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Human Universe
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
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Human Universe
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Summary
Human life is a staggeringly strange thing. On the surface of a ball of rock falling around a nuclear fireball in the blackness of a vacuum, the laws of nature conspired to create a naked ape that can look up at the stars and wonder where it came from. What is a human being? Objectively, nothing of consequence. Particles of dust in an infinite arena, present for an instant in eternity. Clumps of atoms in a universe with more galaxies than people. Yet a human being is necessary for the question itself to exist, and the presence of a question in the universe - any question - is the most wonderful thing. Questions require minds, and minds bring meaning. What is meaning? I don't know, except that the universe and every pointless speck inside it means something to me. I am astonished by the existence of a single atom and find my civilisation to be an outrageous imprint on reality. I don't understand it. Nobody does, but it makes me smile.
This book asks questions about our origins, our destiny, and our place in the universe. We have no right to expect answers; we have no right to even ask. But ask and wonder we do. Human Universe is first and foremost a love letter to humanity - a celebration of our outrageous fortune in existing at all.
I have chosen to write my letter in the language of science, because there is no better demonstration of our magnificent ascent from dust to paragon of animals than the exponentiation of knowledge generated by science. Two million years ago we were apemen. Now we are spacemen. That has happened, as far as we know, nowhere else. That is worth celebrating.
Critic reviews
"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)
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What listeners say about Human Universe
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Daryl
- 30-10-16
Such a Great Book!
I really enjoyed this book. I am no physicist but the way this is written makes it easy to understand all the concepts covered. It is full of facts and figures but somehow is given just enough whimsy and the odd song lyric to keep it entertaining. It shows an insight into science through the ages and Brian tells us his own opinions and take on the universe and our place in it. The narrator has a real talent too. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- kasia
- 25-11-16
excellent!
Insightful and fascinating carrying a beautiful message without a sense of preaching. definitely recommen for everyone.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Jake
- 21-04-17
Excellent
An excellent and inspiring book. It has broadened my understanding of the challenges we face as a race to ensure our survival.
I only recommend this book if you have a reasonably good understanding of physics/science in general.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Iain
- 19-10-19
Amazing book
Incredibly detailed and unbiased history of humans as living creatures. It explores the possibility of life being found outside earth while reminding you how privileged we are to exist in the first place.
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- Robert
- 21-08-19
An extraordinary tale
An absolutely exquisite book allowing for a lot of thought and speculation about our place in the universe. Truly inspirational and thought provoking!
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- Stanley Hopea
- 16-04-17
Wonderful
Brilliant. No matter whether it is in addition to, or independent from having watched the excellent TV series.
A captivating-yet-rational, visionary-yet-grounded journey from our origins to imagining our destiny as a species.
I'm surprised it did not win more awards, or get more coverage when it was released.
Highly recommended!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Andrew
- 08-04-17
A solid Science book
I originally expected Brian Cox to narrate this book, however Samuel West does a top job.
I struggled with some of the science bits, not coming from a science background, so there where time all I was hearing was blah blah, quantum blah blah quark blah blah, my fault I know, but beware where you are listening to this , sometimes you really need to concentrate.
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- Mr T C
- 21-02-17
Phenomenal
A definitive guide to everything for the beginner! Highly recommend for anyone's book collection. Everyone should hear this
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- sian ahern
- 06-04-17
Please read this!
This is a fascinating, emotional rollercoaster ride that I was not expecting from a science based book. If you are human- read it! It has way more levels than most recent similar books and adds humour just when you need it.
There aren't enough stars to rate this book.
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- William Boyle
- 25-05-17
great listening v
ery interesting subject matter, Brian Cox has look been a favourite of mine. Will be recommending this book to many people.
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