The Edge of Physics

A Journey to Earth's Extremes to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe

By: Anil Ananthaswamy

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

In this deeply original book, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy sets out in search of the telescopes and detectors that promise to answer the biggest questions in modern cosmology. Why is the universe expanding at an ever faster rate? What is the nature of the "dark matter" that makes up almost a quarter of the universe? Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life? Are there others besides our own?

Ananthaswamy soon finds himself at the ends of the earth in remote and sometimes dangerous places. Take the Atacama Desert in the Chilean Andes, one of the coldest, driest places on the planet, where not even a blade of grass can survive. Its spectacularly clear skies and dry atmosphere allow astronomers to gather brilliant images of galaxies billions of light-years away. Ananthaswamy takes us inside the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope on Mount Paranal, where four massive domes open to the sky each night "like dragons waking up." He also takes us deep inside an abandoned iron mine in Minnesota, where half-mile-thick rock shields physicists as they hunt for elusive dark matter particles. And to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, where engineers are drilling 1.5 miles into the clearest ice on the planet. They're building the world's largest neutrino detector, which could finally help reconcile quantum physics with Einstein's theory of general relativity.The stories of the people who work at these and other dramatic research sites, from Lake Baikal in Siberia to the Indian Astronomical Observatory in the Himalayas to the subterranean lair of the Large Hadron Collider make for a compelling new portrait of the universe and our quest to understand it.

An atmospheric, engaging, and illuminating read, The Edge of Physics depicts science as a human process, bringing cosmology back down to earth in the most vivid terms.

©2010 Anil Ananthaswamy (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A meticulous, accessible update of the latest ideas and instruments that contribute to the clarification of an increasingly puzzling universe." (Kirkus Reviews)

Less Physics & More Travel Literature & History

I enjoyed this book. I bought it for a road trip with my partner, he is an engineer and I am an Arts student and this appealed to us both. Although the title is the edge of physics it is less about the physics itself and much more travel writing in the pursuit of how present theories are being tested. I enjoyed the history behind the theories well as the travel, and my partner enjoyed the aspects where the author described how they are attempting to prove various theories like string theory and multiple universes.

A History of Modern Astronomy

This was interesting and I continued reading it even though I realized after a while that this was more of a lesson in history and geography then anything on the 'edge of physics'. I'll read the description a little more closely next time. For what it is, this is a good book. The narrator does a great job and it was an enjoyable book. I wouldn't recommend it though unless you get really jazzed by the history of science.

Good information

Any additional comments?

An interesting look at the complex machines these physicist brainiacs build to observe and measure these crazy waves and particles. The author discusses the machines but also discusses the astronomy, the quantum stuff, and the overall theories on unification. I made progress in my slow investigation of this kind of material. It helped me to really begin to understand large energy machines and the dance between particles and wave and energy stuff. It amazed me when he was talking how these people are trying to catch tiny particles and using bended light to see around galaxies - it makes me realize people are way smart - there's no other animal that even begins to understand this stuff, yet humans have created machiens that measure and detect particles, waves, and phenomenon from billions of light years away and that reach beyond the sub-atomic scale - its amazing!

Physics ain't for wussies!

This book is an adventure brochure of the most extreme places on Earth where scientists need to go to experiment and observe, in pursuit of the boundaries of scientific knowledge. If you're going to find the Higg's Boson or prove String Theory, that's just the way it is. So the author goes around the world, and to the poles, describing the incredible feats of engineering and harsh environments where this science is done. The author has a way with words, and his descriptions are poetic. The hard science in the book is kept to layman's terms, no equations, no complex scientific analogies. On the whole, it is a good book, I listened to the entire thing and enjoyed it. 4/5 stars only because it is more about the extreme locations where physics is being done, rather than the extreme concepts in physics itself. Great narrator.

Wonderful!

Having read a number of these kind of books, I can say that they span a wide range of readability and technicality. This book is very readable, accessible. And, it's just technical enough to be interesting while explaining some pretty technical subjects such as the search for WIMPs.

The stories are great and hopefully will enhance the readers respect for scientific research.

A+ A lot of fun, very interesting and educational. That's a great read in my book.

Chris Reich

Excellent book

This book gives us an excellent insight to the origin and evolution of the universe, particularly how scientists achieve this using the advanced instuments. I was really excited to hear, how the author explains many advanced concepts in physics in a simple understandable manner. I will buy more books from this author irrespective of the subject. Excellent work.

Space - a Mystery

I enjoyed listening to this book although it was beyond my understanding much of the time. The reader was superb and captivating even in the dense scientific passages. If one is curious about space, astronomy and astrophysics, this book is for you,

Surprised by the personal, earthiness of Anil

Anil excels in letting you feel the lives of the people and places of discovery.

The ending was disappointing. It's style and emphasis were obviously not Anil's. The editor's heavy handedness glared over Anil's in an attempt to interject the manipulated contrivance and preachiness of the 'Global Warming' cult.

Luckily, Anil's own unique, warm personal wonder and respect for the honest sweat and sacrifice of true discovery touches a reader's heart and mind.

Enjoy this book. =)

Interesting, but over my head!

Would you try another book from Anil Ananthaswamy and/or L. J. Ganser?

Yes, it stretches me! I've really enjoyed what I've been able to understand. LOVED it when the announcement about the Higgs Boson was made regarding dark matter, and at least I had an inkling what they were talking about!!

Would you recommend The Edge of Physics to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I have already. I have shared it with my 11 year old son, just to stretch his thinking as well. It's ok to listen and not understand every word and concept!

Would you listen to another book narrated by L. J. Ganser?

Yes, I like the narrator!

Do you think The Edge of Physics needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Who knows! Don't ask me, like I said, I'm struggling with what I'm learning now (and I'm pretty smart!),

Excellent adventure around the world if physics!

A well told story of the extremes we are going to in the pursuit of knowledge. A relentless and unending journey to explore the origins of the universe.