Two world-renowned scientists present an audacious new vision of the cosmos that “steals the thunder from the Big Bang theory.” —...
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Aug 05, 2008
Terence
rated it: 
First off I should establish my bona fides for reviewing a book like this (i.e., science): I have none!
My interest in astronomy & its relatives goes back to when I was 8 and entertained the idea of becoming an astronomer. Alas, I have no head for math and only my 9th grade science teacher was any inspiration at all so I wound up in the humanities (not that I regret it, given my talents and interests I didn't make the wrong choice). I am but an amateur dilettante who can only watch fr More...
My interest in astronomy & its relatives goes back to when I was 8 and entertained the idea of becoming an astronomer. Alas, I have no head for math and only my 9th grade science teacher was any inspiration at all so I wound up in the humanities (not that I regret it, given my talents and interests I didn't make the wrong choice). I am but an amateur dilettante who can only watch fr More...
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Aug 17, 2008
bill
rated it: 
I picked up Endless Universe mainly because I wanted to read something about recent cosmological theory, especially dark matter and dark energy. The book provides all that and then goes further by postulating a more controversial model than the inflationary one currently in favor.
In a recent phone conversation, I mentioned this book and its authors' ideas to a friend of mine who writes about astronomy for a major scientific magazine and I could hear her rolling her eyes. Suffice it t More...
In a recent phone conversation, I mentioned this book and its authors' ideas to a friend of mine who writes about astronomy for a major scientific magazine and I could hear her rolling her eyes. Suffice it t More...
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Jun 04, 2010
Gendou
rated it: 
The authors are a little self centered, dedicating lots of time to explaining their own personal journey. Also, the book tells a rather one-sided account of the story, even playing the conspiracy card more than once! The first half of the book dangles the cyclic model like the plot of a mystery novel, which is frustrating, I kept yelling at the book to get on with it! The science of the cyclic model is NOT explained very well. I was made very uncomfortable by the digression into coincidental poi
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Jan 22, 2010
Eliot
rated it:
The authors describe their cyclic universe theory, which is an interesting alternative to the inflationary big bang picture. In describing their theory, they also detail the traditional inflationary model for a comparison, and as it turns out, the two theories coincide on essentially every observation that has been made to date. Fortunately, they make different predictions that may soon confirm or strike down either of the theories.
It would be nice if I knew something about string th More...
It would be nice if I knew something about string th More...
Aug 07, 2011
Verena
rated it:
A highly compelling cyclical cosmological theory, alternative to the inflationary model but as compatible with current observations and potentially more parsimonious, is described in a failry accessible manner by the theory's proponents themselves. Highly recommended for those with an interest in cosmology, although I did struggle to understand some sections.
Nov 18, 2010
Robyn
rated it: 
Through my school, I had the incredible luck to meet Paul Steinhardt and hear him speak on several occasions throughout his visit. Cosmology has always been a great interest of mine, even if I never knew it, and I just completely ate up the material in this book. Absolutely fantastic, and something I will be re-reading for years just to understand it.
Oct 06, 2011
D.C.
rated it:
An exciting read for those of us who weren't completely comfortable with the standard inflationary model of the Big Bang. Steinhardt and Turok, present a bit of a science adventure story of how the newest, most awe inspiring theory in cosmology unfolded.
Jul 30, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Remarkably accessible for a book on cosmological theory, Endless Universe is an intriguing look at an up-and-coming alternatitve to the inflationary Big Bang model. I, for one, am rooting for their theory.
Feb 02, 2008
Ron
rated it:
There are legitimate alternative theories to the Big Bang theory of the universe. Steinberg and Turok posit many big bang making the universe much older than the big bang theory allows for. Using quantum physics and the idea of "branes", they think that the "branes" bump into one another periodically in a big crunch that generates another big bang which then creates another universe with many/most of the same properties that we know in this one. Readable and understandable. T
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Jul 07, 2011
why: The universe fascinates and scares me (in the sense that thinking about it, I feel the utter insignificance of humanity). The idea presented in this book is that the big bang was not the beginning of an expanding universe, but one point in a cycle of expansion and contraction without beginning or end.
I started reading this when I lost the ability to focus on books I "should" be reading -- the upcoming bookclub and writing group selections along with the bookclub backlo More...
I started reading this when I lost the ability to focus on books I "should" be reading -- the upcoming bookclub and writing group selections along with the bookclub backlo More...
May 13, 2010
Lorileinart
rated it:
Some people hate it, but I'm starting to see the light.
In two words: Big BANGS.
emphasis on the plural.
In two words: Big BANGS.
emphasis on the plural.
Aug 11, 2010
Mark
rated it:
Not only does this book lay out a convincing case for a cyclic vs. Inflationary universe, it is so well written anyone can understand it.
Dec 16, 2009
Tamara
rated it:
Started off good enough. Pretty easy to understand and all that. Then it started having maps/photos/charts that weren't labeled and explained. They were discussed in the text, but I only realized that on the few pages that I fully understood what was being discussed. And then the language got a bit too technical for me.
It would still be good reading for those who's technical expertice isn't expert, but is higher than mine...
It would still be good reading for those who's technical expertice isn't expert, but is higher than mine...
Aug 31, 2010
Cassandra
rated it:
A good review of the Cyclic Model, as presented by someone who helped develop it. I think it poses some strong arguments against the currently held inflationary model but was disappointed by the lack of mathematical explanation given. I still love this book. Even if they may turn out incorrect I love that they have challenged the conventional cosmological outlook as I think that is the nature of true science and discovery.
Jun 20, 2011
Brie
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Overall an interesting read. Many parts of the book are quite technical, and way more than I could grasp. But it was interesting to see their theory, the cyclic model, against the current favored theory, the inflationary model. They basically contend that the 'big bang' was not the beginning, but one in a series of bangs our universe has and will experience. But it's considerably more complicated than that.
Aug 17, 2008
Jason
rated it:
A very interesting alternative theory to the traditional "one-shot" big bang model. Pretty compelling reading, but not quite as much so as some other science-for-the-masses books hence the 4/5 rating.
Aug 08, 2008
Richard
rated it:
Fascinating, this book puts forth the theory that there was not ons single big bang, but rather that have been and will continue to be many big bangs. I love this book.
May 23, 2008
Steve
rated it:
New hope for a universe that never dies ... http://nortspews.blogspot.com/2008/05/mi...
Aug 18, 2008
Jon
rated it:
Choice. Just when you thought the Big Bang was actually
the beginning of everything....
the beginning of everything....
Feb 12, 2012
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