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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
I like popular science, namely mathematics. And I love Simon Singh, he is undoubtely my favourite science writer. Although this is not strictly a book on mathematics, I found it very appealing mainly by its author. And it has not disappointed me, I've enjoyed the reading very much.
This book is a history of the Big Bang model, but it is also an insight into what science is and how it works. This is a very good example of the scientific method, how a scientific idea is created, tested, verified and, finally, accepted. Every scientific theory must be testable and compatible with reality, however, as Fred Hoyle said, «theories are never proved right, the best they can do is to survive». I really liked this quote.
As he usually does in his books, Simon Singh expalins the Big Bang model in terms that will make sense to non-specialists, without having to water down the key concepts within the theory. He reaches a perfect balance between technical depth and the description and explanation of the key ideas. You do not need great scientific knowledge to enjoy this book, but at the same time you will achieve a fairly clear understanding about the topics discussed.
The Big Bang model of the universe is arguably the most important and glorious scientific achievement of the twentieth century. The question of who invented this model is virtually imposible, for it required a number of theoretical, experimental and observational stages, and each one has its own heroes. So here is his story from the beginning several centuries ago. The book starts long before the Big Bang theory was proposed, and Singh reviews the war of Sun-centered universe vs Earth-centered universe, speed of light and Einstein's relativity, whether the Milky Way contains the entire universe or not or the foundations of atomic physics, among other topics of great interest. Of course, every one of them has its importance in the final battle between Steady Staters and Big Bangers. with the apparent triumph of the latter.
This book is a history of the Big Bang model, but it is also an insight into what science is and how it works. This is a very good example of the scientific method, how a scientific idea is created, tested, verified and, finally, accepted. Every scientific theory must be testable and compatible with reality, however, as Fred Hoyle said, «theories are never proved right, the best they can do is to survive». I really liked this quote.
As he usually does in his books, Simon Singh expalins the Big Bang model in terms that will make sense to non-specialists, without having to water down the key concepts within the theory. He reaches a perfect balance between technical depth and the description and explanation of the key ideas. You do not need great scientific knowledge to enjoy this book, but at the same time you will achieve a fairly clear understanding about the topics discussed.
The Big Bang model of the universe is arguably the most important and glorious scientific achievement of the twentieth century. The question of who invented this model is virtually imposible, for it required a number of theoretical, experimental and observational stages, and each one has its own heroes. So here is his story from the beginning several centuries ago. The book starts long before the Big Bang theory was proposed, and Singh reviews the war of Sun-centered universe vs Earth-centered universe, speed of light and Einstein's relativity, whether the Milky Way contains the entire universe or not or the foundations of atomic physics, among other topics of great interest. Of course, every one of them has its importance in the final battle between Steady Staters and Big Bangers. with the apparent triumph of the latter.
A lot better than any other popular science book I've ever read.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
This was a wonderful read! I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a story of how we have developed our current view of the universe and its workings. It was really great to get some perspective after reading a lot of nonfiction books about the subject as we currently see it. Names that been alluded to in those books became clear and in context. The conversational tone of the book took you on a journey with the author.
Bloody love this book. Simon Singh manages to explain physical phenomena comprehensively without getting you lost in the technical details. My favorite thing about this book, though, is the structure which it is written in. Singh wrote the book in a (mostly) historically chronological structure which both tells a story and teaches you about scientific developments. It also helps that as time passes, ideas are built upon past ideas, so it's almost as though you are constructing science slowly. Singh does not make it boring at all. You don't even need any background experience in physics; I read this twice, once in seventh grade and another in eighth.
Definitely worth the read, get it!
Definitely worth the read, get it!
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Best science book to tap my long gone studies from school, and more.
One of the most interesting science history books I've ever read. Recommend to anyone and everyone with even a passing curiousity of the universe.