Review by Choice Review
Popular science books on cosmology are commonplace. This book distinguishes itself by its emphasis on measurement. In astronomy, knowledge of distances is fundamental, and all intellectual progress depends on the ability to measure distances to observed objects. For example, one's theory about the fundamental nature of the sun would be vastly different if one thought that the sun was 360,000 km from Earth (roughly the same as the Earth-moon distance) rather than its actual distance of 150 million km. Conclusions about the sun's mass, energy source, and influence on Earth would all differ greatly from what is now known. Distance measurements in astronomy are notoriously difficult because only Earth's motion in orbit, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the finite speed of light are available as basic measurement tools. Cox and Forshaw (both, Univ. of Manchester, UK) emphasize explaining techniques used to measure distances (and derivative properties such as mass and age) of astronomical objects. Their explanations are clear and well-based in common experience, beginning with a simple method that readers can use for measuring distances to terrestrial objects. The book is well indexed and enjoyable. Beginning undergraduates and general readers will find it engaging and informative. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers. --Alan Spero, University of California
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Acclaimed British physicists Cox and Forshaw (The Quantum Universe) team up once again in this accessible, lucid, and entertaining introduction to cutting-edge astrophysics and cosmology. Revealing how scientists explore the universe, the authors celebrate the scientific method as much as the scientific discoveries they address. They begin close to home, asking "How old is the Earth?" That simple question leads naturally through discussions of plate tectonics, atomic structure, and radioisotope dating while demonstrating the roots of the scientific method: observing and collecting evidence, and applying logic to reach conclusions. From here, it's smooth sailing through increasingly complex topics. Determining astronomical distance introduces such concepts as Cepheid variable stars, supernovas, and redshift. Pondering the Earth's weight leads to measuring gravity with a watch, a ball, and a ruler. The authors also proffer an inventory of the universe and dig into the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. At the book's core are the Big Bang and considerations of relativity theory, gravity, and curved spacetime. The minimal-math approach progresses from simple to complex ideas, and detailed diagrams and colorful photographs help illuminate concepts. Curious readers will appreciate how Cox and Forshaw celebrate the scientific process as heartily as they embrace the wonder of the universe. Illus. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two physicists lead a tour of our universe and explain how we can better understand it by "doing science."Authors who take on cosmology have a difficult job. Many concepts (relativity, quantum phenomena) are complex, and even familiar ones, like gravity and light, need at least a little mathematics to make sense. Since equations are often considered the kiss of death regarding sales to general readership, popular science writers traditionally assure readers that none will sully their texts. Even in skilled hands, the simplification and/or absence of math converts much of cosmology into a magic show. Although they're entertained, readers must accept many phenomena on faith. This is not a problem since few creationists read these books, but TV commentator Cox (Particle Physics/Univ. of Manchester) and Forshaw (Theoretical Physics/Univ. of Manchester), who have co-authored multiple books, including The Quantum Universe (2012), refuse to take that approach. The authors not only describe what cosmologists have learned over the centuries, but how they proved it, and there is no shortage of math. As they note, "anybody, standing in their back garden with a reasonably sized amateur telescopecan prove that we live in an expanding Universe and measure the rate of the Universe's expansion." Readers willing to make a modest effort and use their high school algebra can confirm that examining the present universe makes it clear that it began with the Big Bang. Calculating when this happened is not difficult, but determining how everythingi.e. space, time, matter, and energyevolved takes some thought. Fortunately, plenty of brilliant scientists, led by Einstein (a big favorite of the authors), gave it close attention. Many readers will settle for the magic show, but those who choose to pore over the authors' explanations and perhaps take a pencil and paper to follow along will gain a more significant understanding of some profound cosmological phenomena. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
