The Unknown Universe

A New Exploration of Time, Space and Cosmology

By: Stuart Clark

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A groundbreaking guide to the universe and how our latest deep-space discoveries are forcing us to revisit what we know - and what we don't.

On March 21, 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the big bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometers of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: We will never see the early universe in more detail. On the one hand, such a view is the apotheosis of modern cosmology; on the other, it threatens to undermine almost everything we hold cosmologically sacrosanct. The map contains anomalies that challenge our understanding of the universe. It will force us to revisit what is known and what is unknown, to construct a new model of our universe.

This is the first book to address what will be an epoch-defining scientific paradigm shift. Stuart Clark will ask if Newton's famous laws of gravity need to be rewritten, if dark matter and dark energy are just celestial phantoms. Can we ever know what happened before the big bang? What's at the bottom of a black hole? Are there universes beyond our own? Does time exist? Are the once immutable laws of physics changing?

©2016 Stuart Clark, PhD (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Best Book on the Subject for the Casual Reader.

This book avoids the calculus, but is great at explaining questions I have had. For example, how do we know that Dark Matter could not be Jupiter-size bodies floating in a dark area of space? Why do they say the Universe looks the same where-ever you are in it and what-ever direction you look? These answers are within a chatty history of cosmology. I highly recommend it.

Different perspective

Written from the perspective of a journalist who has a pretty firm scientific background. Shines light on some of the current holes in physics. Interesting read.

Quantifiably Amazing

great read for a novice. Was afraid it would sound like a textbook. Quite entertaining and very informative.

Great Story / Meh Narration

Mr Hoye's end-of-word "radio voice" was slightly bothersome at first, though I got used to it. There were, though, a handful of times he used accents to "voice" certain characters, and he nailed those.

great book

Any additional comments?

This was a great book. Prior to listening I had a very elementary understanding of the universe. Although, about 25% was over my head the history and the theories were incredibly interesting. The performance was enjoyable as well. It took a minute, but once I got used to the voice, it was a perfect fit for this book. I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in learning about the history of how cosmology began.

Exactly as much cosmology as I can handle

The author is an astrophysicist and a journalist. The book is pitched to the curious non-astrophysicist and non-scientist. The writing style is clear and entertaining. I had not heard of Stuart Clark before I "read" this book but I plan to read more of him.

The performance is excellent. Stephen Hoye's narration is pleasing and paced right for popular science. (I have returned many books, most often because the narration is speeded up past the point where I can enjoy the experience.)

I think any reader with any curiosity about the beginning and the end of time, who doesn't quite understand how space and time can be the same thing, and who wonders where everything came from will enjoy this book.

misleading title. more of a history of cosmology.

misleading title. more of a history of cosmology. either way, it was a good listen for someone wanting to learn about the universe and how we got here

Best book about origin & evolution of universe

Loved it. Marvelous exposition of everything in the subtitle. Very clear writing about a very complex subject.

Clear, Intriguing & Up-to-Date Cosmology

One of the best explorations of modern physics & cosmology since Gamow’s “One, Two, Three Infinity” this book boldly touches upon the most significant theories and dilemmas of astrophysics and philosophy. A must-read for students and experts alike.

Good but not great

Starts a little slow but does end well. Definitely a shallow overview of physics but does paint a nice picture of the flow of the evolution of our understanding of the universe.