The Origins of the Universe for Dummies

by Stephen Pincock, Mark Frary

Do you want to learn about the physical origin of the Universe, but don't have the rest of eternity to read up on it? Do you want to know what scientists know about where you and your planet came from, but without the science blinding you? 'Course you do - and who better than For Dummies to tackle the biggest, strangest and most wonderful question there is! The Origins of the Universe For Dummies covers:


Early ideas about our universe Modern cosmology Big Bang theory Dark matter and gravity Galaxies and solar systems Life on earth Finding life elsewhere The Universe's forecast

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

356 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2007

Reviews

[Carey Smoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview on the origins of the universe written in simple terms. The book was published in 2007, so some of the information needs to be updated. It would be great if a second edition was eventually published.

I found the book to be very even-handed in the material covered in this book. For example, different theories were discussed as to how our universe might eventually come to an end. Thus, I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this subject.

[Danny Barulli · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of several books I had to read for an RTB course. I barely understood it. I am glad it was written in a manner in which I could at least barely understand it. The treatment on the Judean/Christian view of origins is lacking. Otherwise, enjoyable.

[Mojca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently saw the series Wonders of the Universe and Wonders of the Solar System presented by Professor Brian Cox, and my fascination with the universe, and its many mysteries came roaring back.

Not everybody has the academic vernacular to dig into thick, incomprehensible tomes of quantum physics, that’s why I found Cox’s explanations on the series so perfect. He laid it all out in simple, layman’s terms, making the subject of the creation of the universe, its size and its constant expansion easy to comprehend.
What Cox did in the two short series, Stephen Pincock and Mark Frary do in this book…How it all started from both the ancient civilization’s and scientific points of view, what it’s made of, how it’s measured, how it expands, what we’re all made of, what drives and influences us...How and when it might all end...Fascinating, concise, and easy to understand.

Pincock and Frary also throw in a chapter about how ten different religions view and feel about that moment of creation or whatever you want to call it, so most of us don’t have to delve into those even harder to decipher religious tomes out there.

I’d say a must-read for all quantum physics and “star” fans who don’t want to get to scientific to get their universe fix.

[Juan Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book over the course of several months. I personally stopped about half-way through the book to read/learn a little bit more about quantum physics to help make it certain aspects of this topic a little more clear & I found it to be very helpful & that it made things "click" a lot faster but that may not be necessary for everyone to do, it may have just been my personal curiosity.

It's a good read if you're interested in how the universe began & the search throughout the centuries for that knowledge. There is a little about classical & quantum physics covered in this book. . The big bang is covered & what the term actually means. It is made clear how we understand what we do about the universe, the evidence we've found as well as some hypotheses & searches for the future. Overall it is a good book if you're interested in the nature of the universe after the big bang. I think it's a very good starting point to cover the basics for anyone interested in this topic. If you're interested in the cosmos, I highly recommend this book!

[Bruno Laschet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich glaube, dieses Buch ist nicht für Dummies geeignet. Die zwei Schreiber springen von einem Thema zum anderen. Es machte den Eindruck als lese ich alles 2x - sooft wiederholen sie sich. Teilweise geht der Stoff so tief, dass man abschaltet. Naja, da gibt es wesentlich bessere Bücher zu diesem Thema...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a few books now which have dumped me in the deep end, it was refreshing and informative to read this book. It explains in simple terms some very difficult concepts. While not delving deeply, it provides a useful framework to put more complex books in context.

[Carrie]

I need to know what happened BEFORE the Big Bang!