Until the Sun Dies

by Robert Jastrow

This book examines the two great mysteries which have defied science—the riddle of life and the riddle of creation.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Astronomy

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book (1977) but still interesting. It is a very shortened or abbreviated history of the creation of the earth from the beginning till now. Only 166 pages, like an outline, but very readable and with interesting pictures. If you need a quick outline of the theories of creation to a chapter about stars and space, this is it.

[Jeremy Balondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me appreciate more the environment. It taught me to savor every second of my life, and to bask in the heat of the sun, being the giver of light, energy and life. I have to enjoy everything that comes my way, until the sun dies...

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first several chapters on the origin of the universe were good and back up by evidence. The rest of the book is on evolution and is speculation, with no real evidence to back up the development of all species.

[John Matsui · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been quite awhile since I read this book and I read it twice. That was a bit unusual for me because at that time I mostly read fiction.
What got to me was how clearly Jastrow could describe the most complex concepts. On a single page, he explains the theory of general relativity.
It stopped me cold. I understood general relativity! It hurt my head just thinking about it.
If you asked me today to explain it, I couldn't.
My knowledge was like a house of cards. One second it's up and you marvel at it. A week later you look and it's just a pile of loose cards with no structure. For that reason I reread it. Now almost 30 years later, the memory again cannot be revived. Something else that can't be revived is my memory of the person I lent the book to and who never returned it. If you read this, I want my book back.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jastrow is generally pretty good with both science and explaining it to the layperson. I enjoyed this book, but it's pretty far out of date now.

[John P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Robert Jastrow. The story of the birth and death of stars in the universe and how all the heavier elements (heavier than hydrogen) had their birth in a star's fusion process.