Synopsis
The author employs his knowledge of physics and astronomy to lead the reader on a fascinating theoretical journey through the "life" of a single subatomic particle that becomes part of the "Voyager" spacecraft
Reviews
Cosmologist Darling is a proponent of the anthropic principle: life and intelligence had to arise in the universe in order for it to be real--humanity is literally the consciousness of the universe. He follows a proton from the moment of creation 18 billion years ago to "deep time" trillions of years hence when the universe will become an incredibly dilute soup of photons. The proton sees the quasars flare to brilliance and the galaxies condense around massive vibrating cosmic strings. It is forged into a gold atom in a supernova and comes to rest on Earth. Life and intelligence arise on Earth and the gold atom is incorporated into a phonograph album attached to the Voyager 2 spacecraft--a message from Earth to unknown civilizations. From this vantage, the proton watches as the universe ages and grows dark, and eventually even protons evaporate. Physicists are on the verge of the Theory of Everything, i.e., "the all-encompassing set of equations that would unify every physical phenomenon in nature." Darling has written a lyrical introduction to the latest theories in cosmology. First serial to Penthouse.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Cosmology does not often make for light reading, but this book is an exception.Astronomist/physicist Darling has written what can best be called a nonfiction novel in which the hero is a wayfaring proton. Spawned in the Big Bang, the proton wanders the cosmos, encounters black holes and quasars, visits the Earth, hitches a ride with the Voyager spacecraft, and ultimately witnesses the collapse of the universe. Readers who like a little lay mysticism with their cosmology--and there are many--will appreciate this book. Those who prefer straightforward science popularizations will opt for James Trefil's The Moment of Creation ( LJ 10/1/83), Barry Parker's Creation (Plenum, 1988), or, for somewhat more sophisticated tastes, Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time ( LJ 4/15/88; "Best Books of 1988," LJ 1/89, p. 48).
- Gregg Sapp, Idaho State Univ. Lib., Boise
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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