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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Heavy in places in terms of content but becomes more acceptable after the first third of the book. Overall an enjoyable venture into nothing-ness and everything-ness through the prism of quantum theory.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
I really enjoyed the history of how today's ideas about the universe came to be, covered in the first six chapters. From there on, there seems to be a lot of (far less interesting) repetition, speculation and theology bashing, so the book just fizzles out.
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence Krauss describes thru experimental observations and new theories that demonstrate not only can something arise from nothing, something will always arise from nothing. To sum up the past, present and expected future of the universe in mere 190 pages is a massive undertaking but nonetheless Krauss delivers the brief version of it. I am not going to pretend that I understood every concept here but it was still a thought provoking read. If a book furthers my understanding of the universe we live in and adds to my ever growing TBR other concept books I want to read, I call it a good read.
We start at how the universe came to be and how the discovery of the cosmic microwave radiation proved the Big Bang (something arising out of nothing). Krauss then walks us thru what is happening to our universe currently and what that means for our future. My favorite part was why he thinks now is the best time to be alive and have the ability to study our universe. Due to the expansion of the universe, the stars we see today would be far away for its light to reach us. The future is bleak and dark indeed.
If the science gets too much for you, Krauss's wry humor will keep you entertained. I found his explanations to be simple and precise but at times I did need my friend Google. If you are interested in learning about our universe and the how of it, I highly recommend this book.
We start at how the universe came to be and how the discovery of the cosmic microwave radiation proved the Big Bang (something arising out of nothing). Krauss then walks us thru what is happening to our universe currently and what that means for our future. My favorite part was why he thinks now is the best time to be alive and have the ability to study our universe. Due to the expansion of the universe, the stars we see today would be far away for its light to reach us. The future is bleak and dark indeed.
If the science gets too much for you, Krauss's wry humor will keep you entertained. I found his explanations to be simple and precise but at times I did need my friend Google. If you are interested in learning about our universe and the how of it, I highly recommend this book.
my mind is boiling. I have so much to say about it that i won't say anything.
Well worth the read. Nice follow up to the ideas in Capra's The Tao of Physics.
DNF at 35%.
This book is not anything like I expected. I'm trying to understand how exactly our universe came from basically "nothing" but this book is just a bunch of science mumbo jumbo about the universe being flat and the BOOMERANG experiment and light and star distances. The second chapter began with (I'm paraphrasing here) now that we've established a beginning, how will the universe end? And I still don't know how the universe began so.... yeah. I thought I was really going to like this but I don't, at all. Oops.
This book is not anything like I expected. I'm trying to understand how exactly our universe came from basically "nothing" but this book is just a bunch of science mumbo jumbo about the universe being flat and the BOOMERANG experiment and light and star distances. The second chapter began with (I'm paraphrasing here) now that we've established a beginning, how will the universe end? And I still don't know how the universe began so.... yeah. I thought I was really going to like this but I don't, at all. Oops.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Interesting take on the universe and how the existence of God is not necessary to build the universe we have today
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The main thrust of the book is that there's no need for a Prime Mover, aka God. I disagree with his points, but more importantly, the argument he makes is made better by Sean Carroll in The Big Picture.
When speaking on the history of cosmology, which comprised the first few chapters, this book was a terrific read. Sadly, Krauss is a rather shallow thinker when it comes to philosophy, the subject Krauss claims to prove irrelevant with this book (at least philosophy dealing with 'nothingness'). To get an understanding of how empty Krauss' understanding, read this interview with The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/has-physics-made-philosophy-and-religion-obsolete/256203/
One problem is that Krauss doesn't seem to know what philosophy is, so he does not know when he is dipping his toes into the philosophical rather than the scientific (which occurs very often).
For a technical look at the problems of this book, here is a review by Ikjyot Singh Kohli:
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1405.6091.pdf
For a nontechnical critique: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/science-will-never-explain-why-theres-something-rather-than-nothing/
Krauss is a smart person but this is a disappointing book.
One problem is that Krauss doesn't seem to know what philosophy is, so he does not know when he is dipping his toes into the philosophical rather than the scientific (which occurs very often).
For a technical look at the problems of this book, here is a review by Ikjyot Singh Kohli:
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1405.6091.pdf
For a nontechnical critique: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/science-will-never-explain-why-theres-something-rather-than-nothing/
Krauss is a smart person but this is a disappointing book.
informative
fast-paced