In his book, Lawrence M. Krauss asks the question of why there is something instead of nothing, that is, why does the universe exists instead of not existing. Why are we here, doing what we do, instead of not being here. While this opens up inevitable questions regarding the meaning of life, the universe, and questions regarding a possible creator, Krauss is more focused on looking at how physics explains the existence of the universe. He looks at scientific discoveries that have shaped and pushed forth the idea of the big bang theory and how this relates to the universe being here and how it might all end one day.

I enjoyed reading this book largely as a result that even though it begins with a philosophical approach, it really builds its argument largely with a close summary and analysis of the basic tenements shaping the big bang theory and its implications. As someone who isn’t a physicist, but fascinated by the subject matter, I found the book to be written in a straight forward style that invites the reader to gain a fundamental understanding of how science explains the universe, its properties, and what we can still learn and predict. There’s a good amount of philosophy integrated in the book, but in my opinion, I would have liked more of it. However, Krauss, ultimately, brings everything together with the notion that the fact that there is something from nothing, despite it being able to be explained through direct and calculated science, results in something magical that can be appreciated despite the fact that we may never discover what it all means.