A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing in Science and Inquiry

From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing

Lawrence M. Krauss,

Richard Dawkins (Afterword)

Start date: October 1, 2013

Finish date: October 31, 2013

Discussion: Book Club 2013

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 26 topics — 537 comments total

Book Club 2013

December 2013: "The Strangest Man"
By David · 22 posts · 150 views

last updated Jan 03, 2016 10:51AM

June 2013 - Cosmos
By Betsy , co-mod · 45 posts · 171 views

last updated Mar 11, 2014 04:07PM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Oct 02, 2013 David Rubenstein rated it really liked it

Shelves: science, astronomy

This is a short, entertaining and informative book, written by a leading cosmologist. Lawrence Krauss describes, step by step, the observational evidence for the expansion of the universe, the existence of dark matter, and dark energy. He clearly describes the differences between a closed, open, and a flat universe, and shows the the reasons why we probably live in a flat universe. I had never understood before reading his explanation, how the spatial scales of variability of the cosmic microwav This is a short, entertaining and informative book, written by a leading cosmologist. Lawrence Krauss describes, step by step, the observational evidence for the expansion of the universe, the existence of dark matter, and dark energy. He clearly describes the differences between a closed, open, and a flat universe, and shows the the reasons why we probably live in a flat universe. I had never understood before reading his explanation, how the spatial scales of variability of the cosmic microwave background radiation proves that our universe is flat. In a flat universe, space is in Euclidean geometry, and light rays travel in straight lines. The universe will not implode upon itself in the distant future.

He shows the evidence for the big bang theory--quite a lot of evidence is behind the theory--I had no idea. Scientists claim that the universe has expanded for 13.72 billion years since the big bang: How do they figure it so precisely, to four significant figures? Krauss explains this very nicely.

Krauss shows a way out of the anthropic principle, that is, that the universe's characteristics were chosen to be "just right" for the production of galaxies, stars, earth, and life. He shows that the idea of multiple universes is not so far-fetched, if one defines the universe as that region of space that is causally connected.

Krauss adds a subtle, dry humor to his text. For example, the title of the sixth chapter is The Free Lunch at the End of the Universe, a bow to the title of the book The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams. So what is the free lunch? As the universe is expanding, the density of energy remains constant. That is because for any galaxy in a flat universe, its positive energy of motion is exactly balanced by its negative energy of gravitational attraction. Truly "empty" space is unstable--small quantum fluctuations give rise to the creation of matter, and at the same time conserve energy. Krauss quotes Yogi Berra, "The future ain't what it used to be." ...more

32 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2012 Timothy Finucane rated it really liked it

A good overview of the current knowledge of cosmology. It sums up why something does spring up from nothing and how the universe needs no creator to exist. Since this is meant to be a book that the layman can understand, there does not seem to be any end notes or further reading list. I was a little disappointed in that as I frequently use such lists to find my next book and expand on a subject.

Like · see review

May 02, 2012 Clay rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

I liked it but I didn't love it -- not because it was not a fascinating subject but because quantum theory just eludes me much of the time, even when brilliant people like Krauss do their damnedest to dumb it down for me.

The ideas presented are fascinating, though. The afterward by Richard Dawkins is a gem too, a gem that is possibly the high point of the book. ...more

1 like · Like · see review