Ancient Light: Our Changing View of the Universe - Softcover

A short, understandable account of our changing view of the universe and of the scientists who are behind that change...Lightman has done a good job of telling the story of an exciting science. -- William Kolata New York Times Book Review Alan Lightman seeks to mediate between the worlds of modern cosmology and ordinary perception outside its strange precincts--explaining its major theories in simplified terms, introducing its cast...One senses in Ancient Light Alan Lightman's respect for the tiny wondering human mind, whatever its ability to grasp the conundrums of modern cosmology. -- David Mehegan Boston Sunday Globe Lyrical...With its reliance on plain English, metaphor, and creative analogy, Ancient Light brings cosmic abstractions down to Earth with nary a jolt. This little book is a must-read for anyone whose gaze extends beyond his or her own world into the one we--and our ancestors--share. -- Thea Singer Boston Phoenix Literary Section A charming, lucid, and accessible book that is the epitome of good popular science. I have read no finer introduction to cosmology. -- David Hughes New Scientist

MIT astrophysicist and science writer, Alan Lightman takes the reader on a grand tour of the Universe. In this compact volume he explores the history of cosmology, the theories and the evidence, the new discoveries, the outstanding questions, and the controversies.