Customer Reviews

Genesis of the Big Bang

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Did you ever think you could see further if you stood on the shoulders of a giant? Here's your chance. These authors have been involved with cosmological investigations for over 50 years. They explain the theory of the Big Bang for the layman but with enough detail to challenge the non-specialist. (The non-specialists will probably want to skip the appendices but if one wants to get a flavor of the deep thinking involved in Big Bang research the appendices opens that door.)

The authors are not short on details and their recollection of personal experiences during their scientific endeavors makes the book most interesting. These authors are not merely reporting on what others are doing but rather reflecting on their own personal critical investigations and presenting their opinion on subsequent research endeavors. They have been observers and critics of the evolution of cosmological investigations for essentially their whole careers. Thus they have strong opinions which are expressed unambiguously. I would expect that some would disagree with their opinions but to me this clear expression of these opinions is refreshing. But to their credit these opinions are presented clearly as their opinions so that the reader can explore the issues and disagree to their hearts content.

As a non-physicist, I had read enough to understand that the abundance of the light elements was created according to the Big Bang theory during the primeval evolution of the universe. And further that the heavier elements up to iron were created in the heart of collapsing stars but had never quite understood why this was the case. The authors discussion and presentation of data on the binding energy of the elements made this reasonably understandable to me. I mention this because I want to emphasize how the authors present a broad overview of a very complex physics problem with clear discussions but in addition give sufficient data to support understanding by the layman. Thus this book is not an easy read for the layman but rather is a challenging and invigorating experience for the amateur physicist who loves to try to understand the universe we live in.

The book includes an expert review of most of the evolving developments in the field of cosmology since their seminal work in the late forties. They present a broad overview of the concept of inflation in the early universe and express their view that this remains an open question. For those interested in the "why" question, there is a brief chapter on the Anthropic Principle. But to me it seems clear that the authors are by far more interested in the "how" issues rather than the "why" issues.

This book is by far the best overview of this subject I have ever run across.

This book was long out of print, available only through Kindle, Questia, or for $100 to 200 on Alibris.

Thankfully, it has been reprinted. Not the revised edition Ralph A. Alpher planned, but affordable. The dustjacket has been incorporated into a durable cover, and could now be used in a course on the History of Science, Astrophysics and Cosmology, or related subject.

Ralph A. Alpher received overdue recognition with the 2005 National Medal of Science, our country's highest scientific award. This was, in the opinion of a great many, long overdue. I am his son, but my bias can be ignored.

If you're interested in the Big Bang, I can tell you, there is more to come. What happened before that singularity?

After the Big Bang--well, there is no better description that that written by the man who described it, who calculated all of the important equations on a slide rule! I wasn't there, but I was close--he is, after all, my father.

And, when I was ten, this very humble scientist, considered by many one of the great scientists of the 20th century, had his predictions of the cosmic blackbody background radiation confirmed by accident by two physicists working for the then Bell Labs in New Jersey. Those two men received the Nobel Prize. Not that Alpher and Herman were not nominated at times, frequently. It just so happens the Nobel is never awarde to FOUR people. Every other important Physics recognition--has gone to Alpher and Herman.

However, the most original work was from Ralph A. Alpher. A student of George Gamow, the colorful Russian physicist at George Washington University, this work was his SECOND doctoral dissertation. The solution to the problem of his first dissertaiton was published before he could defend it.

At his defense of this dissertation--there were news media, journalists, as well as his doctoral committee. It was a public event, and even the great cartoonist Herblock published a cartoon relating to the most significant cosmological PREDICTION of the 20th century, perhaps in all of Astronomy up to that time.

And that was confirmed, and as a trained scientist, I can say, that's a pretty nifty occurrence. Robert Herman, coauthor of this book, was my father's constant intellectual companion from the 1940s through the 1990s. Nonetheless, he is recognized as a coauthor, and Ralph A. Alpher would say deservedly so. I can also say, it helps to have intellectual colleagues.

I've read many, many other versions of this great story in cosmology over the years, and many of them are flatly wrong. Ralph Alpher was certainly always available to tell his story, but this book became the crowning achievement. I've read the proofs and the book itself, and I heartily endorse it, because is is a great story in science, although a bit heftier than "The Double Helix" by Watson and Crick about the race to find the code we now know as DNA.

However, on the Big Bang, there was no particular race. Yet today, we're on the verge of another great debate regarding creationism and the origin of man, and Clarence Darrow will possibly be watching in amusement. No doubt also will George Gamow. And many Nobel prize winners have had the fortunate opportunity to know my father.

Today, however, Dr. Alpher is working on that nagging question, what DID happen before the Big Bang. Being a theoretical physicist, and tending to make predictions and hypothecate (after all, the atom was long merely a hypothetical particle)...well, confirmation of what is to come may take a little time.

And, as usual, we can expect a little academic political intrigue as well. This book sets that record as clearly as anyone at the source could. And it is a work of passion, I can attest to that.

A great read for anyone who thinks about our origins and our future. Highly recommended.

I could say more about this book, but you might wish to read it first, along with the techincal material in the Appendix...

As with all such books, there is an error here and there, despite a gang of proofreaders unpaid by me.

If interested in the errata, please contact my son at AlpherV (aol).

Meanwhile, please enjoy one of the interesting who-did-what's of the 20th century.

This book was never published in paperback by Oxford and has been long out of print. VSA Update 1/9/09: The book has been republished, without dustjacket (the dustjacket is incorporated in the cover). Readers who long had to pay upwards of $200 for an available copy, or worse, read an online version, now have available (who knows for how long), the actual book, on acid-free paper. It is at a price now that it could be included in an advanced or graduate course in Astrophysics and Cosmology, and hopefully will be during this window of opportunity!