Table of Contents

PrefaceCh. 1Background: From Einstein to Hubble3Ch. 2Lemaitre's Fireworks Universe22Ch. 3Gamow's Big Bang80Ch. 4The Steady-State Alternative142Ch. 5Creation and Controversy202Ch. 6The Universe Observed269Ch. 7From Controversy to Marginalization318Ch. 8Epilogue: Dynamics of a Controversy389Appendix IA Cosmological Chronology, 1917-1971397Appendix IITechnical Glossary400Notes403Bibliography447Index487

Promotional Information

The ultimate validation of the big-bang theory makes for a fascinating book. Kragh [tells] the story in comprehensive and compelling detail. -- Jack Zirker, National Optical Astronomy Observatories

About the Author

Helge Kragh is Professor of the History of Science at the University of Oslo. His works include a biography of P.A.M. Dirac.

Reviews

Honorable Mention for the 1997 Award for Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Physics and Astronomy, Association of American Publishers One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 1997 "An exhilarating read--and not just for cosmologists. For although Kragh has produced a thoroughly scholarly work, he is nevertheless an excellent writer and his book could easily be enjoyed by anyone who is fascinated by the evolution of big scientific ideas. And they don't come much bigger than the origin, evolution, and fate of the Universe."--Marcus Chown, New Scientist "[An] insightful, thoroughly researched treatment of the intellectual development of modern cosmology."--Woodruff T. Sullivan III, Science "[An] excellent book ... [a] thorough and detailed understanding... has enabled Kragh to write... enjoyable descriptions of complex issues... It is difficult to imagine a more complete and scholarly account of this epoch of cosmological history."--Bernard Lovell, The Times Literary Supplement "As one who has been intimately involved with the subject, I thoroughly appreciated reading this work... There are still a few left who believe that science advances relentlessly in a straight line. The actual zigzag path is beautifully illuminated in this book."--Hermann Bondi, Nature "[A] masterful interpretation of modern cosmology's emergence."--Karl Hufbauer, Physics Today "[An] excellent book... It is difficult to imagine a more complete and scholarly account of this epoch of cosmological history."--Bernard Lovell, The Times Literary Supplement "This is very good scientific history and in some measure philosophy written by someone who has an understanding of the process of scientific work. The writing is clear and largely non-technical... The general ideas that underpin the book hold for science broadly. Although the focus is cosmology, the book will appeal to anyone to anyone with an interest in how science actually works, whether it is through the history or the philosophy."--D.R. Matravers, Contemporary Physics