Customer Reviews

The Red Limit: The Search for the Edge of the Universe

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

 

 

The Red Limit is another of Timothy's Ferris excellent distilliations of astrophysics for public consumption. As usual, he is skilled not only in making science concepts comprehensible but bringing into vivid detail the *story* of science -- how we know what we know. It even includes the occasional philosophical discussion.

So why the low rating? Because this book is twenty years old. I had assumed that the reprint would maybe have some updated material, but it doesn't. This is effectively a book on the State of Cosmology circa 1983.

Don't waste your money on this. Ferris's own Whole Shebang is better written and more up to date. You might also check out Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos, which is a very similar book but far better and has been updatee for the most recent discoveries. Bill Bryson's Brief History of Nearly Everything only covers cosmology in basic detail, but is also far more up-to-date.

A great review of the discovery of the expanding universe; the science is interesting and understandable for the lay person. Even more compelling is the drama of the scientists themselves, there life, personalities,strengths, foibles and their wonderful discoveries. It is science and history of science combined in an easy to read 250 page book that helps us all comprehend just a grasp of the incomprehensable nature of our existence in this universe.

This book is not so much a science book as it is a history of science. Ferris tells the story of the development of the various theories surrounding cosmology the development of the universe. As such he does spend a lot of time talking about theories which were later proved incorrect. Periodically while reading the book I did find myself checking out various things on the internet in order to see what the final result would be.

He covers things like the debates on whether the universe contains one galaxy or many, how the big bang theory was developed, the discoveries of things like cephiad variable stars, the galactic red shift, and background microwave radiation that led to a better understanding of the universe. He also covers some of the great scientific debates, like the one about uncertainty between Einstein and Heisenberg.

I found the book to be very readable and informative. The only reason it's not 5 stars is that it is somewhat dated. However, as it is not really a book about science, but a book about the history of science, its dated nature doesn't detract from its overall narrative. As I mentioned above, anyone wanting to know the modern spin on things which might not have been available when the book was written can simply google things as he reads.

The Red Limit

By Timothy Ferris

Book Review

By Richard E. Noble

The Red Limit is a fascinating cosmological exploration. This is the second time I have read this book. It is the perfect book for the non-scientist. I have no background in science but like to make an attempt to know what is going on in the science of the universe.

Cosmology and astrophysics are truly out of my category. But because of writers like Timothy Ferris I am able to jump right in and swim around. This man is a find for me. I will be reading more of his works in the future.

In this book the author takes us through the various scientists and their insights that have brought us to the theoretical evaluations that are most prevalent today in regards to the universe. How our Universe may have begun and how many have come to the conclusion that it is growing and expanding.

We learn about the instruments, the telescopes, the mirrors and lenses. We learn about the craftsmen and inventers involved. We learn about the astronomers, and the astrophysicists and how and why they have made their determinations.

Timothy Ferris is a writer, a teacher, a journalist and a professor. This is a difficult subject for me but Professor Ferris's ability with words made everything easy and simple. There is nothing covered in this book that I did not understand. Or maybe I should say, there was nothing by way of Mr. Ferris' explanations of these complicated processes and happenings that I did not feel I was provided with insight and some modicum of understanding of these notions that are truly "way out there." I feel now that I have some basis on which to move forward.

Personally I am extremely dubious of this whole Big Bang notion and the interpretation of Mr. Hubble's discovery - as was he, I find noted in the text. But since these are the prevailing thoughts on this subject I am very happy to find an author who can explain to the likes of one like me what is thought to be going on.

The author writes clearly an intelligibly. His explanations are cogent and concise.

I have tried other science writers but to this point this man is the best. I am going to try and read all of his books and I feel that I will be nothing but better off for my effort.

This book lays it all out. The reader can accept it or not accept it. The author is extremely objective and gives all points of view their due. I have absolutely no complaints with this author. He knows how to tell a story too. Great book!

Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of:

"A Summer with Charlie" Salisbury Beach, Lawrence YMCA

August 2, 1999

I would like to take a minute to thank Timothy Ferris for abridging, The Red Limit: The Search for the Edge of the Universe, to audio. Shortly after my son was born I began looking for audio novels which would allow me to share my passion of astronomy, physics and astrophysics with my then six month old son, The Red Limit: The Search for the Edge of the Universe, was perfect meeting all the criteria. Timothy Ferris also gets top marks for announciation, his speaking is very clear and easy to understand. It is because of his outstanding work that I decided to purchase his other audio novels, The Whole Shebang and Coming of Age in the Milky Way.

That was 11 months ago. All of Timothy Ferris audio novels turned out to be excellent with a high standard of quality in production. What started off as a casual experiment with audio bedtime stories for my son has now become firmly entrenched as a nightly event. My son now 18 months old, has moved onto the Richard Feyman Physics audio lectures which are also carried by Amazon.

I would like to encourage Timothy Ferris to continue produce more of these types of edutainment audio programs on tape or CD. I love listening to scientific books on my way to work and also love to share them with my 18 month old son as his bedtime stories. In addition to the content, the high level of clear announciation in the Timothy Ferris work is great, it really helps my son to learn new words, concepts and the organization of the english language. More than he would ever obtain in normal everyday speech.

I would love to see the following subjects abrigded to audio for distribution through Amazon.com. Maths, sciences, physics, astrophysics, geology, any and all space related topics, gravity, unified field theory, electromagnetics, electronics, microproccessor design, optics, micro-optics, electro-optics, light and the theory there of, satellites, satellite orbital mechanics and related theory, engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering.

I do not have time in my busy daily schedule to read very much, but do I have five hours a day to listen and learn.

If you make it I will support it.

Arnold D Veness