The Never-Ending Days of Being Dead: Dispatches from the Front Line of Science

I love Marcus Chown's books. This was fun too. Nothing special, but an enjoyable read.My one gripe (with many of his books, this one especially) is that, if I had a pound for every time he says "...and it turns out..." I'd not be rich, but I'd be pretty well off. And that's both annoying and a pity because people say that (or the classic "Research has shown...") when they don't want to reveal or cite their sources. I get that it's a book for the layperson (like me) but I think he does both himself and readers a disservice by this. He's even at it in the preface to the book....Aside from that, he's a great writer I think, and can make the complex subject matter very accessible and quite funny too.

I'm a Physics graduate and just love this book!It is one of the only accounts that really makes it clear that the 'Big Bang' is not really thought to be an explosion, as many believe, but a colapse of matter from the incredible amount of energy. It is also one of the clearest accounts that I've come across.For the lay person, chapter 2 (It's a bit heavy going) on 'God's number' can be skimmed without missing too much of the main thrust of the account.The real beauty in this book comes at the end. I won't spoil it, but I've introduced it to a few people I know and they have all been blown away!Please read it!!

Don't be deceived by the cartoon on the cover. This fabulous book starts off with a gentle slope down to the water hole but soon I found myself waist-deep in mind-boggling ideas. The book is written in a friendly, conversational language with occasional references to Douglas Adams but the pleasant words are there only to help you digest the collossal ideas.I found this book highly entertaining and informative but it did take me a while to read it, because my brain kept getting indigestion: so many ideas, some mutually-exclusive. It isn't a book to read in one sitting - more like a brain-food buffet to keep returning to between drinks and conversations with fellow diners.

This is a well written, mind-expanding book that makes simple(r) the understanding of cosmology. Except that the more you read it the more the underlying facts seem more and more like fiction in the Douglas Adams mould. Ultimately I got to a point where reality was too far fetched for me to cope.

This book by Marcus Chown explains some of the fundamental questions about quantum science and mathematics.Well written and aimed at people who have some grasp on the work at the cutting edge of the subjects covered within.I wouldn't say it is an easy read but you don't need a degree to understand it. Very interesting and enlightening.

Modern physics does my head in. It fascinates me but I struggle at times and often dont finish the books I buy. This is the ultimate read - makes me almost understand everything and that's about as far as you could go without faith! Looking forward to an updated version.

I have always been interested in physics at all levels and Marcus Chown explains everythjng in a simple way that is easy to understand. There is the usual fact based paragraphs as in all his books but this one also deals with some futuristic thoughts from some theorists,cosmologists etc.

Arrived safely. Given as present so unable tocomment further.

it was ok

I would have not bought this book based on the cover. Why is a cartoon Elvis floating in space? Weird. But then I ran across the author's writing online. He has an amazing ability to distill very complex ideas into something that is very easy to read and understand. I wish Marcus Chown wrote all of my text books in college.The book also covers some really interesting areas of science that completely blew my mind. Consider my mind blow. I will definitely be picking up more of Marcus Chown's writings. I just hope the book cover art is a little better next time.

Excellent. One of the best books in Physics and Cosmology I ever read. Especially interesting was chapter 7.

This book completely blew my mind. It is awsome.

Beautiful

fascinating reading!

This is a topic that some might consider a bit dry but this book has presented everything in an entertaining, thought-provoking and eminently readable form. Well done.