Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story

Jim Holt

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ISBN 10: 0871404095 ISBN 13: 9780871404091

Published by Liveright July 2012, 2012

Language: English

Condition: Used - Very good Hardcover

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First Edition/ Second Printing. A little shelf worn but looks unread.

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Bibliographic Details

Title

Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story

Publisher

Liveright July 2012

Publication Date

2012

Language

English

ISBN 10

0871404095

ISBN 13

9780871404091

Binding

Hardcover

Edition

First Edition.

Printing

First Edition

Condition

Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition

Very Good

Seller catalogs

Philosophy

About this title

Synopsis

2012 New York Times Top 10 Book of the Year
Slate.com 2012 Staff Pick

In this astonishing and profound work, an irreverent sleuth traces the riddle of existence from the ancient world to modern times.

Whether framed philosophically as “Why is there a world rather than nothing at all?” or more colloquially as “But, Mommy, who made God?” the metaphysical mystery about how we came into existence remains the most fractious and fascinating question of all time. Following in the footsteps of Christopher Hitchens, Roger Penrose, and even Stephen Hawking, Jim Holt emerges with an engrossing narrative that traces our latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe. As he takes on the role of cosmological detective, the brilliant yet slyly humorous Holt contends that we might have been too narrow in limiting our suspects to God vs. the Big Bang. Whether interviewing a cranky Oxford philosopher, a Physics Nobel Laureate, or a French Buddhist monk, Holt pursues unexplored and often bizarre angles to this cosmic puzzle. The result is a brilliant synthesis of cosmology, mathematics, and physics―one that propels his own work to the level of philosophy itself.

About the Author

Jim Holt, a prominent essayist and critic on philosophy, mathematics, and science, is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Book Review and the New York Review of Books. He lives in New York City.

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Book People RVA has been serving readers around the world since 1980. Known as the Richmond metro-area book provider for those who prefer a warm, customer-focused buying experience, Book People offers new and used fiction and non-fiction titles and many literary genres. No matter the interaction--through its new store conveniently located in Henrico's far West End or online, customers experience the friendly and rapid service that has convinced so many buyers over the years to use Book People for all their book purchases. We fulfill orders requested via email, online, or telephone, and we accept special orders such as out-of-print books, international mail orders, and titles from boutique publishers. Book People has long had a strong community presence and sponsors several book clubs and numerous book and author events. The store supports educators and provides them a 20% discount. As part of its advocacy for free speech, Book People takes a stand against book banning and keeps an up-to-date display of books currently under threat in schools and libraries across the country. Our history: Book People founder Ruth Erb first opened the store at an earlier incarnation of the Willow Lawn shopping center. Because she loved books, loved working with people, and wanted to combine the two, she called her new store Book People. In 1986, Erb moved the store to Granite Avenue in the Westhampton part of Richmond, where it did a brisk business. Former store employee David Shuman purchased Book People from Erb in 2018, and he has recently relocated the store to larger quarters in the Gleneagles shopping center in western Henrico.

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