This enlightening, engaging look at the universe, the scientists who explore it, and the far-reaching implications of recent discoveries presents a...
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Aug 08, 2010
Bob
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This book is less engaging than Ferris' "Coming of Age in the Milky Way." There's less of a story here and more of a status report on the state of the science lying at the frontiers of cosmology (as of 1997). If there is one underlying theme to this book it is that we live in a quantum universe, but we have evolved in a world that is best understood in terms of classical physics. This helps explain why the discussion of cosmology is so challenging for the general reader. We try our
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Mar 26, 2011
Cassandra
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This book dates itself quite frequently. Which normally I would be very bothered by. But you could tell that the author was trying to stay current with his time and his writing was wonderful. It just amazes me how much cosmology has changed in ten years! He was so timid with inflation it was staggering. I wonder what the authors thoughts on the newer cyclical models are? What does he think about membranes and so forth? Who knows? It wasn't in question at the time. In fact a great deal of this bo
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Mar 10, 2009
Sarah
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Timothy Ferris's enthusiasm for space is infective. In Seeing in the Dark he wrote about his love of astronomy (and many others who share his love of it). In The Whole Shebang he tries to tackle the current state of our knowledge of life, the universe and everything. The title is also a delicious pun on the "big bang" and he has things to say about it too.
The Whole Shebang looks like a hefty book at first at 400 pages, but the last hundred are devoted to the end notes and b More...
The Whole Shebang looks like a hefty book at first at 400 pages, but the last hundred are devoted to the end notes and b More...
Mar 15, 2009
looooove science. I think that is so necessary to question things intelligently and to admit fault when a truth becomes a lie. This book is all about the history of science...lots of fun 'real life' stuff too, like one early astronomer died from a bladder explosion whilst drinking too much beer. I forever will believe that art and science search for the same truths from different directions....I also think I want to name a dog Kepler.
Aug 05, 2009
Nick
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Excellent primer on cosmology written for the layperson. If you want to know about our place in the Universe, read this book. I found his descriptions of the structure of the Universe fascinating. From our planet to the solar system, our galaxy, our group, so on and so forth it was incredible. He also explains how scientists know answers to questions about the age of the universe, how far stars are from us, etc.
I can't recommend it enough.
I can't recommend it enough.
Mar 09, 2011
Keith
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For those interested in the "big questions" of the universe, this is an excellent status on the answers so far. (Although it it now getting to be a bit old -- circa. 1997 -- it seems to have age well when I read it almost 14 years later.)
Some of it, honestly, went right over my head, but I highly recommend the chapters on dark matter, cosmic evolution, the big bang and quantum physics. Ferris is a very clear and entertaining writer.
If you're a curious person w More...
Some of it, honestly, went right over my head, but I highly recommend the chapters on dark matter, cosmic evolution, the big bang and quantum physics. Ferris is a very clear and entertaining writer.
If you're a curious person w More...
Jul 28, 2011
I listened to it at work, and it's amazingly thourough without being too lofty for a lowly art-major to understand. I recommend buying the book though, and I still might, that way I can mark what I want to research further.
Oct 07, 2011
Ivan
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Non-cosmologists having even a passing interest in cosmology may find the book as enjoyable as I did. The book presents a broad-ranging description of the state of cosmology. While doing that, it introduces the reader to many fascinating characters in physics and to their equally fascinating thinking, their competing ideas, and their controversies. Wonderful book!
Aug 07, 2011
Alan
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Good, but definitely not the best in its genre... I would definitely recommend "A Short History of Nearly Everything" to achieve the same goal.
May 28, 2009
Chris
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A terrific look at the self correcting nature of the scientific method and the competing hypothisis and theories about the structure of the universe.
Aug 09, 2011
H
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Provides a readable introduction to quantum mechanics, black holes etc. but his explanation on the grand structures of the universe was needlessly wordy and not as informing. A good introduction but Brian Greene is better.
Sep 08, 2010
Curtis
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A lot of this book went right over my head but what I was able to grasp was interesting.
Oct 31, 2009
Chip
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Fine prose, made me ponder instead of doubt - will enjoy reading again and again.
Feb 16, 2009
Jaime
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The book would have been a five if Ferris could keep the fluff to himself.
Mar 24, 2009
Asymmetrical
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There just wasn't anything here I didn't already know. Maybe that's not the author's fault, exactly. But I hope for more from nonfiction.
May 22, 2010
Gendou
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A fine introduction to astronomy.
Sufficient breadth but somewhat lacking in technical depth.
Delves into philosophy from time to time, and does so poorly.
Fun for me, since I loooove physics, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Sufficient breadth but somewhat lacking in technical depth.
Delves into philosophy from time to time, and does so poorly.
Fun for me, since I loooove physics, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Jul 30, 2008
Seems outdated from what little I know about current cosmology thinking, but still a fascinating book for someone like me who knows so little about the subject. I saw Timothy Ferris read at Powell's in Portland and the following discussion has stayed in my memory for almost ten years. I'm still amazed at the skill and understanding required for someone who does not have science training to write about scientific discovery.
Sep 17, 2007
Phil
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A neat book, up ther with Hawking's Brief History fo Time and Sagan's Cosmos, that helps the lay folk understand the big picture. Ferris adds a little something others don't however, and that is a sort of wit that makes one feel like you are discussing the universe over coffee and donuts.
Dec 16, 2009
kleeklaw
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really well written and entertaining. i like that there is a notes section in the end with the math and formulae instead of scattered throughout the book. it made the book less intimidating while providing a good starting point for further investigation into the nuts and bolts behind the science.
Dec 16, 2009
Megan
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A concise, yet fascinating account of the current state of knowledge regarding cosmology. The writing is very approachable, even for the non-mathematically inclined like myself.
Mar 20, 2008
deLille
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Just a wonderful, mind-bending book about what an incredible universe we live in. I loved this book and now wish I had taken more physics courses in college.
Aug 06, 2008
Kelly
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so far not the most well-written book on the subject I've read (which is not a good sign because it's not like I've read that many!)
Jun 02, 2011
Bettie
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Feb 08, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
