TITLE:  The Universe in Your Hand: A Journey Through Space, Time, and Beyond

AUTHOR:  Christophe Galfard

DATE PUBLISHED:  2016

FORMAT:  Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781447284109

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DESCRIPTION:

"Imagine if The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was a real hand book...

Internationally renowned physicist and bestselling author Christophe Galfard takes us on a wonder-filled journey through the past, present and future of the universe – all from the comfort of a sofa.

The Universe in Your Hand explores some of the most profound and amazing ideas of our times – Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Time Travel, Parallel Realities and Multiple Universe – with the promise that you'll only need one equation: the fabled E = mc²

Written from the cutting edge of today's technology, including the latest research on gravitational waves, The Universe in Your Hand is the perfect primer for anyone curious about our extraordinary universe."

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REVIEW:

I'm a bit uncertain on how to rate, or even review, this book.  On the one hand, the explanations of physics, quantum mechanics, general relativity, astrophysics, cosmology, gravity, etc are pretty good and, most importantly, understandable without requiring a physics degree.*  On the other hand, the imaginary adventurous travels (i.e. thought experiments) to such things as the inside of atoms and the cosmos in general just didn't really work for me, though I did eventually get used to it.  Maybe this sort of thing works better for people who have pictures and movies pop up in their heads when they read books, but that simply isn't me.  Otherwise, an interesting introductiory book that makes mind-bending subjects not so complicated, while managing to be entertaining at the same time.

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*Except String Theory.  I think you need to have ingested a substantial quantity of magic mushrooms for that to make any sense.

Where Hearts Collide in the Greatest Show in Space

Join us aboard Blue Star Line’s crown jewel, the LS Quantum. Thirteen USA Today, Amazon best-selling, award-winning speculative fiction romance authors deliver their twists on tales set in the dance halls and clubs of this luxury starship as it travels through space and time.

Follow princes, sultans, rock stars, scientists, cirque artists, and dancers as they solve murders, track thieves, fight bullies, plan heists and fall in love.

Catch a Falling Star by CJ Cade
Chaz Jaguari, inter-galactic singing star, hides out until a sexy Tygress wanders into his lair and brings the jaded star roaring back to life. 

Starlight by Kerry Adrienne
Astronomer Dr. Andrew Mann becomes enthralled with a performing particle shifter. Stella wants to trust the scientist, but she has a secret, and she’s scared. 

Midnight at Andromeda’s by Tessa McFionn
Reluctant groom, Prince Marqaz, moonlights as a common bartender...until the surprising arrival of his like-minded affianced, Karyna.

Stars Shining Bright Above by Jayne Fury
Astra Faraday ran from a life of piracy. Dr. Zane Jones signed on to the ship to escape a former life—one that was killing him. When her mentor is murdered their pasts collide as they solve the crime and fall in love.

Star-Studded Love by Rosalie Redd
Caleb hides his disability behind his job as an exotic dancer, keeping women at arm’s length. Then he meets Adara. How much will they risk to find their dreams together? 

Forbidden Alliance by Athena Grayson
It’s going to take brain surgery and rocket science to reunite a pair of long-lost, star-crossed lovers. 

Razer’s Edge by Selene Grace Silver
Erotic dancer Ayanna headlines at the cabaret until a psychic thief named Razer uses her identity to pull off the plunder of a lifetime, jeopardizing everything.

A Dance of Fallen Stars by Kat Vancil
Notorious playboy Kealan Corkoran’s been branded an illegal stowaway light-years from home. His one chance to get out of this mess: working under the impassioned daemon choreographer who got him into it. 

Vordol’s Vow by Dena Garson
Bodyguard Vordol Silveira vows to be the best, keeping his heart disengaged. Pitannah Lorento dreams of winning the intergalactic burlesque competition. When she’s threatened, Vordol’s vow is put to the test.

Hide and Peek by Blaire Edens
Religious zealots storm the burlesque club where Suzy headlines, forcing her run, leaving behind a precious possession. Davell hooks up with Suzy to catch the perps, her actions set off a chain of dangerous events. 

Educated by the Master by Cailin Briste
Take one talkative novice to kink. Combine with a master who prefers the silence of meditation. Bake on high heat at the Cosmic Cabaret. Luscious.

Comets and Caviar by Jenna Lincoln
Smooth undercover agent Malachi Cartier’s lavish tastes include fine spirits and ladies. 

#Science_Fiction, #Romance, #Anthology, 4 out of 5 (very good)

This is an extremely interesting and well written book about oxygen - how oxygen spurred the evolution of life, the functioning of oxygen in biological systems, aging, how oxygen relates to everyday life (besides breathing), amongst others. The nice thing about this book is that the author assumes his readers are intelligent and so doesn't simplify his writing or the concepts so much that it practically turns into gibberish.

NOTE:

The author's view of junk DNA is a bit dated - the book was published in 2002 and research on junk DNA has advanced since then. Some other information might also be dated, but that is simply how science and science writing work.  If you are intelligent enough to read this book, you should also be intelligent enough not to swallow everything you read - hook, line and sinker.

OTHER RELATED RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

* The Emerald Planet: How Plants Changed Earth's History by David Beerling

* Why We Get Sick: The New Science of Darwinian Medicine by Randolph M. Nesse, George C. Williams

* Under a Green Sky: Global Warming, the Mass Extinctions of the Past, and What They Can Tell Us About Our Future by Peter D. Ward