Book Review: Billions and Billions

Image: Random House

I have to admit, I originally picked up Billions and Billions because of the title. Seeing it paired with Carl Sagan’s name instantly reminded me of Cosmos and his distinctive way of pronouncing billions. That initial statement and his personal explanation about it provided a wonderful introduction to the book, to what turned out to be an entry into the thoughts and beliefs of Carl Sagan.

What makes Billions and Billions distinctive is that it not only contains Sagan’s views on the cosmos, but other areas and issues about the world as well. Sure, the reader does ultimately learn more about what’s outside our planet through the book, but not without also seeing his views on areas such as climate change and nuclear weapons. Yet, perhaps as only Carl Sagan could, he compares these comparatively small issues with their importance on the grand scale. Never before have I been so deeply motivated to make more progress against climate change than after reading Sagan eloquently explain how we are gradually destroying life on the only place we know to harbor it in the universe.

The last parts of the book were especially moving. As someone viewing his writings from more than a decade past his death, it was somewhat painful to see how many future developments in science and technology he yearned to see, of which, some have since come to fruition, all the while remaining optimistic about humanity. Afterwards, I realized optimism was the one thing binding the book, and its myriad of topics, together. While discussing how humanity will face the problems of climate change or nuclear weapons, he never wavered from his optimism, continuously believing that we possess the necessary will and skill to tackle these future problems.

Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium is a wonderful book for anyone wishing to read thoughtful essays on current issues from a great scientist and astronomer, or even just wishing to learn more about Carl Sagan himself. This book is available at many online bookstores, including Amazon and Random House.

Book Review: Endless Universe: Beyond the Big Bang

Image: Michael J. Windsor,
Stewart Dickson, Doubleday

Challenging something so well established like the Big Bang Theory is no easy task. But Paul Steinhardt and Neil Turok have done exactly that, presenting a contender, called the Cyclic Theory, in their book Endless Universe: Beyond the Big Bang. The theory claims that there has been a violent event that took place 14 billion years ago, like the Big Bang model, but it was not the beginning of the universe. Instead, this event was just one of many like it that take place regularly. In the evolution of the universe, Steinhardt and Turok say, there has been, and there will be a “Big Bang” about every trillion years. According to the theory, we live in just one of these cycles defined by the violent events.

One of the biggest reasons why this new theory is particularly appealing is a result of the nature of its competition. The Big Bang Theory has been heavily modified over its long history in order to match what we see in the universe. What started as something simple and appealing has grown into somewhat of a monstrous patchwork. Plus, the Big Bang Theory leaves unexplained how the violent event could be the beginning of the universe. The Cyclic Theory, in comparison, is much simpler and, as the two physicists repeatedly claim, fits current observations just as well as the Big Bang Theory.

This is why I found Endless Universe so interesting. The theory is very unique and refreshing, and the evidence that it uses to support its claims seem very sound. Although the book involves a few confusing topics that are foreign to most people, like the concept of branes, the authors explain these very well in a manner most common people can easily understand. The authors also include their personal stories in developing their model, explaining their motivations for a new revolutionary theory, which lend further to the support of the Cyclic Theory.

After finishing the book, I cannot say for sure if the Cyclic Theory is correct. In fact, the true answer can only come as more observations are performed, in areas like the study of gravitational waves. Either or both of the Big Bang and Cyclic Theories can be easily eliminated in a quick sweep with just one decisive new finding.

Still, there is great value in reading the book since it exemplifies the true nature of science, the continual quest to find a simple and true way to explain nature. It is an integral part of one of the most interesting times in cosmology, when we are presented with several plausible competing theories which all have great implications about the nature of the universe.

Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe by Simon Singh

Book Review

The author, Simon Singh, has written a wonderful history of the Big Bang theory, starting from its very beginnings. He leads up to the important discoveries by starting at the early history of Astronomy with ancient cultures and the Scientific Revolution. With this information explained, Singh provides a firm foundation to embark on to the Big Bang Theory.

Singh informs the reader about the theories of the universe through history, like the discovery of the Doppler Effect and Hubble's Law, gradually leading into the development of the Big Bang Theory. He also injects some common scientific practices, beliefs, and methods. Additionally, he talks about the competing Steady-State Universe Theory, and how it has developed, to give a sense of the strengths of the Big Bang model and why it has triumphed. Afterwards, Singh explains how the theory has evolved and developed due to new discoveries.

The thing that I most liked about the book was its format and Singh's style of writing. Simon Singh included numerous items to enhance the reader's understanding of the topic. He included charts, after he talked about new discoveries in Astronomy throughout history, to compare the competing Big Band and Steady-State models to show how they stacked up with each other. Pictures and helpful diagrams enhanced the information. There was also two page "Summary Notes" (Written like handwriting to imitate written notes) that summed up all the important information of every chapter, and provided a quick reference to look back to. Singh included human feelings and motivations as well to really give a "life" to the important characters throughout history, making them seem more realistic and human than just names and accomplishments.

Overall, this book is a great introduction to the Big Bang model of the universe, and to the methods of science as well. The Further Reading list in the back of the book is also a great collection of books that will provide additional information to the reader.

Find more information about this book on:

• Google Book Search
• Simon Singh's Website
• Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe (P.S.)
  

(This is my first book review for this blog, and I am hoping to do more in the future.)