Simon Singh received his Ph.D. in particle physics from the University of Cambridge. A former BBC producer, he directed the BAFTA Award-winning documentary film Fermat's Last Theorem and wrote Fermat's Enigma, the best-selling book on the same subject. His best seller The Code Book was the basis for the BBC series The Science of Secrecy.
"It's hard to imagine a grander, more thrilling story...fast-paced...hugely entertaining...Big Bang is, quite literally, cosmic." -- New York Times"Inimitable. . . . There's no better account of the big bang theory." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"A clear, lively, and comprehensive view of the way science arrived at the leading theory of how everything began."- -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"This book is a blast...who knew that the Big Bang could be so much fun?" -- James Gleick, bestselling author of CHAOS and FASTER"Singh is one of the best science journalists writing today...Impressive." -- London Times (Sunday)"An expert but friendly guide to help you decode the mysteries [of the universe] with crisp, clear running commentary." -- Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind"Singh's unerring eye for picturesque anecdotes and his capacity for simplifying complex scientific ideas is a winning formula." -- Saturday Daily Telegraph (London)"(Singh) is a gifted expositor, ready to venture to places other science popularisers don't even try to reach." -- The Mail (on Sunday)"Highly readable... Singh brings the colourful protagonists in his story to life." -- New Scientist"Singh spins tales of cryptic intrigue in every chapter." -- Wall Street Journal on The Code Book"Entertaining and satisfying. . . . Offers a fascinating glimpse into the mostly secret competition between codemakers and codebreakers." -- USA Today on The Code Book"Enthralling...commendably lucid...[Singh's] book provides a timely and entertaining summary of the subject." -- Economist on The Code Book"Brings together...the geniuses who have secured communications, saved lives, and influenced the fate of nations. A pleasure to read." -- Chicago Tribune on The Code Book"An absorbing tale of codemaking and codebreaking over the centuries." -- Scientific American on The Code Book"The history of mathematics comes alive even for those who dread balancing their checkbooks." -- Publishers Weekly on Fermat's Enigma"An excellent account of one of the most dramatic and moving events of the century." -- New York Times on Fermat's Enigma"Fascinating...Simon Singh loves storytelling and has a knack for digging up underappreciated characters." -- New York Newsday"Singh is a gifted writer...a good storyteller...and [he] knows how to describe and explain complex and esoteric subjects." -- San Diego Union-Tribune
It was cosmologist Fred Hoyle who coined the term "big bang" to describe the notion that the universe exploded out of nothing to kick-start space and time. Ironically, Hoyle himself espoused the steady state theory, positing that the universe is eternal and never really changes. Former BBC producer and science writer Singh (Fermat's Enigma) recounts in his inimitable down-to-earth style how the big bang theory triumphed. Readers will find here one of the best explanations available of how Cepheid stars are used to estimate the distance of other galaxies. Singh highlights some of the lesser-known figures in the development of the big bang theory, like Henrietta Leavitt, a volunteer "computer" at the Harvard College Observatory who in 1912 discovered how Cepheid stars can be used to measure galactic distances. Singh shows how the creation of the heavier elements was a major stumbling block to widespread adoption of the big bang until Hoyle (once again boosting the theory that he so fervently opposed) proved that they were created in stars' nuclear furnaces and strewn throughout the universe via supernova explosions. Readers who don't need a review of the early development of cosmology may wish that Singh had adopted a somewhat less leisurely pace. But his introductory chapters hold a lot of worthwhile material, clearly presented for the science buff and lay reader. There's no better account of the big bang theory than this. B&w photos and illus. Agent, Patrick Walsh at Carville and Walsh, London. (Jan. 7) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
"It's hard to imagine a grander, more thrilling story...fast-paced...hugely entertaining...Big Bang is, quite literally, cosmic." -- New York Times"Inimitable. . . . There's no better account of the big bang theory." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"A clear, lively, and comprehensive view of the way science arrived at the leading theory of how everything began."- -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"This book is a blast...who knew that the Big Bang could be so much fun?" -- James Gleick, bestselling author of CHAOS and FASTER"Singh is one of the best science journalists writing today...Impressive." -- London Times (Sunday)"An expert but friendly guide to help you decode the mysteries [of the universe] with crisp, clear running commentary." -- Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind"Singh's unerring eye for picturesque anecdotes and his capacity for simplifying complex scientific ideas is a winning formula." -- Saturday Daily Telegraph (London)"(Singh) is a gifted expositor, ready to venture to places other science popularisers don't even try to reach." -- The Mail (on Sunday)"Highly readable... Singh brings the colourful protagonists in his story to life." -- New Scientist"Singh spins tales of cryptic intrigue in every chapter." -- Wall Street Journal on The Code Book"Entertaining and satisfying. . . . Offers a fascinating glimpse into the mostly secret competition between codemakers and codebreakers." -- USA Today on The Code Book"Enthralling...commendably lucid...[Singh's] book provides a timely and entertaining summary of the subject." -- Economist on The Code Book"Brings together...the geniuses who have secured communications, saved lives, and influenced the fate of nations. A pleasure to read." -- Chicago Tribune on The Code Book"An absorbing tale of codemaking and codebreaking over the centuries." -- Scientific American on The Code Book"The history of mathematics comes alive even for those who dread balancing their checkbooks." -- Publishers Weekly on Fermat's Enigma"An excellent account of one of the most dramatic and moving events of the century." -- New York Times on Fermat's Enigma"Fascinating...Simon Singh loves storytelling and has a knack for digging up underappreciated characters." -- New York Newsday"Singh is a gifted writer...a good storyteller...and [he] knows how to describe and explain complex and esoteric subjects." -- San Diego Union-Tribune
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