A Short History of the Universe (Scientific American Library Series) [Paperback]

Joseph Silk (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0716760207 | ISBN-13: 978-0716760207 | Publication Date: February 15, 1997 | Edition: First Edition

How has the universe evolved? Astronomer and physicist Joseph Silk explores this and other questions of cosmology in this updated, paperback edition of his acclaimed A Short History of the Universe. Silk shows how cosmologists study cosmic relics and construct theories of the universe's inception, its evolution, and its plausible future. He describes how physicists apply their theories of subatomic particles to re-create the first moments of the big bang and how astronomers map huge reaches of the universe to understand the later creation of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. He also reports on one of science's most dramatic detective stories: the search for the missing matter that will determine the ultimate fate of the universe.

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."

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman; First Edition edition (February 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716760207
• ISBN-13: 978-0716760207
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,356,199 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.