modern particle physicists that pushes us slowly towards a theory of everything. Marshalling decades of experience in distilling high-level scientific concepts, Lincoln invites readers into the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy, matter/antimatter asymmetry, quark and lepton flavor, and other phenomena that have puzzled humanity for centuries.Trade ReviewThis book is an eminently readable overview of the quest for unification that goes back at least to Newton...Highly recommended. All readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsForeword Chapter 1: God's Thoughts Chapter 2: Current Knowledge Chapter 3: Failed and Incomplete Theories Chapter 4: Dark Matter Chapter 5: Dark Energy Chapter 6: Missing Antimatter Chapter 7: Ultimate Building Blocks Chapter 8: The Future Epilogue Suggested Reading

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Book SynopsisGalileo and Kepler dreamed of the possibility of space exploration, although its reality was later underappreciated and even challenged by social, ideological, and scientific critics as a diversion from our problems on Earth. The Dimming of Starlight tells the fascinating stories of how space exploration places us in unusual situations that force us to come up with new ideas about nature. This strong connection between scientific exploration and scientific change makes us aware of a new panorama of problems, dangers, and opportunities that leads to new solutions and technologies that would have been unimaginable under old perspectives. Thus, the exploration of Venus led to the discovery of the destruction of Earth''s Ozone layer. This discovery will save hundreds of millions of lives in the coming centuries. As we explore space, we learn to protect our planet from catastrophe, and all the while we change drastically our ideas about the nature of the universe. With its account of serendTrade ReviewA handful of philosophers can write effectively for a broad audience. The same holds true for scientists. Gonzalo Munévar can do both, showing an audience that has little prior knowledge of either philosophy or space exploration why both fields are important, and how these seemingly disparate enterprises can work together to help us decide how aggressively to pursue some of the greatest mysteries we face today." - Douglas Vakoch, President, METI InternationalThere is no doubt that in the third decade of the 21st century, the idea of advanced and long-term space exploration, especially human missions, requires a wise and comprehensive justification. Such wise and comprehensive justification is an extremely difficult art. Repeating general cliches today is no longer enough. This art of philosophical, in-depth justification for space exploration has been perfectly succeeded by Gonzalo Munévar." - Konrad Szocik, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow

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Book SynopsisContemporary science presents us with the remarkable theory that the universe began to exist about fifteen billion years ago with a cataclysmic explosion called `the Big Bang''. The question of whether Big Bang cosmology supports theism or atheism has long been a matter of discussion among the general public and in popular science books, but has received scant attention from philosophers. This book sets out to fill this gap by means of a sustained debate between two philosophers, William Lane Craig and Quentin Smith, who defend opposing positions. Craig argues that the Big Bang that began the universe was created by God, while Smith argues that the Big Bang has no cause. The book consists of alternating chapters by Craig and Smith, with each chapter being either a criticism of a preceding chapter or being criticized by a subsequent chapter. Part One consists of Craig''s arguments that the past is necessarily finite and that God created the Big Bang, and Smith''s criticisms of these argTrade Review'stimulating book ... The discussions take full account of recent scientific developments in cosmology and quantum gravity, and are articulated with great philosophical sophistication. They have raised the discussion to a higher though somewhat less accessible place than is to tbe found in numerous popular accounts of modern cosmology.' Peter E. Hodgson, Oxford University, International Philosophical QuarterlyThe book represents a bold attempt to open a new discussion in philosophy of science (and religion). The breadth of the debate is impressive ... The book contains much of interest, not merely to philosophers, but also to scientists and theologians. * International Studies in the Philosophy of Science *Until the publication of this volume, there has been no easily accessible single volume offering a well-informed technical discussion of the issues involved ... It is very clearly written. Readers need not be daunted by pages of mathematical and logical symbols. The most technical parts may be omitted without losing the thread of the argument and the authors have helpfully provided non-technical appendices to assist the non-mathematicians among their readers. Also very helpful are the comprehensive footnotes that make this book an invaluable tool for anyone who is seriously interested in these questions ... this volume will be a stimulus to a great deal more careful thought on these matters. * Theology in Green *Craig and Smith have...produced one of the most important, interesting, and illuminating...treatises in the philosophy of religion that has appeared in print for many years. * International Journal for Philosophy of Religion *An exhaustive examination of the argument for and against the existence of God in the light cast upon this conflict of thought by modern knowledge of the Universe ... a medium of profound thought. * Bible Study Monthly *This book is an important and intriguing debate between Craig, an unshakable theist, and Smith who is equally firm in his unbelief. A brief review can do nothing like justice to the richness of Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. Perhaps the book's most striking feature is the amount of pioneering work it contains. Remarkably few philosophers discuss cosmology's implications for theism. * John Leslie, University of Guelph, Zygon, June 1996 *The focus of the volume is quite sharp ... thanks to some good adaptations and the fact that Craig and Smith sometimes engaged each other in the original articles. * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *A fascinating book. There is much wisdom in preparing a book in which two scholars interact from differing points of view ... I highly recommend this book to intelligent readers interested in the origin of the universe. * Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith *Those frustrated with the many apparently intransigent philosophical unclarities surrounding the issue of the status of big bang cosmology as evidence for a creator will be delighted to read this volume. * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *

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Book SynopsisRelativistic cosmology has in recent years become one of the most active and exciting branches of research, often considered to be today where particle physics was forty years ago, with major discoveries just waiting to happen. Consequently the part most affected by this second edition is the last part on cosmology. But there are additions, improvements, and new exercises throughout. _ The book''s basic purpose is unchanged. It is to make relativity come alive conceptually, and to display the grand theoretical edifice that it is, with consequences in many branches of physics. The emphasis is on the foundations, on the logical subtleties, and on presenting the necessary mathematics - including differential geometry and tensors - but always as late and in as palatable a form as possible. Aided by over 300 exercises, the book seeks to promote an in-depth understanding, and the confidence to tackle any basic problem in relativity.Trade ReviewRindler's writing is elegant, yet compact and logically precise. ... this book should be on the shelf of all who are intrigued by the startling modern advances in our understanding of space and time. * American Journal of Physics *An outstanding introductory treatise by one of the masters of the subject, this book belongs to the shelves of every physics library. * Foundations of Physics *... a self-contained and balanced work. Every sentence hits home, and no word is superfluous. Each chapter ends with a set of well-chosen and instructive exercises. ... it exposes the reader to the physics with inspiring and occasionally surprising arguments. ... a totally successful textbook and a must for all who study special and general relativity. * Physik Journal *... a first-class presentation of the intellectual glory of the first century of relativity. * Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; PART I: SPECIAL RELATIVITY; PART II: GENERAL RELATIVITY; PART III: COSMOLOGY

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Book SynopsisGravity is one of the four fundamental interactions that exist in nature. It also has the distinction of being the oldest, weakest, and most difficult force to quantize. Understanding gravity is not only essential for understanding the motion of objects on Earth, but also the motion of all celestial objects, and even the expansion of the Universe itself. It was the study of gravity that led Einstein to his profound realisations about the nature of space and time. Gravity is not only universal, it is also essential for understanding the behaviour of the Universe, and all astrophysical bodies within it. In this Very Short Introduction Timothy Clifton looks at the development of our understanding of gravity since the early observations of Kepler and Newtonian theory. He discusses Einstein''s theory of gravity, which now supplants Newton''s, showing how it allows us to understand why the frequency of light changes as it passes through a gravitational field, why GPS satellites need their clocks corrected as they orbit the Earth, and why the orbits of distant neutron stars speed up. Today, almost 100 years after Einstein published his theory of gravity, we have even detected the waves of gravitational radiation that he predicted. Clifton concludes by considering the testing and application of general relativity in astrophysics and cosmology, and looks at dark energy and efforts such as string theory to combine gravity with quantum mechanics.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewwell worth reading * Physics Education *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAstrophysics is the physics of the stars, and more widely the physics of the Universe. It enables us to understand the structure and evolution of planetary systems, stars, galaxies, interstellar gas, and the cosmos as a whole. In this Very Short Introduction, the leading astrophysicist James Binney shows how the field of astrophysics has expanded rapidly in the past century, with vast quantities of data gathered by telescopes exploiting all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, combined with the rapid advance of computing power, which has allowed increasingly effective mathematical modelling. He illustrates how the application of fundamental principles of physics - the consideration of energy and mass, and momentum - and the two pillars of relativity and quantum mechanics, has provided insights into phenomena ranging from rapidly spinning millisecond pulsars to the collision of giant spiral galaxies. This is a clear, rigorous introduction to astrophysics for those keen to cut their teeth on a conceptual treatment involving some mathematics.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readableTrade Reviewan enjoyably easy read, and a long way from being a stodgy textbook - I mean, what textbook would tell you the Galaxy contains 'zillions of dark-matter particles'? * Andrew May, Popular Science *Table of ContentsFURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe marvellous complexity of the Universe emerges from several deep laws and a handful of fundamental constants that fix its shape, scale, and destiny. Peter Atkins identifies the minimum decisions that would be needed for the Universe to behave as it does, arguing that the laws of Nature can spring from very little. Or perhaps from nothing at all.Trade ReviewAtkins writes in a clear and humorous manner for the lay reader. Dont skip the notes at the end of the book. Some real gems are hidden there ... Recommended for undergraduates and general readers. * CHOICE *This short volume is essential reading for anyone who balks at the mention of Schrödinger, equations and cats included... Atkins sweeps aside the mathematical mystique with his characteristic wit. * Zoe Hackett, Chemistry World *Tour de force... this is a compact 168 pages that delivers splendidly on the question of where the natural laws came from. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.com *It's rare to find a study of physical laws that is also a bravura display of rarefied humour and experiential depth; but such is this gem by chemist Peter Atkins. * Barbara Kiser, Nature *I enjoyed reading the book, not only for the main themes but also for several asides on history, etymology, and so on. * Phillip Helbig, Observatory Magazine *Atkins writes in a charming, even chummy way. He understands our confusion and leads us onwards with the promise of great insights: how the very laws of physics came to be ... Conjuring the Universe is a clear example of [Atkins's] extraordinary erudition and flair. * Robyn Williams, Australian Book Review *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Back to eternity 2: Much ado about nothing 3: Anarchy rules 4: The heat of the moment 5: Beyond anacrhy 6: The creative power of ignorance 7: The charge of the light brigade 8: Measure for measure 9: The cry from the depths Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisJim Baggott sets out the scientific story of creation - 13.8 billion years from the Big Bang to human consciousness, via the origins of space and time, mass and light, stars, the habitable earth, and life itself. From astrophysics to biology, the whole inspiring picture is here.Trade ReviewJim Baggot has impressive mastery, not just of the physics and chemistry, but also of the other sciences that play roles in this story. The story this book tells is compelling, well written, and satisfying. * Richard A. Richards, The Quarterly Review of Biology *Jim Baggott's Origins... recount[s] the greatest story ever told: the evolution of the Universe since the Big Bang. This rich crossdisciplinary tale reminds us that astronomy, physics, chemistry, geoscience, biology and neuro science are interconnected. Baggott takes the reader on a linear, 13.8-billion-year journey. His ... treatment abounds with excellent visuals. At its best, Origins reminds me of Richard Holmes's marvellous The Age of Wonder ... Sweeping scope and detailed description ... [Baggott] reminds us that big questions remain in this most wonderful scientific adventure. * Michael S. Turner, Nature *Origins should be on everyone's bookshelves, whether or not they are a devotee of popular science. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *Origins is so clearly written, so engaging, so thought-provoking, that it wouldn't surprise me if it inspires a new generation to take up science. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *this guided tour through space, mass, time and energy is spectacular * Saga *an impressive scientific tour-de-force, and a book which is perhaps itself a unique creation * Chemistry & Industry *this book is a real tour de force ... it is exceptionally well informed and well written * Network Review *The collective mind of humanity has made extraordinary progress in its quest to understand how the current richness of the physical world has emerged, and Baggott with his characteristic lucidity and erudition, has provided an enthralling account of this wonderful and still unfolding intellectual journey. * Peter Atkins *Table of ContentsPreface 1: In the 'Beginning': The Origin of Space, Time and Energy 2: Breaking the Symmetry: The Origin of Mass 3: The Last Scattering Surface: The Origin of Light 4: Setting the Firmament Alight: The Origin of Stars and Galaxies 5: Synthesis: The Origin of Chemical Complexity 6: Sol: The Origin of the Sun and its Planets 7: Terra Firma: The Origin of a Habitable Earth 8: The Cosmic Imperative: The Origin of Life 9: Symbiosis 10: A Song of Ice and Fire: The Origin of Species 11: The Human Stain: The Origin of Humanity 12: Cogito Ergo Sum: The Origin of Human Consciousness Epilogue Appendix: Powers of Ten Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNot long ago, the Solar System was the only example of a planetary system - a star and the bodies orbiting it - that we knew. Now, we know thousands of planetary systems, and have even been able to observe planetary systems at the moment of their birth. This Very Short Introduction explores this new frontier, incorporating the latest research. The book takes the reader on a journey through the grand sweep of time, from the moment galaxies begin to form after the Big Bang to trillions of years in the future when the Universe will be a dilute soup of dim galaxies populated mostly by red dwarf stars. Throughout, Raymond T. Pierrehumbert introduces the latest insights gained from a new generation of telescopes that catch planetary systems at the moment of formation, and to the theoretical advances that attempt to make sense of these observations. He explains how the elements that make up life and the planets on which life can live are forged in the interiors of dying stars, and make their way into rocky planets. He also explores the vast array of newly discovered planets orbiting stars other than our own, and explains the factors that determine their climates. Finally, he reveals what determines how long planetary systems can live, and what happens in their end-times. Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewNamed by the Lunar and Planetary Institute as a 'New and Noteworthy' book. * Lunar and Planetary Institute *Table of Contents1: Beginnings 2: Creation revealed 3: Beautiful theories, ugly facts 4: What are planets made of? 5: A grand tour of exoplanets 6: Planetary climate and habitability 7: How it all ends Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe last years have seen a symbiosis of the fields of elementary particle physics and the astrophysics of the early universe. This text presents the background of the subjects and the latest developments at a level suitable for final year undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The first chapters cover the properties and interactions of elementary particles followed by discussion of the early universe, including inflation, dark matter and dark energy, and the growth of the galactic structure. The final chapters discuss cosmic rays and particle physics in the stars. The close relation between particle interactions and large scale development of the cosmos is a constant theme in the text, with emphasis on the interplay between experiment and theory. This book is an enlarged and updated version of the first edition published five years ago. In a rapidly evolving field, emphasis has of course been placed on the most recent developments. However, the opportunity has also been taken Trade ReviewThe real strength of this book lies in the linking particle physics with astrophysics, right from the start. I would especially reccommend this book for senior students. * Astronomy & Space *Table of ContentsPART 1; PART 2; PART 3

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Book SynopsisWill we ever discover a single scientific theory that tells us everything that has happened, and everything that will happen, on every level in the Universe? The quest for the theory of everything - a single key that unlocks all the secrets of the Universe - is no longer a pipe-dream, but the focus of some of our most exciting research about the structure of the cosmos. But what might such a theory look like? What would it mean? And how close are we to getting there? In New Theories of Everything, John D. Barrow describes the ideas and controversies surrounding the ultimate explanation. Updating his earlier work Theories of Everything with the very latest theories and predictions, he tells of the M-theory of superstrings and multiverses, of speculations about the world as a computer program, and of new ideas of computation and complexity. But this is not solely a book about modern ideas in physics - Barrow also considers and reflects on the philosophical and cultural consequences of thTrade ReviewReview from previous edition A fascinating journey... Barrow gets right down to fundamental issues in addressing this central question in modern science. * Kirkus Reviews *A fine book. * John Gribbin, The Independent *A worthwhile update. * Amanda Gefter, New Scientist *A highly rewarding intellectual adventure. * Jim Al-Khalili, Focus *Table of Contents1. Ultimate Explanation ; 2. Laws ; 3. Initial Conditions ; 4. Forces and Particles ; 5. Constants of Nature ; 6. Broken Symmetries ; 7. Organizing Principles ; 8. Selection Effects ; 9. Pi in the Sky ; Bibliography and Index

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction to Einstein's general theory of relativity. A "physics-first" approach is adopted so that interesting applications come before the more difficult task of solving the Einstein equation. The book includes extensive coverage of cosmology, and is designed to allow readers to study the subject alone.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This is a great time to have published a fresh new undergraduate text on relativity and cosmology...this is an excellent textbook which this reviewer would rate as the text of choice for a course on relativity and cosmology aimed at physics and astronomy undergraduates. * American Journal of Physics *Table of ContentsI: PRELIMINARIES; II: RELATIVITY - METRIC DESCRIPTION OF SPACETIME; III: COSMOLOGY; IV: RELATIVITY - FULL TENSOR FORMULATION

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Book SynopsisDurham and Purrington approach the history of the universe by exploring the frontiers of physics, while maintaining a long-standing interest in astronomy and cosmology. They stress that man can not fully understand himself until he understands the universe, of which he is a part.Trade Review"The authors have chosen to follow the history of cosmological ideas from ancient to modern times at a level suitable for non-specialist college courses and general reading...Yet, the clarity of presentation and the engaging style make this an enjoyable book for any scientist to read." NatureTable of ContentsPreface Overview Earliest Awareness First Astronomy The Fountainhead Synthesis Orb in Orb Medieval Europe Copernican Revolution 1 Copernican Revolution 2 Galileo Galilei Newtonian Synthesis Widening Horizons: Einstein General Theory of Relativity Primeval Atom Gravitational Collapse Epilogue Appendix Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisExamines some of the most interesting aspects of the solar system, detailing how we unraveled the mystery of our world.

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Book SynopsisThis exploration of the physical universe explains fundamental concepts in a language that is accessible to anyone with little or no science background. It looks at the discoveries of science, the conservation of energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, gravity and thermodynamics.Trade ReviewA delightful, witty, informal, and wise guide to a sampling of essential principles, processes, and concepts of science. Skeptical InquirerTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of Figures Part I: Methods of Science 1. A Sentimental Journey to the Googolplex: A romp through numbers big and small 2. The Structure of Science: Behind the scenes of the scientific process 3. Measure for Pleasure: Measurement is the lifeblood of all science 4. The Confused Person's Guide to Astronomical Jargon: Names and words that do not always mean what they say Part II: Some Unifying Ideas in the Physical Universe 5. Center of Mass: You will never leave home without it 6. Energy: Where it comes from and where it goes 7. The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The world of light 8. Shapes of Radiation: Why blue-hot is hotter than red-hot 9. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: The most unifying concept in all astronomy 10. Highlights from the Periodic Table of the Elements: Some of your best friends are composed of elements Part III: Astronomy Is Looking Up 11. Menagerie: A cynic's guide to the constellations 12. Horrorscope: An astronomer's rebuttal 13. Celestial Windings: Making sense of heavenly motions Suggested Reading Index

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Book SynopsisWhat is life? Where did it come from? How can understanding the origins of life on Earth help us understand the origins of the universe, and vice versa? This book addresses the beginning of things - of the universe, matter, stars, and planetary systems, and finally, of life itself.Trade Review[Lurquin] treats competing theories with an even hand and skillfully weaves together topics in cosmology, genetics and biology... thought-provoking. Publishers Weekly For readers with an interest in the astronomical and physical sciences and the origination of life. -- B. F. Northeastern NaturalistTable of ContentsFoundations of the Universe Building a Universe Life as It Is Today Prebiotic Earth: First Organic Compounds and First Informational Molecules Life on Its Way Has Life Originated Elsewhere and Will It End?

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Book SynopsisExplaining discoveries and a range of advanced ideas and theories, this book provides a creative and coherent synthesis of scientific thinking on the universe's beginnings. It takes us on a tour of the seven ages of the cosmos, from the formless era of radiation through the origins of human culture.Trade ReviewHis writing is clear and his overview will both educate and entertain the average reader. Publishers Weekly Greatly appealing for exuding the scientific spirit that asks not merely what things exist but why they exist. Booklist In clear prose, Chaisson simplifies complex subjects. -- Gary Budzak Columbus Dispatch A vivid picture... Even the most knowledgeable of readers can learn... This is one epic I can recommend without hesitation. -- Bill Barlow Astronomy Now A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I recommend it highly. Science Books and Film A current and coherent exploration of ideas. Northeastern NaturalistTable of ContentsPreface Prologue: Cosmological Overview 1. Particle Epoch: Simplicity Fleeting 2. Galactic Epoch: Hierarchy of Structures 3. Stellar Epoch: Forges for Elements 4. Planetary Epoch: Habitats for Life 5. Chemical Epoch: Matter Plus Energy 6. Biological Epoch: Complexity Sustained 7. Cultural Epoch: Intelligence to Technology Epilogue: A Whole New Era Further Reading Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisQuarks to Culture explores the rhythm within what Tyler Volk calls the "grand sequence," a series of levels of sizes and innovations building from elementary quanta to globalized human civilization. The key is "combogenesis," the building-up from combination and integration to produce new things with innovative relations.Trade ReviewIt's hard to convey the excitement of what Tyler Volk has achieved in Quarks to Culture. Here we have well-chosen words, in crystal-clear paragraphs, combining to form compelling chapters, all of which add up to a convincing account of where we humans fit in the grand scheme of things. Volk is, in short, a systems thinker. Few writers could have written such a book as this. -- Liam Heneghan, DePaul University There are many books that attempt to build grand theories of everything. This is among the best. Volk has the breadth of intellect, the insatiable curiosity, the scientific rigor, and the philosophical depth to wander so widely. He does so with both creativity and wonder, yielding a provocative thesis-combogenesis-that is boldly innovative and metaphorically evocative, while tempered by humility and open-mindedness. -- Mitchell Thomashow, author of Ecological Identity: Becoming a Reflective Environmentalist Science advances at so fast a rate nowadays that few scholars can arrive at a big-picture understanding of the universe. Not so for Volk, who takes us on a fascinating ride from quarks to culture, explaining how the cosmos levels up at each stage, not by differentiation but by integration of existing things. A must-read for anyone interested in metapatterns and major transitions. -- Nathalie Gontier, University of Lisbon Tyler Volk has a marvelous talent for synthesizing scientific knowledge from a broad range of fields into a single all-encompassing vision, which he imparts with wit and poetic grace. Quarks to Culture, which highlights deep, recurring patterns in the structure of the cosmos, will help us see our wondrous world anew. -- John Horgan, director, Center for Science Writings, Stevens Institute of Technology Tyler Volk has written a splendid book that will engage many across divides of knowledge and worldviews. Comprehensive and thought-provoking, it offers a compelling narrative of a vision forward for humans and nature. -- Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University, coauthor of Journey of the Universe Quarks to Culture is a must-read. It weaves the myriad patterns of universe, life, and consciousness into a wonderful new tapestry. Volk combines scientific rigor and love for the humanities into a gentle, no-nonsense, full-of-facts, passionately well-written, fundamental new guide to help us better see ourselves in this ever-changing world. -- Francesco Tubiello, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization The identification of a universal principle-combogenesis-allows one to see the early history of the universe and the evolution of life and the evolution of human civilization through the same lens. An interesting, holistic way of viewing human history back to the origin of the universe. -- John Mayfield, author of The Engine of ComplexityTable of ContentsPreface Part I. Combogenesis and a Grand Sequence 1. Natural Chapters and Nested Scales 2. The Core Theme: Combogenesis Part II. Twelve Fundamental Levels 3. A Big Bang Start of Things and Relations 4. The Nucleons, with Immortal Proton and Fragile Neutron 5. Atomic Nuclei from Mutual Aid 6. Atoms with Space-Filling, Electric Mandalas 7. An Expanding Cornucopia of Molecules 8. Simple Cells Launch Life and Evolution 9. The Sexy Eukaryotic Cell 10. Multiple Ramps to the Complex Multicellular Organism 11. Animal Social Groups Wild with Possibilities 12. Tribal Metagroups and Cultural Evolution 13. Transplantable Agrovillages 14. Geopolitical States, Masters of Acquisition and Merger Part III. Dynamical Realms and Themes 15. Dynamical Realms and Their Base Levels 16. Alphakits: Atomic, Genetic, Linguistic 17. Themes in Evolutionary Dynamics 18. Convergent Themes of Combogenesis Epilogue: What About the Future? Acknowledgments Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDunkley must be one of the youngest and brainiest female astrophysics professors on the planet ... As Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University, Dunkley researches the history of the universe, how space is changing, what stars are made of and the nature of dark matter. Her book is an attempt to simplify this enormously complex subject and, written in a style not unlike Carlo Rovelli's bestselling Seven Brief Laws on Physics, there are no equations, no maths and relatively little jargon -- Kate Law * Evening Standard *This luminous guide to the cosmos encapsulates myriad discoveries. Astrophysicist Jo Dunkley swoops from Earth to the observable limits, then explores stellar life cycles, dark matter, cosmic evolution and the soup-to-nuts history of the Universe. No less a thrill are her accounts of tenth-century Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, twentieth- and twenty-first-century researchers Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Vera Rubin, and many more. * Nature *Dunkley is a natural communicator and her book is a model of clarity * Mail on Sunday *Jo Dunkley is an internationally acclaimed cosmologist. She is also a fine expositor, and this book splendidly conveys what we've learnt about the universe, and the exhilarating progress we can expect in coming decades. -- Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal of Great BritainA clear and comprehensible account of astronomers' current theories of the solar system and the universe. Authoritative, informative, and elegantly written. -- Ian Stewart, author of Calculating the CosmosThis book is simply superb - beautifully written and very clear. It incorporates all the major recent results, and indicates what might come from telescopes now being built. -- Jocelyn Bell Burnell, University of OxfordDunkley takes us on an electrifying journey through our universe, elegantly weaving together history and the latest scientific discoveries. On her way, she subtly restores all the forgotten women scientists to their rightful places in what has been a male-dominated story until now. -- Andrea Wulf, author of The Invention of NatureA grand overview of modern cosmology from one of the leaders in the field. Dunkley guides us through astronomical history, at every stage explaining the twists and turns and surprises, right up to the most recent discoveries. Readers will have a real appreciation of the most exciting developments in astrophysics of the last millennium, the last century, and the last year. -- Michael Strauss, Princeton UniversityJo Dunkley is an amiable guide to the universe, but there's no dawdling in this fast-paced tour. This slender volume whisks you from our own blue marble out to the edge of the universe and the beginning of time. Dunkley is especially good at explaining how the whispers from the Big Bang itself tell us about dark matter and dark energy and hint at its explosive origin in cosmic inflation. -- Robert P. Kirshner, Harvard UniversityA clear and comprehensible account of astronomers' current theories of the solar system and the universe. Authoritative, informative, and elegantly written. The simple analogies are especially engaging. -- Ian Stewart, author of Calculating the Cosmos

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Book SynopsisPacked with striking photography, Eyewitness Universe explores the incredible celestial bodies in our Solar System.Become an eyewitness to outer space and beyond, in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of the Universe. Children will be mesmerised by how past, present, and future space exploration has helped our understanding of the Sun, our Solar System, rocky planets, gas giants, and explosive stars.This beautifully illustrated guide for kids aged 9+ gives an insight into far-off galaxies and out-of-this-world objects captured by powerful space telescopes. Striking photographs and detailed illustrations help you learn the secrets of pulsars and black holes, and how they are created by dead stars.Throughout the pages of this newly-revised book on fossils, you can expect to find: - A fresh new look; new photographs, updated information, and a new eyewitness feature.- Amazing facts, updated diagr

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Book SynopsisForeword writer Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, where she studies the growth of supermassive black holes. She hosts the award-winning YouTube channel Dr Becky.

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Book SynopsisIn Our Mathematical Universe, Max Tegmark, one of the most original physicists at work today, leads us on an astonishing journey to explore the mysteries uncovered by cosmology and to discover the nature of realityPart-history of the cosmos, part-intellectual adventure, Our Mathematical Universe travels from the Big Bang to the distant future via parallel worlds, across every possible scale - from the sub-atomic to the intergalactic - showing how mathematics provides the answers to our questions about the world. Where do we come from? What makes the universe the way it is? In essence, why are we here? With dazzling clarity, Max Tegmark ponders these deep mysteries and allows us to grasp the most cutting-edge and mind-boggling theories of physics. What he proposes is an elegant and fascinating idea: that our physical world not only is described by mathematics, but that it is mathematics. ''Our Mathematical Universe is nothing if not impressive. Brilliantly argued and beautifully written, it is never less than thought-provoking about the greatest mysteries of our existence'' - New York Times ''An amazing ride through the rich landscape of contemporary cosmology... Physics could do with more characters like Tegmark... an imaginative intellect and a charismatic presence'' - Clive Cookson, Financial Times Max Tegmark is author or co-author of more than 200 technical papers, twelve of which have been cited more than 500 times. He has featured in dozens of science documentaries, and his work with the SDSS collaboration on galaxy clustering shared the first prize in Science magazine''s Breakthrough of the Year: 2003. He holds a Ph.D from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a physics professor at MIT.Trade ReviewOur Mathematical Universe is nothing if not impressive. Brilliantly argued and beautifully written, it is never less than thought-provoking about the greatest mysteries of our existence * New York Times *An amazing ride through the rich landscape of contemporary cosmology... Physics could do with more characters like Tegmark... an imaginative intellect and a charismatic presence -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *Tegmark is one of the rock gods of cosmology, a select group of thinkers who are using their mathematical prowess to tear up all our cherished notions about the universe, and replace it with a cosmos that is so bewilderingly weird that it makes the plot of most science-fiction novels look like an Ikea instruction leaflet * Telegraph *Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark - one of the world's leading theoretical physicists - guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it's right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered -- Brian Greene

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Book Synopsis''Extraordinary'' Leonard Susskind''A rare event'' Sean Carroll_____When leading theoretical physicist Professor Michael Dine was asked where you could find an accessible and authoritative book that would teach you about the Big Bang, Dark Matter, the Higgs boson and the cutting edge of physics now, he had nothing he could recommend.So he wrote it himself.In This Way to the Universe, Dine takes us on a fascinating tour through the history of modern physics - from Newtonian mechanics to quantum, from particle to nuclear physics - delving into the wonders of our universe at its largest, smallest, and within our daily lives. If you are looking for the one book to help you understand physics, written in language anyone can follow, this is it._____''A tour de force of literally all of fundamental physics'' BBC Sky at Night magazine''Everything you wanted to know about physics but were afraid to ask'' Priyamvada NatarajaTrade ReviewThis book is a rare event: a grand overview of the leading ideas in modern fundamental physics, presented by someone who is a true master -- Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to HereThis book, written by one of the great masters of modern physics, is an extraordinary journey into what we know, what we hope to know, and what we don't know, about the universe and the laws that govern it -- Leonard Susskind, author of The Theoretical Minimum seriesIt is not an easy task to take the complexities of theoretical physics . . . and translate it into common prose. It is even more difficult to make it accessible to the lay enthusiast. The author has done an admirable job and hasn't shirked away from many of the more difficult and arcane topics. As a comprehensive and uncompromising tour de force of literally all of fundamental physics, there can be few better alternatives * BBC Sky at Night magazine *Renowned physicist Michael Dine takes us from the innards of the atom to the depths of black holes in this readable . . . celebration of science's most mind-bending discipline. The text is conversational and full of delightful asides . . . Dine's enthusiastic storytelling makes the read worth it for those who want to finally wrap their mind around string theory or the Higgs boson -- Tess Joosse * Scientific American *Michael Dine takes the reader on a fascinating and wide-ranging tour of the world of physics, both theoretical and experimental, emphasizing the remarkable discoveries that make up modern physics and the daunting challenges that remain. Dine is a leader in theoretical physics and tells the story of the last few decades based on his own personal experiences and involvement -- Edward Witten, theoretical physicist and professor at the Institute for Advanced StudyEverything you wanted to know about physics but were afraid to ask. This Way to the Universe is a fascinating and sweeping tour of the history of ideas in modern physics and cosmology from a remarkable theoretical physicist and engaging storyteller. A riveting read, the book offers a ringside view to many of the latest theoretical and experimental developments from a key protagonist. A treat for the intellectually curious -- Priyamvada Natarajan, author of Mapping the HeavensDine delivers a detailed, if often sceptical, account of the great questions and often unsatisfactory answers to problems in astro- and quantum physics, examining such topics as the Big Bang, inflation theory, galaxy formation, black holes, dark matter and energy, string theory, and supersymmetry . . . Excellent popular science * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Extremely well researched. . . . According to Natarajan, the word 'universe' may be on the verge of its most radical redefinition yet."—Marcus Chown, Times Higher Education"I am studying the big picture as thrillingly projected in Mapping the Heavens, a strikingly lucid account of the expansion, not just of the universe, but of the way we have tried to understand it, from the Babylonians to black holes and dark matter."—Richard Holmes, "By the Book," New York Times Book Review"By introducing the major players behind each discovery, Natarajan adds a lively human touch to her discussion, reinforcing the dynamism of a field that 'fans human curiosity and is driven by it as well.'"—Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Natarajan bring a philosophical and well-informed historical depth to [her topic], consistently tying them in the theme of her passion for mapping. . . . She deals with subjects that are extremely complex but makes them very clear, and the book is packed with well-researched facts."—Hazel Muir, BBC Sky at Night"Mapping the Heavens is more than a simple skip through the development of the understanding of our universe. It maps, using both allegorical and literal maps, the change in man’s perception of the universe. . . . Exciting stuff."—Colin How, Methodist Recorder"A tour de force of the cosmos . . . an instructive and thought-provoking exploration of the connections, tensions and mishaps that so often accompany scientific venture."—Lionel London, Physics WorldWon an Honorable Mention in the Cosmology and Astronomy category for the 2017 American Publishers Awards for Professional & Scholarly Excellence (PROSE)Priyamvada Naterajan is the winner of the 2018 Gustav Ranis International Book Prize for Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas that Reveal the Cosmos."Mapping the Heavens gives a highly readable, insider's view of recent discoveries in astronomy with unusual attention to the instruments used and the human drama of the scientists."—Alan Lightman, author of The Accidental Universe and Einstein's Dream"This excellent book describes the boisterous debates and hard slog whereby our current understanding of the cosmos has emerged. It's especially welcome as a faithful portrayal of how science is actually done."—Martin Rees, author of Just Six Numbers"Priyamvada Natarajan’s love affair with the heavens began in childhood, continues with her notable work in astrophysics, and is now enhanced with this insightful overview of the hottest topics in astronomy today—including black holes, dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets. Moreover, she traces how these ideas struggled to get accepted, providing the reader with an excellent peek at how science gets done."—Marcia Bartusiak, author of Black Hole and The Day We Found the Universe"Part history, part science, all illuminating. If you want to understand the greatest ideas that shaped our current cosmic cartography, read this book."—Adam G. Riess, Nobel Laureate in Physics, 2011"Here is an authoritative guide to the major cosmological breakthroughs of the past century. Natarajan writes as an accomplished guide to contemporary astronomy including dark matter and dark energy."—Owen Gingerich, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics“Priyamvada Natarajan is a professor of physics and astronomy at Yale, who has spent her life investigating dark matter, dark energy and black holes. In Mapping the Heavens, she stands back and presents a broad picture of our slow advance in measuring and then interpreting the complexity of the universe… Considering humanity in relation to the universe, Natarajan explains that we have very little idea of where we are going. She asks us to adapt Galileo’s perspective – he was the first to prove that the Moon was mountainous, and to measure the mountain heights, but was certainly incapable of predicting that a mere 360 years later we would walk on its surface or return home with suitcases of lunar material.”—David W. Hughes, TLS -- David W. Hughes * TLS *

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Book SynopsisCovering 13.8 billion years in some 100 pages, a calculatedly concise, wryly intelligent history of everything, from the Big Bang to the advent of human civilization With wonder, wit, and flairand in record time and spacegeophysicist David Bercovici explains how everything came to be everywhere, from the creation of stars and galaxies to the formation of Earth's atmosphere and oceans, to the origin of life and human civilization. Bercovici marries humor and legitimate scientific intrigue, rocketing readers across nearly fourteen billion years and making connections between the essential theories that give us our current understanding of topics as varied as particle physics, plate tectonics, and photosynthesis. Bercovici's unique literary endeavor is a treasure trove of real, compelling science and fascinating history, providing both science lovers and complete neophytes with an unforgettable introduction to the fields of cosmology, geology, genetics, climate science, human evolution, aTrade Review"A sort of greatest hits package of the history of the universe."—How It Works"The author writes with a light touch and a gift for explaining complex science in understandable terms. If you find scientific conversations going over your head, then this is for you."—Chris Nancollas, The TabletIncluded on the 2017 Best Book List by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)"Clear, concise, comprehensive, and written with verve and a sense of humor, The Origins of Everything is a delightful journey through time from the big bang to the present day."—Doug Macdougall, author of Frozen Earth"You cannot help but love Bercovici for unfolding the story of the universe in what feels like a friendly conversation over a glass of wine. His self-effacing humor belies a world-class depth of expertise."—Linda Elkins-Tanton, director of School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University"We are stardust. David Bercovici's 'pocket guide' to the Universe unpacks that beautiful truth and explains what made our planet special. Here are one hundred pages that are rich with discovery and perspective."—Sean B. Carroll, author of The Serengeti Rules

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos tackles perhaps the most mind-bending question in modern physics and cosmology: Is our universe the only universe?There was a time when universe meant all there is. Everything. Yet, a number of theories are converging on the possibility that our universe may be but one among many parallel universes populating a vast multiverse. Here, Briane Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, takes us on a breathtaking journey to a multiverse comprising an endless series of big bangs, a multiverse with duplicates of every one of us, a multiverse populated by vast sheets of spacetime, a multiverse in which all we consider real are holographic illusions, and even a multiverse made purely of math--and reveals the reality hidden within each.Using his trademark wit and precision, Greene presents a thrilling survey of cutting-edge physics and confronts the inevitable question:

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Book SynopsisIn his introduction to a revolutionary theory of the cosmos, Martin Bojowald shows how the big bang theory may give way to the big bounce theory, which describes our universe as an eternal series of expansions and contractions, with no beginning and no end. In 2000, Bojowald, then a twenty-seven-year-old postdoctoral student at Pennsylvania State University, used a relatively new theory called loop quantum gravity—a cunning combination of Einstein’s theory of gravity with quantum mechanics—to create a simple model of the universe. Loop quantum cosmology, or LQC, was born, and with it, a theory that managed to do something even Einstein’s general theory of relativity had failed to do—illuminate the very birth of the universe.

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