Short History of the Universe (Scientific American Library) [Hardcover]

Joseph Silk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1994 | ISBN-10: 0716750481 | ISBN-13: 978-0716750482 | Edition: First Edition

In this work, the cosmologist, Joseph Silk, describes what is currently known about the history and construction of the universe. Recent discoveries about fluctuations in cosmic background radiation and their implications are included, as are some of the great controversies in cosmology.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most cosmology books are woefully lacking in illustrations, which is odd considering how our information about the universe is visual. Not so A Short History of the Universe, which continues Scientific American Library's policy of providing clear, authoritative, beautifully illustrated surveys of important topics. Joseph Silk is one of the most influential cosmologists, and he leads us on a tour of the universe with enough pictures, graphs, and equations that we can actually get an idea of what astrophysicists think is going on. Nature calls this book "the best introduction to cosmology for the general public." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Scientific American

Cosmologist Joseph Silk sums up the evidence and shows how physicists are able to leap from the infinitesimal to the vast in A Short History of the Universe. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: Freeman, W.h. Co.; First Edition edition (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716750481
• ISBN-13: 978-0716750482
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,698,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to cosmology, October 2, 2000

By 

Tim E. "madscientist" (Winston Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Short History of the Universe (Scientific American Library Series) (Paperback)

The science of cosmology gives a quantitative foundation to our views about the universe. A Short History of the Universe explains in layman's terms and with excellent pictures how our theories of the structure of the universe have evolved, thus feeding the areas of philosophy and religion. What do we mean if we say that the universe has limits, but is also infinite? Why is it that the sun is considered to be halfway through its lifetime? How can the universe be expanding in every direction that we look when the earth is not at the center of the universe? These sorts of questions are answered--and answered well. If you have curiosity about how the heavens are studied, this book is definitely worth your time.