A History of the Universe from the Big Bang to Consciousness
May 1, 2024
Connecting topics ranging from the Big Bang to the birth of consciousness to what shapes our personalities, Coulson, a University of Oxford professor, presents two stories in parallel: the story of the universe from its birth to the present and the story of what had to happen for the author and reader to exist. Written for a general audience, the text begins with a chapter familiarizing readers with the scientific method and how science works. The following chapters cover energy, force fields, quarks and electrons, stars and planets, sentient life, and more. Coulson offers engaging, personal anecdotes throughout the book, including a bout with cerebral malaria as a young man that prompted him to attempt to understand existence, tales of his dog Woofler, and the challenges he encounters as the current head of the Department of Biology at Oxford. Black-and-white charts and images illustrate concepts and complement the text, and the book concludes with a list of further readings arranged by their scientific field. Coulson's enthusiasm and expertise are apparent throughout this fascinating and informative text.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
May 6, 2024
Coulson, a zoology professor at Oxford University, debuts with an expansive if overly digressive chronicle of how billions of years of cosmic history set the stage for the emergence of humans. He explains that “13.77 billion years ago, the universe was a ball of hot energy” that transformed into electrons and quarks, the latter of which joined together to form the first protons and neutrons. Some nine billion years later, the planet Theia collided with Earth and kicked up debris that consolidated into the moon, which created tidal conditions crucial to the development of the first life forms. He details the extraordinary sequence of events that had to happen for life to appear on Earth; for instance, if Jupiter hadn’t moved around the solar system before settling into its current orbit, the space debris it absorbed would have been pulled to Earth, making it too heavy to stay in the habitable zone. Elsewhere, Coulson explores the origins of DNA and how consciousness emerged to organize the five senses. Unfortunately, tedious tangents about Coulson’s love for Australia’s Bungle Bungle mountain range and life in academia distract. Intrusive personal commentary drags down an otherwise enlightening whistle-stop scientific history. Agent: Rebeca Carter, Rebecca Carter Literary.