"A sweeping tour of the laws of physics, the scope of the universe, and the place of life within it." —Sean Carroll, New York Times bestselling author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
An elegant exploration of humanity’s continuous search to find the hidden truths of the universe and comprehend our place in the cosmos.
We have always looked up at the night sky and wondered. Ever since the ancient Babylonians began to track celestial objects on clay tablets, scientific inquiry has been driven by the innate human desire to understand what is out there, and where we fit into it all.
Renowned particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, whose research has brought her to the cutting edge of scientific advancement, takes us on a journey through the discoveries that have at once propelled and overturned our perception of the cosmos. From Copernicus launching a helio-centric revolution to Ernest Rutherford uncovering the world inside the atom, to Vera Rubin confirming the existence of dark matter, each generation has built upon, and then upended, the knowledge of those who came before.
Even today, as ninety-five percent of the universe remains unknown to us, we cannot help but chase the fundamental truths of our world, as we witness the fiery deaths of faraway suns, probe the nature of dark energy and search for extraterrestrial life in the most unexpected places.
Beautifully written and accessible, A Brief History of the Universe (And Our Place in It) is a celebration of our story so far, one of discovery and an endless curiosity that has taken us far beyond the boundaries of the world we know.
From award-winning particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, a fascinating and accessible exploration of our continuous journey to unlocking the secrets of the universe and understanding where we fit into it.
Renowned particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, whose research into dark matter has brought her to the cutting edge of scientific advancement, explores our endeavors to understand the cosmos. From the ancient Greeks, who blended observation with philosophy, and the Islamic Empire, which made critical advancements in astronomy, to today’s research into quantum physics and extraterrestrial life, each generation has built on the cumulative knowledge of the civilizations before it. Dr. Malik highlights the people who made breakthroughs possible, some well-known, like Albert Einstein, and others less so, like Vera Rubin, who pushed the boundaries of society and science.
Yet every age shares a surprising similarity: Each time we thought we grasped a complete understanding, we stumbled upon something that upended it. Copernicus, for example, launched a revolution when he argued Earth was not at the universe’s center, and Ernest Rutherford disproved the long-held belief that the atom was indivisible.
Dr. Malik reveals that behind the saga of our scientific successes is an intensely curious and deeply philosophical species striving to comprehend its place in the vast cosmos, and she captures how our efforts have shaped, and continue to shape, not only our knowledge, but our identity.
Accessible and engaging, A Brief History of the Universe embarks on a journey through the discoveries that have influenced, and at times upended, how we see ourselves in the grand universe, and captures the wonder of the world we live in.
