Judgment Day: Science of Discworld IV: A Novel (Science of Discworld Series) - Softcover

Pratchett, Terry; Stewart, Ian; Cohen, Jack

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804169004 ISBN 13: 9780804169004

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2015

Synopsis

The wizards of Unseen University are again called upon to defend their creation, Roundworld, this time in a courtroom—where its very existence hangs in the balance.
 
The Omnians fervently believe that the world is round, not flat, and view the discovery of Roundworld as a vindication of their faith. To leave this artifact in the hands of the wizards would be unacceptable. Not only do the academics hold that Discworld is flat, but by creating the Roundworld universe, they have elevated themselves to the level of gods. Ankh-Morpork’s venerable tyrant Lord Vetinari agrees to a tribunal, where the wizards Ridcully, Rincewind, and Ponder Stibbons can present their case—with key assistance from a Roundworld librarian named Marjorie Daw.
 
JUDGMENT DAY weaves together explorations of such Earthly topics as big science, creation, subatomic particles, the existence of dark matter, and the psychology of belief--a treat for Discworld fans and readers of popular science alike.

About this title

About the Author

SIR TERRY PRATCHETT is the acclaimed creator of the bestselling Discworld series. He was appointed OBE and a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services to literature. He died in 2015.

IAN STEWART is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick, and the author of numerous books on math and popular science, as well as science fiction novels co-authored with Jack Cohen.

JACK COHEN is a professor of biology and an honorary professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick, and has co-authored several books with Ian Stewart.

Reviews

Half popular science essay and half fantasy tale, the final installment of the enjoyable Science of Discworld series sums up by updating topics from previous books while exploring the nature of our universe and the psychology of human belief. Ever since the wizards of Discworld's Unseen University accidentally created "Roundworld"â aka Earthâ they've been befuddled and fascinated by this strange world that "swims through space" without the benefit of resting on four elephants and a giant turtle (unlike the perfectly normal, and quite flat, Discworld). After six years of protecting Roundworld from destruction in its own space, the wizards now face a Discworld-born threat: the Omnian church, which is certain that Discworld is spherical, has laid claim to Roundworld as vindication of their faith. The wizards' story chapters frame essays on science-related topics such as the Big Bang, particle physics, and the Anthropic Principle, as well as belief systems, creation myths, and the Flat Earth Society. While the fantasy frame here is weaker than those in previous books, the investigations of the late Pratchett's pragmatic wizardsâ when they aren't distracted by the last chocolate biscuit on the tea trayâ provide a firm foundation for science coverage from mathematician Stewart and zoologist Cohen, reminding readers that "scientific revolutions don't change the universe. They change how humans interpret it." Agent: Colin Smythe, Colin Smythe Limited. (Dec.)\n

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804169004
• ISBN 13: 9780804169004
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368