Best Selling Books by Richard Gott

A Princeton astrophysicist explores whether journeying to the past or future is scientifically possible in this “intriguing” volume (Neil deGrasse Tyson). It was H. G. Wells who coined the term “time machine”—but the concept of time travel, both forward and backward, has always provoked fascination and yearning. It has mostly been dismissed as an impossibility in the world of physics; yet theories posited by Einstein, and advanced by scientists including Stephen Hawking and Kip Thorne, suggest that the phenomenon could actually occur. Building on these ideas, J. Richard Gott, a professor who has written on the subject for Scientific American, Time, and other publications, describes how travel to the future is not only possible but has already happened—and contemplates whether travel to the past is also conceivable. This look at the surprising facts behind the science fiction of time travel “deserves the attention of anyone wanting wider intellectual horizons” (Booklist). “Impressively clear language. Practical tips for chrononauts on their options for travel and the contingencies to prepare for make everything sound bizarrely plausible. Gott clearly enjoys his subject and his excitement and humor are contagious; this book is a delight to read.” —Publishers Weekly

A thorough examination of the history of the controversial island country looks at little-known aspects of its past, from its pre-Columbian origins to the fate of its native peoples, complete with up-to-date information on Cuba''s place in a post-Soviet world.

A magisterial history of resistance to the rising of the British empire As the call for a new understanding of our national history grows louder, Britain’s Empire turns the received imperial story on its head. Richard Gott recounts the long-overlooked narrative of resisters, revolutionaries and revolters who stood up to the might of the Empire. In a story of almost continuous colonialist violence, Britain’s crimes unspool from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the Indian Mutiny, spanning the globe from Ireland to Australia. Capturing events from the perspective of the colonised, Gott unearths the all-but-forgotten stories excluded from mainstream histories.

"This is a condensed edition of Welcome to the Universe - essentially a pocket-sized version of the original "astrophysical tour" of the cosmos. In 8 chapters (compared to the original 24 chapters), the reader learns the essential astrophysics everyone should know -- about the size and scale of the universe; the solar system; the lives/deaths of stars; the search for life in the galaxy; our Milky Way; galaxies, the Big Bang and the expanding universe; inflation and the multiverse; and our future in the cosmos. For those who may have felt that Welcome to the Universe was a bit beyond them, this book covers all the essentials in an even more accessible and concise fashion, while imparting real physical insight into how the universe works by the book''s end"--

The basic understanding which underlies scientific evidence - ideas such as the structure of experiments, causality, repeatability, validity and reliability- is not straightforward. But these ideas are needed to judge evidence in school science, in physics or chemistry or biology or psychology, in undergraduate science, and in understanding everyday issues to do with science. It is essential to be able to be critical of scientific evidence. The authors clearly set out the principles of investigation so that the reader will be confident in questioning the experts, making an informed choice or arriving at in informed opinion. The book is intended for a wide range of readers including those who want to: } collect their own evidence } be able to question and judge a wide range of science-based issues that we come across in the press or other media in everyday life } teach others how to understand evidence. This book has been developed from the authors′ work with first year undergraduates in a combined science course and in primary teacher training for science specialists. It is suitable for students training as primary science specialists, and also for ′A′ level and first-year undergraduates in science and science-related subjects.

In a first-hand report from Venezuela, veteran correspondent Richard Gott places the county''s controversial president in historical perspective. Examining Chavez''s plans and programmes and the support these attract, Gott argues that this unique experiment may prove a new way forward for Latin America.

Gott describes his journey through the heart of South America, across the swampland that forms the watershed between the Plate and the Amazon rivers. He intermingles his travel account with the results of his extensive research into the history of this land that once formed the contested frontier between Spanish and Portuguese territory and was the setting for a string of Jesuit missions and later for the extermination of the local peoples. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Presenting a rich array of stereoscopic color images, which can be viewed in 3D using a special stereo viewer that folds easily out of the cover of the book, this book reveals your cosmic environment as you have never seen it before. Journey into the vast depths of the observable universe by visualising the most spectacular images in astronomy in stereoscopic 3D. Welcome to the Universe in 3D takes you on a grand tour of the observable universe, guiding you through the most spectacular sights in the cosmos a in breathtaking 3D. Astronomy is the story of how humankind''s perception of the two-dimensional dome of the sky evolved into a far deeper comprehension of an expanding three-dimensional cosmos. This book invites you to take part in this story by exploring the universe in depth, as revealed by cutting-edge astronomical research and observations. You will journey from the Moon through the solar system, out to exoplanets, distant nebulas, and galaxy clusters, until you finally reach the cosmic microwave background radiation (or CMB), the most distant light we can observe. The distances to these celestial wonders range from 1.3 light-seconds to 13.8 billion light-years. Along the way, the authors explain the fascinating features of what you are seeing, including how the 3D images were made using the same technique that early astronomers devised to measure distances to objects in space. The dramatic 3D images in this one-of-a-kind book will astonish you, extending your vision out to the farthest reaches of the universe. You will never look up into the night sky the same way again.

The authoritative first-hand account of contemporary Venezuela, Hugo Chvez places the country''s controversial and charismatic president in historical perspective, and examines his plans and programs. Welcomed in 1999 by the inhabitants of the teeming shanty towns of Caracas as their potential savior, and greeted by Washington with considerable alarm, this former golpista-turned-democrat took up the aims and ambitions of Venezuela''s liberator, Simn Bolvar. Now in office for over a decade, President Chvez has undertaken the most wide-ranging transformation of oil-rich Venezuela for half a century, and dramatically affected the political debate throughout Latin America. In this updated edition, Richard Gott reflects on the achievements of the Bolivarian revolution, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Semi-autobiographical discussion of astronomy and astronomers, and history of astronomy and cosmology.--

Using space photographs and scaled maps, demonstrates the actual size of objects in the cosmos, from Buzz Aldrin''s historic footprint on the Moon to the entire visible universe, with a gatefold of the Gott-Juric Map of the Universe.

Account of political opposition and rural area guerrilla warfare in Latin America, with particular reference to revolutionary social movements and the activities of the communist political party and its associated peasant movements - covers the historical events leading up to the death of che guevara, and includes armed conflicts, political conflicts, etc. Bibliography pp. 579 to 596, maps and references.

Hugo Chavez önderliğinde Venezüella''da süren devrim tüm dünyanın meraklı bakışlarını üzerine çekiyor. ABD''nin "arka bahçesi"nde başlayan, ordu kökenli karizmatik bir devrimcinin önderlik ettiği bu harekete dair pek çok soru zihinleri meşgul ediyor: Hugo Chavez nasıl iktidara geldi, ABD''nin yakın yönlendirmesiyle girişilen sayısız devirme girişimine rağmen nasıl ayakta kaldı? ABD''ye karşı tutumunu her geçen gün sertleştiren ve köklü toplumsal dönüşüm kararları alan iktidarın toplumsal dayanağı nedir ve bu devrimi nasıl bir gelecek bekliyor? Ünlü İngiliz gazeteci Richard Gott, Venezüella''da yaptığı somut gözlemlerle, Chavez''le gerçekleştirdiği görüşmelerle ve titiz bir araştırmayla bu soruların cevaplarını arıyor. Belgesel anlatı türündeki kitap, devrime aktif olarak katılan emekçi sınıfların tükenmez enerjisini, heyecanını ve coşkusunu da akıcı bir dille yansıtıyor.

El presente libro del veterano corresponsal Richard Gott, único relato de primera mano de la Venezuela contemporánea, sitúa al controvertido y carismático presidente Hugo Chávez en una perspectiva histórica, al tiempo que examina sus planes y programas. En sus páginas se da cabida a los acontecimientos más recientes, como la intentona fallida de golpe de Estado o la última convocatoria de elecciones, y se discute la encubierta intervención de Estados Unidos contra este funcionario público elegido democráticamente. El espectro de Simón Bolívar se cierne una vez más sobre América Latina, al ser retomados por Chávez los objetivos y ambiciones del Libertador. Bien recibido por los habitantes de los barrios pobres de Caracas y acogido con considerable alarma por Washington, este antiguo golpista convertido en demócrata no sólo ha iniciado la transformación más amplia del último medio siglo de este rico país productor de petróleo, sino que ha influido drásticamente en el debate político en toda América Latina.

En el universo newtoniano, el viaje en el tiempo era una fantasía inconcebible. Sin embargo, en determinadas condiciones, en el universo de Einstein esta paradoja puede hacerse realidad. Richard Gott, astrofísico de la Universidad de Princeton y uno de los más destacados investigadores de esta materia, nos acompaña en un fascinante periplo hasta los límites más sorprendentes de la imaginación y la ciencia: ¿qué haríamos si dispusiéramos de una máquina del tiempo?, ¿nos lanzaríamos a un recorrido turístico por los siglos futuros?, ¿podríamos regresar al pasado y alterar el curso de la historia? Richard Gott comienza describiendo cómo algunas obras clásicas de ciencia-ficción —desde La máquina del tiempo de H.G. Wells hasta la serie televisiva Star Trek — anticiparon, con gran agudeza, algunas propuestas de la física contemporánea. Explica a continuación que los viajes al futuro no sólo son posibles (tal como Einstein demostró), sino que ya han sucedido realmente, pues los astronautas que hasta ahora han salido al espacio de hecho han envejecido ligeramente menos que el resto de los humanos. El autor examina después si, dadas determinadas circunstancias, es posible viajar al pasado. Pero quizá lo más sorprendente de este libro, tan apasionante como riguroso, radica en el hecho de que el estudio de los viajes en el tiempo puede aportar datos para una nueva teoría sobre el origen del universo.

«La ragnatela cosmica non è solamente una storia ben raccontata sulle frontiere della conoscenza del cosmo. È anche uno stimolo per continuare a esplorarle». Michael Blanton, Nature «Con lo sguardo tipico di chi le cose le conosce dall’interno, Gott ci racconta come gli scienziati siano riusciti a rivelare la struttura macroscopica dell’Universo. Mescolando scienza, succosi aneddoti e storie personali, Gott ci offre una descrizione completa, vivace e affascinante della ragnatela cosmica che costituisce il nostro mondo». Publishers Weekly La Via Lattea ha circa 300 miliardi di stelle. Di fronte a numeri di questa impensabile enormità la mente vacilla, ma non è che l’inizio della storia di questo libro. J. Richard Gott è stato uno dei primi cosmologi a proporre un modello nel quale la struttura del nostro universo somiglia a una spugna, fatta da ammassi di galassie connessi tra loro attraverso filamenti di galassie, a formare una gigantesca «ragnatela cosmica» che si sviluppa attorno a immensi spazi vuoti. Negli anni questa ragnatela è stata effettivamente mappata e questo libro è il racconto di prima mano, da parte di un protagonista assoluto della vicenda, di come una generazione di teorici e di astronomi sia riuscita a svelare la struttura macroscopica del cosmo. La storia prende piede con un mondo diviso in due dalla guerra fredda, nel quale la scuola americana si era concentrata su un modello basato su una struttura ad ammassi isolati, mentre quella sovietica descriveva una struttura fatta a nido d’ape, con le galassie disposte geometricamente attorno a grandi spazi privi di materia. Il lavoro di Gott si inserì in questa contesa, grazie a un’idea che l’autore aveva già iniziato a elaborare durante il liceo. In seguito, Gott misurò assieme a Mario Juric´ la Grande Muraglia Sloan, la più grande struttura di galassie mai mappata fino ad allora, coi suoi 1,37 miliardi di anni-luce di lunghezza (entrarono nel Guinness dei primati per questo). Mappando l’estremo confine dell’universo conosciuto, La ragnatela cosmica ci racconta i dettagli di questa affascinante ricerca e segna la via per una comprensione più accurata del cosmo che, grazie alla struttura di questa gigantesca ragnatela, ci appare sempre più chiara.

L''univers à grande échelle ressemble-t-il à un ragoût de boulettes de viande, à un célèbre fromage suisse ou à une éponge ? Cet ouvrage, écrit par un acteur clé du domaine, explore l''architecture de l''univers à grande échelle. De la découverte de l''expansion cosmique par Hubble aux images du fond diffus cosmologique réalisées par le satellite Planck, John Richard Gott décrit un univers où vide et matière s’entremêlent, gigantesque éponge cosmique dont l''évolution est orchestrée par la mystérieuse énergie sombre. Ce livre rend aussi hommage aux efforts titanesques de toute une génération de physiciens théoriciens et d’observateurs qui ont transformé en profondeur notre compréhension du cosmos.

Das Universum für die Hosentasche bietet eine atemberaubende Tour durch den Kosmos – von Planeten, Sternen und Galaxien bis hin zu schwarzen Löchern und Zeitschleifen. Die Bestsellerautoren und renommierten Astrophysiker Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss und J. Richard Gott laden zu einer unvergesslichen Entdeckungsreise ein, die zeigt, wie unser Universum tatsächlich funktioniert. Dieses Buch führt von unserem heimischen Sonnensystem bis zu den äußersten Grenzen des Weltraums und erweitert den kosmischen Einblick und die eigene Perspektive durch eine wunderbar unterhaltsame Erzählung. Wie leben und sterben Sterne? Wie sind die Aussichten auf intelligentes Leben anderswo im Universum? Wie hat das Universum begonnen? Warum dehnt es sich aus und beschleunigt sich? Ist unser Universum allein oder Teil eines unendlichen Multiversums? Mit diesen und vielen anderen Fragen beschäftigt sich dieses handliche Buch, das mit der kürzesten Reise durch die Astrophysik einen Einblick in die Wunder unseres Kosmos gibt.

Un pasaporte para acceder a las maravillas de nuestro cosmos cambiante. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss y J. Richard Gott, reconocidos astrofísicos, proponen un recorrido de exploración por el universo para conocer su verdadero funcionamiento. ¿Cómo se forman y extinguen las estrellas? ¿Cuál es la probabilidad de que haya vida inteligente en otros lugares? ¿Cómo empezó el universo? ¿Por qué está en expansión acelerada? La respuesta a estos interrogantes y muchos más convierte a esta obra en un pasaporte para acceder a las maravillas de nuestro cosmos cambiante.

Ce petit guide propose une visite époustouflante du cosmos, des planètes, étoiles et galaxies aux trous noirs et boucles temporelles. Les auteurs et astrophysiciens Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss et J. Richard Gott vous emmènent dans un voyage d’exploration inoubliable pour vous révéler comment fonctionne réellement notre Univers. En vous propulsant de notre système solaire natal aux frontières les plus reculées de l’espace, ce livre vous permet d’acquérir une vision et une perspective cosmiques grâce à un récit palpitant. Comment les étoiles vivent-elles et meurent-elles ? Quelles sont les perspectives de vie intelligente ailleurs dans l’Univers ? Comment l’Univers a-t-il commencé ? Pourquoi est-il en expansion et en accélération ? Notre Univers est-il seul ou fait-il partie d’un multivers infini ? En explorant ces questions et bien d’autres, ce guide de poche est votre passeport pour les merveilles de notre cosmos en évolution.

Un giro mozzafiato del cosmo, dai pianeti alle stelle, dalle galassie ai buchi neri e ai loop temporali; una visione e una prospettiva cosmiche offerte attraverso una narrazione avvincente. Come vivono e muoiono le stelle? Ci sono altre possibilità di vita intelligente da qualche parte nell''universo? Come ha avuto inizio l’universo? Perché si sta espandendo e sta accelerando? E il nostro universo è unico oppure parte di un multiverso infinito? Gli autori di best-seller e famosi astrofisici Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss e J. Richard Gott guidano il lettore in un indimenticabile viaggio di esplorazione che rivela come realmente funziona il nostro universo.

The book considers the place of investigative work in the science curriculum and presents the latest research in this field. The authors consider the theoretical framework which underlies this kind of practical work - what are pupils actually learning and what are we trying to teach them? They argue that the thinking behind the doing of science is at present undervalued and that this is something that needs to be taught. They present innovative ways of focusing teaching on particular aspects of investigations and consider the issue of assessment. The interplay between theory, research and practice will appeal to readers who are involved in secondary science education and who are eager to know more about the present state of knowledge in investigative work in science.