Customer Reviews

The Dancing Universe: From Creation Myths to the Big Bang (Understanding Science and Technology)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book on a whim, seeking to learn more about creation myths and the relation between science and religion. An English major who typically favors literary fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found within its pages: a very compelling narrative about past and present views of the universe and the people who contributed to our understanding of it - all in a language that even the most physics-phobic reader can understand and appreciate. Gleiser is an eloquent and entertaining writer whose writing style does much to support his arguments that science and reason are not necessarily devoid of emotion and spirituality. His obvious enthusiasm for the knowledge he imparts is infectious and although other works may be better at explaning the mechanics of the universe (e.g. Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time), anyone who has ever suffered through the unwieldy textbook jargon of an introductory physics course can appreciate the way which he makes this book not only educational, but *readable.* By weaving together information about how the universe works and the people who made those discoveries, Gleiser's book reads less like a scientific explanation of the universe and more like a story populated with fantastic figures and propelled by amazing discoveries. An excellent, well-written book on a subject the author manages to make fascinating to even this scientifically-numb reader, I find myself intrigued by the subject and eager to learn more.

Starting with ancient myths, going across the history of philosophical/physical science to our present day, Marcelo Gleiser demonstrates how there is a common language and purpose uniting human thought. There is no sense in maintaining a bi-polarity, a separation between spiritual and scientific inquiries. The quest for the Absolute Reality transcends the distinction between religion and science and each one serves as inspiration for the other. This becomes evident in the arena of the origins of the universe where there is a link between ancient myths and modern cosmology. Mysticism has been a source of inspiration for many scientists and the concept of a "cold, materialist" scientist is totally out of context.
Marcelo Gleiser dedicates an extensive chapter on the Greeks, continues his journey into neo-Platonism during the Middle Ages, Copernican revolution, Galileo, Newton, all the way to present optics, thermodynamics, relativity and quantum mechanics. The closer he moves into contemporary science the more technical his language becomes, but overall it is quite an accessible reading which does not require substantial background in major scientific developments.
For the author the beauty of science is that it brings us closer to nature; it would be a benefit to each and everyone if science were to be taught with a less emphasis on its cold, rational, "operative" objective. Gleiser also explains how we are slaves to our rational mechanisms (language fails to fully explain the quantum phenomena), how our finite brain attempts to reach the infinite and trascend our bipolar reality.
Marcelo Gleiser draws a parallel between myths of creation and cosmological models for the origins of the universe, classifying them into temporal myths with the corresponding theories of the Big-bang or Lemaitre primordial atom, and "atemporal" myths and the corresponding models proposed by Bondi, Gold and Hoyle, or the "Phoenix Universe." He makes use of an informal narrative, with an outspoken enthusiasm, removing the aura circumscribing physics and physicits. In the process he sacrifices technicality for the benefit of a wider scope of readers.

I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Gleiser when he recently interviewed my father, Dr. Ralph A. Alpher--the last of his generation involved in the development of the Big Bang Theory--which today most Astrophysicists and Cosmologists accept as an empirically founded version of Genesis--at least the Genesis of 15 or so million years ago.

My father's dissertation advisor was a great popularizer of science and physics, the late George Gamow. As I was a youngster when Gamow was alive, I should have demanded to meet him!!! Ah, but what do children of great men really know?

Well, in the tradition of Gamow, and with great affection for his writings and admiration for Dr. Ralph A. Alpher's work, I find that Dr. Gleiser has taken up the torch of science popularizing in a major way. This book will live up to the non-technical reader's hopes!!! Gleiser has mastered his subject and presents it in a both serious and entertaining way. And today, there is so much bunk to separate from what is reasonable to believe!!!

From the earliest creation ideas to the greatest mysteries of today, you will enjoy Dr. Gleiser's work. There are other writers regarding modern cosmology for the masses (Dr. Steven Weinberg's "The First Three Minutes" and Rober Jastrow's "God and the Astronomers" come immediately to mind. However, Dr. Gleiser's scope is so much broader and majestic--you will not regret having his work in your library.

Gleiser tells the History of Physics and explain its theories in an understandable way. He also tells many interesting stories of many personalities: from Heraclitus to Kepler; Thales to Einstein. Very interesting book. Gleiser explores the relations of science, mistycism and mithologies. He writes a great chapter about modern cosmology, and the certain "freedom" cosmologists have on their work. The book is writen in a rich, beaultiful and concise style. You'll find also citations of many thinkers, poets, scientists and philosophers in the begining of each chapter, including a fascinating poem from Borges! A must read book.

I am lucky enough to have Marcelo Gleiser as a professor this quarter at Dartmouth College. In a class that closely parallels his book, we have explored everything he has written. He is a fascinating person, and his personality and enthusiasm for the subject spreads throughout his book. This is an interesting view of the universe around us and how that view has changed over time. The book is full of information, yet is still very readable. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject, as well as anyone seeking to learn more about the Universe we inhabit.

As a young boy with many questions about not just myself, but my life, my background and my place in the universe, I yearned for specific, yet simplistic answers. Although it was quite impossible to answer these questions-as of our current time-I found the detailed, scientific, humorous approach to answering these questions in "The Dancing Universe" to be satisfying at the time. As a sixteen year old, reflecting upon this book's true message, I often realize how much it has taught me. Gleiser does not explain life, rather, he intends to guide the readers to their own "answers." In an age where we often overlook our journey through such an emmense universe, it is satisfying to know that someone, Gleiser, intends to help those who wish to understand and explore their past, present and future. First, introducing the early beliefs concerning creation, Gleiser leads us past religion and leads us into the vast pool of astronomical studies. Although the book slows during this portion, it is nonetheless interesting. Gleiser becomes not just a teacher, but a friend, attempting to explain the mind boggling laws and theorys fabricated by the well known scientists throughout the ages. The novel is definately worth while. It allows those yearning for answers to be pointed in the right direction. And as man embarks on a journey towards their final destination, Gleiser clarifies the purpose of this journey, and why and what makes this journey called life possible.

Would you like to know more about the thoughts of Humankind on the origins of the Universe? So that's the book. You don't need to have a major on Physics or Philosophy to follow mr. Gleiser's recount. On the contrary, this book aims to make itself knowledgeable by anyone. All it requires is your curiosity and sense of marvel. Must read! Mr. Gleiser is a "story teller" in the sense that he knows how to make himself understandable and most of all how to bring back the notion that Physics is basically a study of nature, where we belong and not a black board full of equations.

This book is very interesting in content. I started reading it after reading "A brief history of time" by Mr. Hawking. That was not a very good idea. Although both books are similar in what they try to explain, "The Dancing Universe" is not as succesfull in explaining modern physics concepts. By the other side, it tells the story of many personalities in physics, how they lived and how their discoveries helped to build modern physics.

Definitely worth reading.

Marcelo Gleiser has the rare gift of explaining with the needed extention and profoundness - in understandable terms and texts for the common interested people - physics and its interest to our lives.
The texts are written in agreeable and simple manner, based on his large knowledge of the science, history, philosophy and myths.
Highly recommended!