A Universe from Nothing

Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing

By: Lawrence M. Krauss

Narrated by: Lawrence M. Krauss, Simon Vance

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Where did the universe come from? What was there before it? What will the future bring? And finally, why is there something rather than nothing?

Krauss’ answers to these and other timeless questions, in a wildly popular lecture on YouTube, has attracted almost a million viewers. The last of these questions in particular has been at the center of religious and philosophical debates about the existence of God, and it’s the supposed counterargument to anyone who questions the need for God. Scientists have, however, historically focused on more pressing issues—such as figuring out how the universe actually functions, which could help us to improve our quality of life.

In this cosmological story that rivets as it enlightens, pioneering theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss explains groundbreaking scientific advances that turn the most basic philosophical questions on their head. One of the few prominent scientists to have actively crossed the chasm between science and popular culture, Krauss reveals that modern science is indeed addressing the question of why there is something rather than nothing—with surprising and fascinating results. The beautiful experimental observations and mind-bending theories are all described accessibly, and they suggest that not only can something arise from nothing, something will always arise from nothing.

With his characteristic wry humor and clear explanations, Krauss takes us back to the beginning of the beginning, presenting recent evidence for how our universe evolved—and the implications for how it will end. It will provoke, challenge, and delight listeners as it looks at the most basic underpinnings of existence in a whole new way. And this knowledge that our universe will be quite different in the future has profound consequences and directly affects how we live in the present. As Richard Dawkins described it, this could potentially be the most important scientific book with implications for supernaturalism since Darwin.

©2012 Lawrence M. Krauss (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Nothing is not nothing. Nothing is something. That’s how a cosmos can be spawned from the void—a profound idea conveyed in A Universe from Nothing that unsettles some yet enlightens others. Meanwhile, it’s just another day on the job for physicist Lawrence Krauss.” (Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History)

Excellent

Despite what some of the other reviewers have said, Krauss makes a convincing argument that the universe could arise from nothing - as long as quantum fluctuations in empty space qualify as nothing. I found his narration to be excellent as he conveys the enthusiasm that he has for the subject. I rate the book very high though I agree with some others that his continued "sniping" at the faithful is not necessary. His frustration with the God debate is worn on his sleeve.

Mindblowingly amazing!!!

This book is amazing! I learned so much from it! Lawrence Krauss is a brilliant genius!

The Unimaginable Made Accessible

This audiobook, narrated by the author, is fascinating and accessible for anyone with at least some prior understanding of cosmology, relativity, and quantum mechanics.

Pretty much a waste of time

If you are a physicist you already know all the details if you aren't you won't truly understand them just by reading this book. It would require years of education to distinguish for your self what is solid science and what is plausible theory. Deism offers plausible theory too. So why spend 11 chapters on the details of physics? My guess is to sound smart the way a preacher sounds holy, both to convince you they are right without a good argument. The book could be condensed down to 2 chapters but either way doesn't answer the real question any different or any better than a theologian. One says God is eternal and created something where there was nothing Krauss basically says quantum physics is eternal and created something out of nothing. Either way there was something even when this universe was noting and then something caused this universe to go from nothing to something. Basically something has always existed is some realm or dimension and caused this universe to exist, the question is was that something conscious?

Pretty good

Would you try another book from Lawrence M. Krauss and/or Lawrence M. Krauss and Simon Vance ?

Probaby

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

See below.

What aspect of Lawrence M. Krauss and Simon Vance ’s performance would you have changed?

Author Krause needs to be more careful distinguishing what is science and what is merely the hope or speculations of scientists. He is so desperate to eliminate any basis for religion in the universe that he overlooks those things that are supported only by his "faith" in science and not by science itself. His "what ifs" and "perhaps" thoughts are reminiscent of the show Ancient Aliens, not real science.

Only by rejecting the tools and methodology of religion ( e.g., personal faith and revelation) can he conclude there is no support for God in creation. If we rule out the tools of science in the same way (e.g. mathematics) we can conclude there is no support of science in creation. We need an approach that recognizes everyone's tools.

Could you see A Universe from Nothing being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Where to begin.

He basically says there is no evidence to support God, the universe is flat in shape, string theory is garbage, and blah blah blah dark energy this blah blah blah tiny particles and blah whatever trillions of years blah blah. When he's not beating you over the head God doesn't exist, he's talking about the smallest and most plentiful particles we can't see yet. I zone out but I'm interested so I guess it is just boring. I don't recommend this book but I like the author's book on Feynman. I need to shrink my universe down to what I can observe rather than listen to these clowns act smart and make wild guesses. Just because a number can describe time and a number can be negative does not mean time can go backwards. These guys are geeky clowns.

Devastating

This book highlights the evidentiary and logical basis for the argument of creation from nothing - ex nihilo - as well as the non-evidentiary and irrational arguments for creation with cause and creation by design. Listen to this ebook with not only an open mind but also an open heart, as what is evidently true and logically sound can sometimes require an emotional struggle to accept. Despite the internal conflict, that which is true is true whether we like it or not. Krauss' book serves as an excellent primer for destroying the last bastion of regress of the religious and magical thought and defense of "supernatural" explanations for existence.

Difficult to understand.

This book is written in a way that makes parts difficult to understand for a person not trained in the scientific area.

Interesting, but frustratingly abstract to me

I was hoping this book might just be the one I could grant a five-star rating - one that would leave me with more answers than questions. It definitely did not do that.

Some possible reasons why I suspect the book frustrated me are:
1) A book covering a subject of this complexity (and strangeness) might be better digested in printed form rather than audio. Had I been reading this book myself, I would have been better able to pause to cogitate, or back up to re-read sections that were not immediately clear. The pace of the book remained brisk throughout, and in some cases, should have been slower.
2) I have read only a handful of books on this topic in the past, and I have no formal training in the field, so my foundation for understanding this is perhaps weaker than required.
3) The book provided no downloadable appendix, as some books do. Such a document could have offered some diagrams to help with some of the more difficult concepts (flat/open/closed universe geometries, etc.)

In any case, many of the concepts presented here are simply too abstract for me to be able to put them to good use inside my head. I suspect that if I listened again several times, some of those concepts might begin to solidify, and perhaps if the narration had been done by one focused primarily on that skill. The author's performance was a bit monotonous to me, rendering the notion of a re-read less appealing.

I will likely continue to search for a book on this subject that may leave me with more answers than questions.

Life changing

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I was raised with theologians on the outdated idea that "from nothing nothing comes". I'm so happy to now have the perfect scientific rebuttal to the theist, and I can't wait to share the good news. Not to mention that I love to learn, and I learned a lot reading this book.