Specify Books In Favor Of Coming of Age in the Milky Way
| Original Title: | Coming of Age in the Milky Way |
| ISBN: | 0060535954 (ISBN13: 9780060535957) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Literary Awards: | Pulitzer Prize Nominee for General Nonfiction (1989), American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award (1988) |
Timothy Ferris
Paperback | Pages: 512 pages Rating: 4.15 | 2802 Users | 129 Reviews
Be Specific About Based On Books Coming of Age in the Milky Way
| Title | : | Coming of Age in the Milky Way |
| Author | : | Timothy Ferris |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 512 pages |
| Published | : | July 29th 2003 by Harper Perennial (first published July 1988) |
| Categories | : | Science. Nonfiction. History. Astronomy. Physics |
Narration Supposing Books Coming of Age in the Milky Way
From the second-century celestial models of Ptolemy to modern-day research institutes and quantum theory, this classic book offers a breathtaking tour of astronomy and the brilliant, eccentric personalities who have shaped it. From the first time mankind had an inkling of the vast space that surrounds us, those who study the universe have had to struggle against political and religious preconceptions. They have included some of the most charismatic, courageous, and idiosyncratic thinkers of all time. In Coming of Age in the Milky Way, Timothy Ferris uses his unique blend of rigorous research and captivating narrative skill to draw us into the lives and minds of these extraordinary figures, creating a landmark work of scientific history.Rating Based On Books Coming of Age in the Milky Way
Ratings: 4.15 From 2802 Users | 129 ReviewsAssess Based On Books Coming of Age in the Milky Way
I went back and forth on whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars. COMING OF AGE IN THE MILKY WAY is a wonderful but challenging book; the latter quality is particularly evident when Timothy Ferris discusses Quantum Mechanics or String Theory. In the end, though, a 5 star book is one I know I will return to, and I can't imagine not returning to this book.In less than 400 pages, Ferris manages to describe the history of humanity's understanding of the universe, from the pre-Socratic Greeks to StringHaving had no physics or chemistry beyond the eighth grade, some of this was way beyond me, but it's a testament to Ferris' beautiful prose that I was still able to get the basic gist, finish the book, and get a lot out of it. It's not an easy read, but it just kept blowing my mind and making me think. There are so many great thoughts encapsulated here! If you like to be challenged by science, this is the book for you.On a side note, as a musician, who ostensibly makes beauty for a living, who
Ferris' book is a readable and engaging summary of the history and philosophy of cosmology with supporting vignettes into mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, and evolution (Darwin). He does a good job of weaving together historical events, personalities, and the little questions. Though he doesn't address it directly until the concluding chapter, throughout this book Ferris presents the human drive to know and understand our place in nature as specific questions have been posed. Thus,
An excellent cosmological/astrophysical primer for liberal-arts-minded readers.Favorite quote = "The greatest of all the accomplishments of twentieth-century science has been the discovery of human ignorance." - Lew Thomas
What much popular science book skip through, the history of the times and the people who developed science, this book dwells on.From Ancient Greece, Ptolemy, Aristotle, through the Renaissance, Kepler and Galileo and more, until Newton and our times, governed by Einstein. This book tells their stories, their breakthrough, and how the universe was understood in each time. So I thought this book is more of a history of science until I got to the second and third part when it took a turn to
Maybe the best book I've ever read. Definitely the best popular science book.Ferris doesn't just spout facts, he weaves a story. He puts almost every important scientific discovery in the context of the discoverer, explaining the existing thinking and how this new revelation changed (and how it had to fight for that change!)Chapter 10, focused on Einstein's theories of general and special relativity explained the why, the how, and most importantly the "and that means what for science?" better
The most recent assessment of our universe reveals its energy output is only half what it was two billion years ago. Everything is fizzling. In trillions of years, what was once vibrantly pulsating Milky Way will become a cold, dark place. How did we get to this point?This is the question Timothy Ferris tackled in his 1988 Coming of Age in the Milky Way. Its an enlightening read. Im not scientifically inclined. Yet the starry heavens fascinate me. In this Im no different from the ancient
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