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)

That which comes from nothing returns to nothing

This book blew my mind and my imagination. As an animator and science lover I was very impressed with comprehensive the subject matter is. My imagination sparked as he spoke about the future of our universe as well as the possible other universes. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn, whether they are science literate or not. After all your brain is most happy when it learns something new.

Excellent thanks

Strange how the ideas presented have crossed my mind countless times and countless ways. Truly eye opening.

Probably better read than listened to

this is an excellent book and Krauss does an excellent job of simplifying the material but is would probably be easier to follow in written form than audio.

Lawrence Krauss Effortlessly and Exceptionally Explains Existence

This book is nothing short of brilliant. A Universe from Nothing is a challenging premise to post for a book yet Krauss effortlessly explains with direct details from experimental observations and easily comprehensible logic on the contemporary scientific understanding that everything may in fact come from nothing. He presents the theory with an extensive collection of scientific truths and understandings that upon analyzation, most certainly make his conclusion plausible, if not logical. Richard Dawkins likened the monumental scale of this book’s achievement to that of Charles Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species, and I would like to second that notion. Krauss expands with clear expertise on the facts of reality in an easy to follow book for a (smart) general audience. I cannot adequately articulate my immense appreciation for this masterpiece, as it has opened my eyes to the potential root and reason of existence itself. It challenged my pedestrian understanding and expanded my perspective of reality. Thank you to Professor Lawrence Krauss for writing this genius text.

Disappointed, Very weak.

I learned very little new from this reading. I have read a couple other books related to this topic that has more and better content. 3.6 K reviews and rating at 4.5, or so? I do not understand why anyone would rate this book above a 4. That would be someone entirely new to the concepts. I picked up a precious few ideas and found several of the other topics handled shallowly and a few that approach irrelevant, even silly.

The pasta story was long with little payoff. The net was that complex topologies can be flattened out, measured and categorized or grouped. That is not new at all and what's the practical benefit? The conclusion with platitudes stating the universe may, or may not, be numeric, was inane. I disagree with his assertion that he disproved P=NP. The summary and sample were misleading as to the quality of the content and did not deliver what was expected. I will not rely of Audible reviews again. This isn't that first book that left me feeling like I wasted money. I'll use outside reviews.

Seriously, who is rating these books so high? Family members or students? If Krause enjoys a good reputation, this book knock it down a couple rungs. I won't buy another.

What a waste

The science is very interesting, but the amount of time spent religion bashing and blowing his own horn really detracted from the book.

If you are new to the subject, listen to it!

What did you love best about A Universe from Nothing?

Let me just say, this book is great! But if you (like me) have gone thru a few books on the subject, for example Stephen Hawkins and Leonard Mlodinow’s The Grand Design (A more extensive look into this subject) this one will not make you much cleverer. But it will not bore you, far from it.

If you have no prior knowledge on the details surrounding the subject this book offers you great new insight from the world of physics and cosmology on how the universe came to be from absolutely nothing. Let me offer you the short layman formula: First there was nothing but nothing happens to be unstable on the quantum level. This “unstableness” created something that we now know as the Big Bang. Sounds weird? Yes it does, and that is one of many side stories of this book: That the modern understanding of reality goes beyond what we humans might be able to understand, comprehend and prefere. A quote from the book summarize this in seven words: “The universe does not owe us comfort”. And perhaps that is true, but I assure any potential reader that this book will offer you awe and wonder about the nature of reality and perhaps a better understanding of what reality is - and what it is not.

Nothing is wrong

Krauss further shrinks the gap for any god to hide in. Now it's time for my free lunch.

An incredible listen!

Fascinating, but a bit heavy for the casual listener. I found myself lost more often than my ego will allow me to admit to.

My favorite speaker, great book.

Loved the ideas discussed in this book. Lawrence is a wonderful presenter and science communicator and it is so nice to hear his book and ideas from the man himself.