"Universe From Nothing" is a thought-provoking book, detailing how science has went about discovering the origins of the universe.
Krauss' subject matter is derived from the observable experiments and Data supporting the theory that the universe was created due to the big bang, which itself arose out of a state of rapid quantum fluctuations - from nothing.
Along with educating the reader on how the rigorous testing of evidence supports the theory that the universe sprang from nothing, Krauss finds it of equal importance to educate the reader by clarifying what "nothing" really is and how the scientific understanding or usage of the term "nothing" is more informative than the Philosophers or Theologians semantic, hopelessly abstract and non applicable definition.
Since the theologian contributes nothing more than mere backpedaling the definition into obscurity, Krauss argues that the scientific understanding of nothingness indeed replaces the relevatory or imaginative proclamations with more useful operational efforts to describe "nothingness".

Early on, Krauss sets the tone for the reader to explore implications by scientific discoveries by providing the scientific ethos for furthering our understanding of nature;
1) Follow evidence wherever it leads, even if the conclusions are startling or unexpected
2) If one has a theory, one needs to be willing to try to prove it wrong as much as one tries to prove it right
3) The ultimate arbiter of truth is experiment.

Throughout the chapters the reader is taken through the steps of the last 100 years in how the ideas of size and shape of our Universe has drastically changed through a push and pull of theoretical science either being confirmed or denied by the advancement of scientific observation and testing.
This fascinating tale evokes many of the centuries observational discoveries in Physics and cosmology such as Edward Hubble, who confirmed that the expansion of the universe wasn't only happening but in fact accelerating, disproving Einsteins formulation of a "static universe" -
Other profound discoveries are thrown into consideration such as the "CMBR" ( Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation ) which supported the theory of the "big bang", or of the methods of how Krauss and others took in calculating the shape of the universe - leading to other profound discoveries such as the concept of "dark matter" ( or dark energy" ).
These discoveries in turn lead to other startling discoveries of our universe. . .which leads the path to the the thesis of the book.
I found the this section always engaging with Krauss always employs different methods, facetious analogies or graphs in helping the layman understand how the other scientists came to their conclusions, always underlining his useful premise;
"The Universe is the way it is whether we like it or not".


The integrity of Krauss work is further demonstrated with Krauss mentioning how he was cautious with the first data that comes in, might not be representative of all the data, systematic errors that could affect the data. "Speculations are fine, especially if it promotes new avenues for experiment. Krauss further calls for composure and being conservative as possible when examining real data.

In the last chapters the reader finds a wonderful description of processes of how a universe could come from nothing.
Some of the conditions that conspired to produce the shape of the universe that it is today such as the process of Inflation, whereby the energy of empty space/nothing gets converted into the energy of something - Empty space, endowed with enough stored energy which dominates the expansion of the universe, effectively creating everything we see.
It was mind-bending to discover that what we know or perceive as "empty space", is an unstable boiling brew of virtual particles that "pop" in and out of existence.
This fluctuation of energy happens so quickly that only the indirect effects of virtual particles can be measured before a positron meets the first electron, coincidentally annihilating each other and thereby returning back into empty space.

Krauss details more on the scientific method by citing the "paragon of good science" as when scientists use models that can be tested and falsified. Instead of working with questions of "why" something works, the work and inquiry of the scientist is to frame these into "how" questions, which allows the production of new knowledge and understanding of the phenomena. "How" questions are thus differentiated from purely theological questions, which presume the answers up front.

Richard Dawkins is also featured in the afterward, contributing a shorthanded yet chatty recap, successfully solidifying concepts that perhaps the reader was only beginning to correctly conceptualize together with underlining the significance of Krauss' work in the face of Philosophica and/or Theologian myopia . . .

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed Krauss' narrative and his facetious nature in trying to relate this profound and convincing discussion to the reader interested in Science, or those who follow the developments and discoveries more closely.