According to a recent survey, the most popular question about science from the general public was: what came before the Big Bang? We all know on s...
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Feb 20, 2010
Keith
rated it: 
This book made me realize I'm the center of the Universe. And not just my "own little" one either, but the real thing. The Big Bang started right here.
Don't worry. You are also the center of the Universe, apparently.
I've long been completely fascinated by cosmology, the study of the fabric and origins of the universe, and consume several books on the subject every year. You're often reading, in these books, the same subject matter. Yet each writer brings in a sl More...
Don't worry. You are also the center of the Universe, apparently.
I've long been completely fascinated by cosmology, the study of the fabric and origins of the universe, and consume several books on the subject every year. You're often reading, in these books, the same subject matter. Yet each writer brings in a sl More...
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Oct 07, 2009
Terry
rated it:
Normally books of this type spend a profound amount of time on history of failed ideas sometimes taking up three quarters of the body. This gives such piffle maybe a dozen pages and only to the extent that it is necessary to say who the first person to thought of the notion of non-time or the size of the universe. The heft of the text is going over our best guesses of the origin of the universe and attacking the hegemony of the big bang. The author recognizes the efficacy, predictive power, a
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Mar 03, 2011
Jeffrey
rated it:
A very interesting look at the current state of cosmological theory. One thing I really like about this book is that the author is not afraid to challenge the inflationary Big Bang model. It does seem rather a kluge. String theory and M-theory get scrutinized as possibly unscientific as well, since they may be untestable. They also predict many different kinds of universes, not just the one we live in.
Even far out ideas such as the universe as simulation or hologram get a fair tr More...
Even far out ideas such as the universe as simulation or hologram get a fair tr More...
May 06, 2010
Stephanie
rated it: 
Frankly, this book alternately thrilled me and made me want to throw it against the wall. I’m pretty sure my husband is glad I’m finally done reading it because I’ll stop ranting at him about things I read in this book.
A few highlights:
Author Brian Clegg: “Science has no remit to comment on religion, nor should religion attempt to shape science...” (p. 5)
Me: Yes! I’ll spare you the details, but this is one of my favorite things to rant about.
Clegg: “[Sci More...
A few highlights:
Author Brian Clegg: “Science has no remit to comment on religion, nor should religion attempt to shape science...” (p. 5)
Me: Yes! I’ll spare you the details, but this is one of my favorite things to rant about.
Clegg: “[Sci More...
Oct 06, 2009
Brad
rated it:
This book provides a nice overview of past and present theories of the creation of the Universe, but I feel like I have been baited and switched. The title implies that the main theme is about what happened before the Big Bang, yet this is only sporadically addressed. I didn't learn much beyond what I have read in other books, but the author does an excellent job of conveying complex topics in an interesting manner. The more I read, the more I think that David Bohm's model of reality that thr
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Jun 08, 2010
Daniel
rated it:
Great book. Covered subject so someone like me (a math idiot) could understand the book. If you are just getting into astronomy this is a good place to start.
Apr 24, 2011
Martin
rated it: 
A little repetitive, and a little simplistic, although a decent overview of the current state of cosmology.
Aug 23, 2011
William
rated it:
Pop science, (reasonably) easy to understand. It makes sense of the competing theories on the origin of the universe, and makes some unexpected connections. Of course, it raises more questions than it answers, but there you go.
Feb 17, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This is deep stuff! It is taking me forever to read it. I am not even halfway through, and the book had to be returned so I'll have to finish it later. Interesting, but not a quick or easy read.
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