Forces of Nature

By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen

Narrated by: Samuel West

Sunday Times Bestseller

A breathtaking and beautiful exploration of our planet, this groundbreaking book accompanies the BBC One TV series, providing the deepest answers to the simplest questions.

How did life on Earth begin?
What is the nature of space and time?
What are the chances that we will discover life on other worlds?

Forces of Nature takes you from the mid-Atlantic ridge in Iceland, the volcanoes of Indonesia and the precipitous cliffs in Nepal, to the manatees off the coast of Florida and the northern lights of the Arctic, in search of the fundamental laws that govern our world.

These universal laws shape everything, from the structure of snowflakes to the elegant spirals of the galaxies. By seeking to understand the everyday world – the colours, structure, behaviour and history of our home – we can step beyond the everyday and approach the Universe beyond.

Think you know our planet?
Think again.

©2017 Professor Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

Praise for Professor Brian Cox:

‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian

‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent

‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times

‘Engaging, ambitious and creative.’ Guardian

‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express

‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday

EVERYBODY should read Brian’s book!

I am serious; if everybody in the world read this book we would have a better planet to live in. It is impossible to appreciate something that we do not understand or know how rare and fragile it is. Every earthling should know why the sky is blue, sunsets red, and rainbows an arch.

Amazing book! Wish it was longer

Wonderful book on scientific thought and the study of the universe. It is no science textbook, but you need some background in high school science to get the full impact.

My favourite thing about this book is the passion and wonder for science that jumps from the “page”, so to speak. I wish it was a longer book!

inspiring!

Better than science fiction. Science is so fascinating and this book really makes one appreciate it. Thank you!

Excellent

Inspiring, thought provoking, impactful. Everything I needed to hear about the elements that shape the physical phenomenon of our natural world. One of those books you listen to where you feel the compulsive need to stop every five minutes to write it all down & upon completing find yourself driving to the bookstore to buy the hard copy. One to read again.

So good

More please tell us about quantum entanglement and the possibility of faster than light communication

Another home run

Professor Cox is an outstanding author pertaining to the realm of physics. This book is more of a “casual read” in my opinion. I say that because I’ve read a lot of comments about accompanying pdf’s and the trouble that causes for some. That’s not the case here. This book’s a journey chock full of information. I enjoyed it. I hope you do, too.

Love it

Would've preferred it to be narrated by Brian Cox but either way it was terrific

Interesting and will written

Brian Cox has done a wonderful job with this book. He tells the story of science by starting each chapter with a seemingly simple question, and synthetizes a rich fabric of physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and mathematics to formulate a surprisingly understandable answer to each.

Well written and superbly explained for those of is interested, but not so knowledgeable

Superbly written subject matter for those interested in basic modern science at the leading edge. Explanations made straightforward and easy to understand. Most enjoyable.

Superb Scientific Communicator.

I was floored by Cox and Cohen’s precise and perfected delivery. Inspiring beyond belief, I can only dream to follow in their footsteps.

Thank you. A truly beautiful read. A masterpiece summary of our times.