Most Popular Books by Lawrence M. Krauss

How does the Star Trek universe stack up against the real universe? What warps when you''re traveling at warp speed? What is the difference between a wormhole and a black hole? Are time loops really possible, and can I kill my grandmother before I am born? Anyone who has ever wondered "could this really happen?" will gain useful insights into the Star Trek universe (and, incidentally, the real world of physics) in this charming and accessible guide. Lawrence M. Krauss boldly goes where Star Trek has gone-and beyond. From Newton to Hawking, from Einstein to Feynman, from Kirk to Picard, Krauss leads readers on a voyage to the world of physics as we now know it and as it might one day be.

An award-winning theoretical physicist and best-selling author of A Universe from Nothing traces the dramatic discovery of the counterintuitive world of reality, explaining how readers can shift their perspectives to gain greater understandings of our individual roles in the universe. --Publisher.

Internationally renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author Lawrence Krauss offers provocative, revelatory answers to the biggest philosophical questions: Where did our universe come from? Why does anything exist? And how is it all going to end? ''Why is there something rather than nothing?'' is the question atheists and scientists are always asked, and until now there has not been a satisfying scientific answer. Today, exciting scientific advances provide new insight into this cosmological mystery: not only can something arise from nothing, but something will always arise from nothing. A mind-bending trip back to the beginning of the beginning, A Universe from Nothing authoritatively presents the most recent evidence that explains how our universe evolved - and the implications for how it''s going to end. It will provoke, challenge, and delight readers to look at the most basic underpinnings of existence in a whole new way. In the words of Richard Dawkins: this could potentially be the most important scientific book since Darwin''s On the Origin of Species.

Lawrence Krauss explores the greatest unanswered questions at the forefront of science today, and likely for the coming century and beyond. Internationally known theoretical physicist and bestselling author Lawrence Krauss explores science’s greatest unanswered questions. Three of the most important words in science are “I don''t know.” Not knowing implies a Universe of opportunities—the possibility of discovery and surprise. Our understanding of science has advanced immeasurably over the last five hundred years, yet many fundamental mysteries of existence persist: How did our Universe begin? How big is the Universe? Is time travel possible? What’s at the center of a black hole? How did life on Earth arise? Are we alone? What is consciousness, and can we create it? These mysteries define the scientific forefront—the threshold of the unknown. To explore that threshold is to gain a deeper understanding of just how far science has progressed. Covering time, space, matter, life, and consciousness, Krauss introduces readers to topics that will shape the state of science for the next century, providing us all passport to our own journeys of exploration and discovery.

“Brilliant and fundamental, this is the necessary book about our prime global emergency. Here you’ll find the facts, the processes, the physics of our complex and changing climate, but delivered with eloquence and urgency. Lawrence Krauss writes with a clarity that transcends mere politics. Prose and poetry were never better bedfellows.” —Ian McEwan, Booker Prize-winning author of Solar and Machines Like Me "The ideal book for understanding the science of global warming..at once elegant, rigorous, and timely." — Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of The Sixth Extinction “A brief, brilliant, and charming summary of what physicists know about climate change and how they learned it.” —Sheldon Glashow, Nobel Laureate in Physics, Metcalf Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Boston University “The distinguished scientist Lawrence Krauss turns his penetrating gaze on the most pressing existential threat facing our world: climate change. It is brimming with information lucidly analysed. Such hope as there is lies in science, and a physicist of Dr. Krauss’s imaginative versatility is unusually qualified to offer it.” —Richard Dawkins, author of The Blind Watchmaker and Science in the Soul “Lucid and gripping, this study of the most severe challenge humans have ever faced leads the reader from the basic physics of climate change to recognition of the damage that humans have already caused and on to the prospects that lie ahead if we do not change course soon.” —Noam Chomsky, Laureate Professor, University of Arizona, author of Internationalism or Extinction? “Lawrence Krauss tells the story of climate change with erudition, urgency, and passion. It is our great good luck that one of our most brilliant scientists is also such a gifted writer. This book will change the way we think about the future.” —Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of Good Boy and She’s Not There “Everything on climate change that I’ve seen is either dumbed down and bossy or written for other climate scientists. I’ve been looking for a book that can let me, a layperson, understand the science. This book does just what I was looking for. It is important.” —Penn Jillette, Magician, author of Presto! and God, No! “The renowned physicist Lawrence Krauss makes the science behind one of the most important issues of our time accessible to all.” —Richard C. J. Somerville, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego “Lawrence Krauss is a fine physicist, a talented writer, and a scientist deeply engaged with public affairs. His book deserves wide readership. The book’s eloquent exposition of the science and the threats should enlighten all readers and motivate them to an urgent concern about our planet’s future.” —Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, former president of the Royal Society, author of On the Future: Prospects for Humanity

"Assume the cow is a sphere." So begins this lively, irreverent, and informative look at everything from the physics of boiling water to cutting-edge research at the observable limits of the universe. Rich with anecdotes and accessible examples, Fear of Physics nimbly ranges over the tools and thought behind the world of modern physics, taking the mystery out of what is essentially a very human intellectual endeavour.

The national bestselling author of The Physics of Star Trek returns with an “enthusiastic and entertaining” journey through the science of the cosmos (The Guardian, UK). Taking us on a millennia-spanning journey through the life of a single oxygen atom, physicist and author Lawrence M. Krauss traces the history of the cosmos from the Big Bang to the present—and on into the distant future. With wit and insight, Krauss explicates cutting-edge science and reveals the surprising story of matter: what it is, where it came from, and where it’s going. Along the way, this lively and accessible volume inspires wonder at the powers and unlikely events that conspired to create our solar system, our ecosystem, and us. “Lawrence Krauss has Carl Sagan’s knack of expanding the imagination and explaining the mysteries of the universe in simple terms.” —Stephen Hawking

Will the universe continue to expand forever, reverse its expansion and begin to contract, or reach a delicately poised state where it simply persists forever? The answer depends on the amount and properties of matter in the universe, and that has given rise to one of the great paradoxes of modern cosmology; there is too little visible matter to account for the behaviour we can see. Over 90 percent of the universe consists of ''missing mass'' or ''dark matter'' - what Lawrence Krauss, in his classic book, termed "the fifth essence". In this new edition of The Fifth Essence, retitled Quintessence after the now widely accepted term for dark matter, Krauss shows how the dark matter problem is now connected with two of the hottest areas in recent cosmology: the fate of the universe and the "cosmological constant." With a new introduction, epilogue and chapter updates, Krauss updates his classic and shares one of the most stunning discoveries of recent years: an antigravity force that explains recent observations of a permanently expanding universe.

Krauss (physics and astronomy, Yale) chronicles the progress by which he thinks "we have come to brink of what may be the ultimate Copernican `revolution''" through the search for dark matter. A readable account of a puzzle that ties together the large-scale structure of the universe and the fundamental nature of matter. No bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

An exploration of mankind''s fascination with worlds beyond our own-by the bestselling author of The Physics of Star Trek Lawrence Krauss -an international leader in physics and cosmology-examines our long and ardent romance with parallel universes, veiled dimensions, and regions of being that may extend tantalizingly beyond the limits of our perception. Krauss examines popular culture''s current embrace (and frequent misunderstanding) of such topics as black holes, life in other dimensions, strings, and some of the more extraordinary new theories that propose the existence of vast extra dimensions alongside our own. BACKCOVER: "An astonishing and brilliantly written work of popular science." -Science a GoGo "A brilliant, thrilling book . . . You''ll have so much fun reading that you''ll hardly notice you''re getting a primer on contemporary physics and cosmology." -Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Internationally known theoretical physicist and bestselling popular science writer Lawrence Krauss explores cosmology''s greatest unanswered questions. Three of the most important words in science are ''I don''t know''. Not knowing implies a universe of opportunities – the possibility of discovery and surprise. Our understanding of cosmology has advanced immeasurably over the last five hundred years of modern science, yet many fundamental mysteries of existence persist. How did our Universe begin, if it even had a beginning? How big is it? What''s at the bottom of a black hole? How did life on Earth arise? Are we alone? Is time travel possible? These mysteries define the scientific forefront, the threshold of the unknown. To explore that threshold is to gain a deeper understanding of just how far science has progressed. In The Known Unknowns, internationally known theoretical physicist and bestselling popular science writer Lawrence Krauss explores cosmology''s greatest known unknowns. Covering time, space, physical law, life and consciousness, Krauss introduces readers to the topics that will shape the state of science of the next few decades, and invites us to ponder and appreciate the universe in which we live.

The author of The Physics of Star Trek “expands his scope to address other sci-fi hits, ranging from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey to TV’s The X-Files” (Kirkus Reviews). In the bestselling The Physics of Star Trek, the renowned theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss took readers on an entertaining and eye-opening tour of the Star Trek universe to see how it stacked up against the real universe. Now, responding to requests for more as well as to a number of recent exciting discoveries in physics and astronomy, Krauss takes a provocative look at how the laws of physics relate to notions from our popular culture—not only Star Trek, but other films, shows, and popular lore—from Independence Day to Star Wars to The X-Files. What’s the difference between a flying saucer and a flying pretzel? Why didn’t the aliens in Independence Day have to bother invading Earth to destroy it? What’s new with warp drives? What’s the most likely scenario for doomsday? Are ESP and telekinesis impossible? What do clairvoyance and time travel have in common? How might quantum mechanics ultimately affect the fate of life in the universe? “Combining hard science and popular culture, this delightful follow-up to Krauss’s The Physics of Star Trek continues to explore the possibilities, principles and improbabilities of science fiction . . . Relaxed and full of lively conversation, Krauss is the physics teacher we all wish we had had in high school.” —Publishers Weekly

"A worthy addition to the Feynman shelf and a welcome follow-up to the standard-bearer, James Gleick''s Genius." —Kirkus Reviews Perhaps the greatest physicist of the second half of the twentieth century, Richard Feynman changed the way we think about quantum mechanics, the most perplexing of all physical theories. Here Lawrence M. Krauss, himself a theoretical physicist and a best-selling author, offers a unique scientific biography: a rollicking narrative coupled with clear and novel expositions of science at the limits. From the death of Feynman’s childhood sweetheart during the Manhattan Project to his reluctant rise as a scientific icon, we see Feynman’s life through his science, providing a new understanding of the legacy of a man who has fascinated millions.

I media sono pieni di affermazioni contrastanti e accese discussioni sull’impatto e sui rischi associati al cambiamento climatico. Lawrence M. Krauss, fisico e divulgatore scientifico tra i più stimati al mondo, fa chiarezza spiegando in modo conciso la scienza alla base del fenomeno. La fisica del cambiamento climatico fornisce una panoramica chiara e accessibile della scienza del clima e dei rischi associati all’inazione a livello globale. La narrazione di Krauss ripercorre i progressi degli scienziati verso la moderna comprensione del clima terrestre e del futuro del pianeta. Il generoso corredo di grafici e illustrazioni permette ai lettori di distinguere le predizioni saldamente basate sull’analisi di dati empirici da quelle di origine più speculativa. Con 76 figure a colori

Eine Reise zu den Ursprüngen unseres Universums Warum gibt es alles und nicht nichts? Worüber sich Philosophen seit Jahrhunderten den Kopf zerbrechen, darauf weiß die Physik Antwort: Nach den neuesten Erkenntnissen kann durchaus alles aus dem Nichts entstanden sein. Und mit Lawrence Krauss ist das gar nicht so schwer zu verstehen. Ironisch, böse und zugleich mit einem Augenzwinkern weiß Krauss selbst die Erkenntnis, dass wir aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach auch im Nichts verschwinden werden, höchst amüsant zu präsentieren, und schont dabei niemanden: weder Philosophen noch Theologen noch sich selbst. Die Frage nach der Entstehung unseres Universums ist eine der bemerkenswertesten Erkundungsreisen, die die Menschheit je unternommen hat. Einstein, Hubble, Relativitätstheorie, Inflation und Quantenmechanik – kein Bereich der Kosmologie, über den Lawrence Krauss nicht verständlich und vor allem spannend zu erzählen weiß. Dabei fragt er immer auch nach den Quellen unseres Wissens: Wie hat sich unsere Vorstellung vom Ursprung aller Dinge entwickelt? Weshalb wissen wir, was wir heute wissen? Und warum können wir davon ausgehen, dass das auch stimmt? Mit Ein Universum aus Nichts hat er ein Buch geschrieben, das schlau macht – voller Seitenhiebe gegen die theologische Zunft und alle anderen esoterischen Welterklärungen. Ganz ohne Berechnungen.

Varifrån kommer universum? Vad fanns innan det? Vad döljer sig i framtiden? Och, slutligen, varför finns det någonting istället för ingenting? Ett universum ur ingenting är en spännande kosmologisk berättelse. Över en miljon har redan sett författarens föreläsning på Youtube. Med humor och tydliga förklaringar tar Lawrence M. Krauss med oss tillbaka till början av början, och förklarar hur vårt universum uppstod – och hur det kommer att upphöra. Han provocerar, utmanar och roar samtidigt som han formulerar själva grundstommen för existensen på ett helt nytt sätt. ”Glöm Jesus,” säger Krauss, ”stjärnorna dog för att du skulle kunna födas.” Ett universum ur ingenting rekommenderades av The Guardian som en av de bästa populärvetenskapliga böckerna 2012.

A 20. század talán legnagyobb hatású elméleti fizikusa, Richard Feynman megváltoztatta azt, ahogy napjainkban a tudományról gondolkodunk. A fáradhatatlan tudományos kutató számos területen újító volt, kvantumelektrodinamikai munkásságáért Nobel-díjban részesült. Ismeretterjesztő tevékenysége során világos, könnyen érthető és szélesebb rétegek számára is befogadható magyarázatokat adott a tudományos módszerről, a kritikai gondolkodásról és a világ megismerésének megbízható módjáról: előadásairól film- és hangfelvételek készültek, számos könyvet írt, de a Challenger-katasztrófa kivizsgálásában való részvétele miatt vált igazán népszerűvé. Ugyanakkor színes egyénisége és játékossága kiemelte a tudomány szürke eminenciásainak sorából: irtózott a formalitásoktól, imádott bulizni és szenvedélyes kongadobos volt.

En esta penetrante biografía científica, Lawrence M. Krauss capta el incansable espíritu inquisitivo de Feynman y el contexto histórico en el que formuló sus teorías sobre mecánica cuántica; nos introduce también en el medio intelectual de Feynman, donde se encontraban otras figuras destacadas como Paul Dirac, John von Neumann y Robert Oppenheimer. Además de una reflexión accesible sobre los temas que configuran la física de nuestros días, este libro narra la historia de un hombre dispuesto a romper todas las reglas para dominar una teoría que las había hecho saltar por los aires.

Tác giả bán chạy nhất và nhà vật lý nổi tiếng Lawrence Krauss đưa ra một quan điểm khác biệt về cách mọi thứ tồn tại: “Vũ trụ đến từ đâu? Cái gì ở đó trước đó? Tương lai sẽ mang đến điều gì? Và cuối cùng, tại sao tồn tại một cái gì đó thay vì không có gì?” “Vũ trụ từ hư không” có một kết cấu uyển chuyển, đủ để dẫn dắt người đọc phổ thông tiệm cận với khoa học về thiên văn. Krauss đã bắt đầu câu chuyện cuốn hút của mình bằng chương giải thích ngắn gọn về sự ra đời của thuyết Big Bang, giải thích cặn kẽ về sự giãn nở của vũ trụ với những mô tả về nghiên cứu của Edwin Hubble và cách xác định tuổi của vũ trụ. Câu chuyện được tiếp tục với những lý giải về việc tìm ra bức xạ nền vi ba – bằng chứng còn sót lại của Big Bang, rồi cùng các nhà vật lý đến với những nghiên cứu “cân vũ trụ” để cố gắng lý giải cho câu hỏi “ vũ trụ phẳng”, “vũ trụ đóng”, hay “ vũ trụ mở”… Qua 11 chương sách, tác giả đã đề cập đến cả một hành trình khám phá vũ trụ đầy ấn tượng mà loài người thực hiện trong lịch sử tiến hóa của mình. * Nhận xét: “Một hướng dẫn rõ ràng, thuyết phục về vũ trụ đang nở rộng của chúng ta… Có nhiều cuốn sách hay về vũ trụ đã được xuất bản gần đây nhưng rất ít trong số đó đã đi xa như thế, và không có cuốn sách nào thuyết phục đến vậy, trong việc khám phá tại sao lại chẳng cần viện dẫn tới Chúa Trời để châm ngòi và đưa vũ trụ vào vận hành”. – Financial Times * Trích đoạn thú vị: “Một trong những sự thật nên thơ nhất mà tôi biết về vũ trụ là về cơ bản mọi nguyên tử trong cơ thể của bạn từng nằm trong một ngôi sao nào đó đã nổ trong vũ trụ. Hơn thế nữa, những nguyên tử ở tay trái của bạn có thể tới từ một ngôi sao khác với những ngôi sao mà nguyên tử bên tay phải từng thuộc về. Tất cả chúng ta, đúng theo nghĩa đen, sinh ra từ các ngôi sao, và cơ thể này của chúng ta được làm từ bụi sao.”

Die Entschlüsselung des Universums ist das größte Abenteuer der Menschheit Warum sind wir hier? Diese Frage steht hinter dem jahrtausendealten Versuch der Menschen, die Welt, in der wir leben, zu begreifen. Lawrence Krauss, einer der bekanntesten Astrophysiker der Gegenwart, erzählt die Geschichte dieses größten geistigen Abenteuers der Menschheit: Schritt für Schritt zu entschlüsseln, wie das Universum entstanden ist, woraus es besteht, wie es funktioniert und welche Rolle wir darin spielen, kurz, die Entdeckung der verborgenen Welt hinter der wahrnehmbaren Realität im Großen wie im Kleinen. Packend und anschaulich schildert er die Entwicklung der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse bis hin zu dem faszinierenden Bild, das die Physik unserer Zeit von den rätselhaften Strukturen und Kräften des Universums zeichnet.

La téléportation a-t-elle un sens pour les scientifiques ? Peut-on vraiment traverser les trous noirs qui émaillent l''univers ? A quelles conditions le voyage intergalactique est-il possible ? Bref, qu''y a-t-il de vrai et de faux dans Star Trek, la série-culte qui a pour héros le fameux docteur Spock ? De la loi de la gravitation à la théorie de la relativité, de la mécanique quantique à la physique des particules, Lawrence M. Krauss nous invite à un véritable voyage dans le voyage, où l''on s''apercevra que la science-fiction n''est pas toujours aussi aberrante qu''on le dit. Sans doute parce que, comme l''écrit Stephen Hawking dans la préface de ce livre, " la science-fiction suggère des idées que les scientifiques n''intègrent qu''à leurs théories ; mais parfois la science donne naissance à des notions plus étranges que n''importe quelle science-fiction ".