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How to Build a Universe cover art

How to Build a Universe

By: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem
Narrated by: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem, Eric Idle - foreword
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Summary

From the hosts of the legendary BBC Radio 4 programme comes this irreverent celebration of scientific marvels - a hectic leap through the grand and bizarre ideas conjured up by human imagination, from dark matter to consciousness via neutrinos and earthworms.

Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince take the musings of the great and the good of British science, producing an insight into the multifaceted subjects involved in building a universe, with pearls of wisdom from leading scientists and comedians peppered throughout.

Covering thousands of concepts and conundrums, they tackle everything from the big bang to parallel universes, fierce creatures to extraterrestrial life, brain science to artificial intelligence. Bringing together the best, most unusual and hilarious of the inquisitive minds that help us shape and understand our world, from Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dara Ó Briain to Sir Patrick Stewart, Tim Minchin, Stephen Fry and more, How to Build a Universe is an illuminating and inspirational celebration of science - sometimes silly, sometimes astounding and very occasionally facetious.

©2017 Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"A witty and irreverent look at the world according to science." ( Independent)
"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)

What listeners say about How to Build a Universe

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    5 out of 5 stars

Must listen to the entire book - brilliant

The book stumbles a bit in the beginning, and you start to wonder if it’s going to be any good, as the book starts with a lengthy comedy bit which is a bit half-baked (hence only 4 stars. But once they get into the meat of the science it is a really great book to listen to. I particularly like the way they present the information so that a lay person can understand it without dumbing it down. I also like the discussions about the need to be skeptical of the pseudo sciences, and the deep analysis that Brian makes on the scientific methods and why they are important. From the Big Bang to the heat-death of the universe in the unimaginably distant future, it’s all covered. I’m a fan of the monkey cage podcasts, and I’m glad I’ve bought this book too. Gonna start at the beginning again and enjoy it once more

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20 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Should be mandatory.

Some of this is a bit flippant and jokey. And I don't mind that at all.

But there are many key ideas about how science works and the human endeavour to expand and explore, that I feel charging for this isn't ideal. It's preaching to the choir. This stuff (choice quotes of, at least) should be part of any science curriculum.

I'd have no hesitation to recomend it to anyone with an interest in anything cosmological or scientific.

But I'd love to force flat-Earthers and the recent black hole deniers to listen, contemplate, and consider their position given the content of this book.

Because this stuff is, I feel, monumentally important. And (jokes aside) very serious in today's world.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating and hilarious

An absolute treat for fans of Infinite Monkey Cage, both Brian Cox and Robert Ince contribute to this audiobook, bringing extra levels of humour to an already brilliant view on modern physics. Even illustrated sections of the book are described or acted out, often with hilarious consequences. The details of the science aren't glossed over, but Brian's talent for making these tricky concepts easier to grasp mixed with Robert's light hearted take on them make this a very informative and enjoyable read for both newcomers and more advanced readers alike

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1 person found this helpful

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Realtín

Stellar performances and as hugely entertaining as the show. The comic strip descriptions are class!

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1 person found this helpful

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Complex and Simple

Brian had a knack of being able to explain complex subjects in a refreshing way that can be more easily understood. Of course, some of it still went over my head, but I enjoyed listening to the whole thing. It’s well delivered, informative, funny and entertaining. I’d never heard their Monkey Cage show before, but am now searching it out to listen to them some more.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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open the book and stretch your mind.

This book makes me want to know more than I do, more than I can know to a deeper level than may even be possible.
I think I know when a strawberry dies now and my head hurts thinking about how big an infinit cage is.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

mind blowing yet sleep inducing crazyness

some... ok most of the science went over my head until Robin made me laugh with his version and Professor Cox's narration of the multiple demise of the universe is weirdly terrifying to my mind yet inversely calming to my ears. I may not understand the universe but I do now understand my mother (cognitive closure)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listening 👌

Read with Great humour and explanation. Great fun to listen to all three of them giving so much understanding to what is an infinite question.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

enjoyable in parts (not the R.I. parts)

half of the book is narrated by Robin Ince, which means it is 50% fascinating 50% rambling. i found myself skipping his sections later in the book. he has his role in the duo but it is well over egged in this book, however it is made up for by Brian Cox, such a brilliant communicator of difficult concepts. just like his lives show, the slam poety interuptions are both unnecessary and not entertaining. also if you are going to make up fake correspondence at least make an effort. 4/5 is a fair score 5/5 if the book was shortened.

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Engrossing

I really didn’t fancy this seeing as it was podcast. I am really glad I bought it though and it is up there with some of the best listening in the STEM audiobook range. Professor Cox is just as soft on the ear whilst demanding attention and intrigue simultaneously as ever.

Talking points are were interesting ranging from quantum field theory to people dressing up in Bigfoot costumes with glass eyes. Can’t recommend it enough, especially with the added humour to break up the sometimes difficult subjects in a ver well compact and comprehend able way.

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