Description
Book SynopsisDavid J. Helfand reconstructs the history of the universe—back to its first microsecond 13.8 billion years ago—with the help of atoms.
Trade ReviewDavid Helfand is a distinguished scientist, specially acclaimed in the community for his skills as an expositor. These talents – along with his intellectual range – are manifest in this highly original and culture-spanning book which gathers and recounts diverse ways whereby scientific analysis can enrich historical understanding. Few people could have written
The Universal Timekeepers so well. It is fascinating, wide-ranging, and accessible; everyone should read it. -- Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal
David Helfand has composed a magical, epic dance of atoms that connects us all to each other, and to key events of the past, present, and future of Earth and the cosmos itself. The choreographers are the laws of the universe. The performers are the atoms themselves.
The Universal Timekeepers offers a cosmic perspective like no other. -- Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History
The Universal Timekeepers is a wonderful exploration that reveals how wispy atomic nuclei provide a powerful means for reconstructing history. Using engaging examples from art forgeries to the Shroud of Turin to the Big Bang itself, Helfand expertly ushers readers through the subtle science that vibrantly brings the past to life. -- Brian Greene, author of
The Elegant Universe and
Until the End of TimeHelfand will enthuse and educate readers about the marvelous applications of atomic and nuclear physics to learn about human and natural history. I had a blast reading this book. -- Jordy de Vries, University of Amsterdam
A work of outstanding and meticulous scholarship. An extraordinarily informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' study. * Midwest Book Review *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
1. Calling the Witnesses to History
2. Conceptualizing the Atom: From Philosophy to Science
3. The Atom: A Utilitarian View
4. The Elements: Our Complete Set of Blocks
5. Isotopes: Elemental Flavors
6. Radioactivity: The Imperturbable Clock
7. Stolen and Forged: Forensic Art History
8. The Carbon Clock: Pinning Down Dates
9. History Without Words: Lime and Lead and Poop
10. You Are What You Eat
11. Paleoclimate: Taking the Earth’s Temperature Long Ago
12. The Death of the Dinosaurs: An Atomic View
13. Evolution: From Meteorites to Cyanobacteria
14. What’s Up in the Air? Earth’s Evolving Atmosphere
15. Our Sun’s Birthday: The Solar System in Formation
16. Stardust Creation: Building the Building Blocks
17. In the Beginning
Epilogue: A Quark’s Tale
Glossary
Notes
Index
