Download PDF EarthShattering Violent Supernovas Galactic Explosions Biological Mayhem Nuclear Meltdowns and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe Audible Audio Edition Bob Berman Peter Ganim Hachette Audio Books
Download As PDF : EarthShattering Violent Supernovas Galactic Explosions Biological Mayhem Nuclear Meltdowns and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe Audible Audio Edition Bob Berman Peter Ganim Hachette Audio Books
A heart-pumping exploration of the biggest explosions in history, from the Big Bang to mysterious activity on Earth and everything in between
The overwhelming majority of celestial space is inactive and will remain forever unruffled. Similarly, more than 90 percent of the universe's 70 billion trillion suns had non-attention-getting births and are burning through their nuclear fuel in steady, predictable fashion. But when cosmic violence does unfold, it changes the very fabric of the universe, with mega-explosions and ripple effects that reach the near limits of human comprehension. From colliding galaxies to solar storms, and gamma ray bursts to space-and-time-warping upheavals, these moments are rare yet powerful, often unseen but consequentially felt.Â
Likewise, here on Earth, existence as we know it is fragile, always vulnerable to hazards both natural and manufactured. As we've learned from textbooks and witnessed in Hollywood blockbusters, existential threats such as biological disasters, asteroid impacts, and climate upheavals have the all-too-real power to instantaneously transform our routine-centered lives into total chaos, or much worse. While we might be helpless to stop these catastrophes - whether they originate on our own planet or in the farthest reaches of space - the science behind such cataclysmic forces is as fascinating as their results can be devastating.Â
In Earth-Shattering, astronomy writer Bob Berman guides us through an epic, all-inclusive investigation into these instances of violence both mammoth and microscopic. From the sudden creation of dazzling "new stars" to the furiously explosive birth of our moon, from the uncomfortable truth about ultra-high-energy cosmic rays bombarding us to the incredible ways in which humanity has harnessed cataclysmic energy for its gain, Berman masterfully synthesizes some of our worst fears into an astonishing portrait of the universe that promises to transform the way we look at the world(s) around us.Â
In the spirit of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carlo Rovelli, what emerges is a rollicking, profound, and even humbling exploration of all the things that can go bump in the night.Â
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Download PDF EarthShattering Violent Supernovas Galactic Explosions Biological Mayhem Nuclear Meltdowns and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe Audible Audio Edition Bob Berman Peter Ganim Hachette Audio Books
"I love Bob Berman's column in Astronomy magazine. This book was disappointing in its simplicity, obviously written for the layperson without any knowledge of astronomy or physics. That's not necessarily a negative thing but I was expecting something a bit more detailed."
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EarthShattering Violent Supernovas Galactic Explosions Biological Mayhem Nuclear Meltdowns and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe Audible Audio Edition Bob Berman Peter Ganim Hachette Audio Books Reviews :
EarthShattering Violent Supernovas Galactic Explosions Biological Mayhem Nuclear Meltdowns and Other Hazards to Life in Our Universe Audible Audio Edition Bob Berman Peter Ganim Hachette Audio Books Reviews
- Bob Berman's <Earth-Shattering> gets five stars from this reviewer for being an interesting and easily-read story about cataclysmic, natural events that took place in our universe after the original 'Big Bang' of 13 or 14 billion years ago. The author has concentrated mainly on events that resulted in massive extinctions on Earth. But he has also brought in other significant occurrences that took place within the memories of many of us who are still around. Towards the book's end he takes readers through potentially disastrous fates that mankind could face in future. Yet there is always the suggestion that life in one form or another has always survived, even proliferated after terrible happenings.
The book is a simple history of our violent universe leading up to the formation of Earth and damaging events affecting it prior to the appearance of life here. At this point I'll add that <Earth-Shattering> is aimed at the general reader of non-fiction. It is written with a touch of humor, meaning that it isn't a dry-as-dust scientific tome. I'll also mention that readers should notice the fact that were it not for some of these massive disasters having taken place, we humans would not be here. Mr. Berman calls attention to the high probability of the final, yet-to-occur catastrophe that will consume Earth and everything on it some billions of years in future. I refer to final solar expansion.
Personally I appreciated the author's giving me a good synopsis of the types of nuclear electricity generators, how they function, and what happened to cause the accidents at (1), Three-Mile-Island, (2), Chernobyl and (3), Fukushima. The author thinks that it was a mistake for society to become overly fearful of nuclear energy plants after the accidents at the above three locations. As a result society has turned thumbs down on fine, non-polluting nuclear energy.
I recommend <Earth-Shattering> because it contains much easy and interesting information - far more than I can cover here and still produce a bearable review. - This is a splendidly comprehensive view of cataclysms both cosmic and terrestrial. Despite coming in with a fairly serious science background, I learnt a great deal and was fascinated in doing so.
However - and this is a personal preference - I have never liked Bob Berman's populist style. It comes across as frivolous.
Just one example, picked at random. "Here, ten billion years after the final episode of Friends and fully eight billion years after even the last reruns of it, our sun is now the central star of a planetary nebula." One can imagine being amused by a speaker throwing in such a light-hearted comment in a serious speech just to provide a contrast to the audience.
Alas, this approach actually typifies the entire book and only the occasional serious comments provide any contrast. Given his success as author, media personality, astronomy tour leader etc. (and he is not shy of informing the reader about this during the book), it appears there is a big audience for this style. It just doesn't include me.
I am full of admiration for his knowledge and I am significantly wiser as a result of reading this book. I'd just be feeling a lot happier if he had toned down the frivolity. - I love Bob Berman's column in Astronomy magazine. This book was disappointing in its simplicity, obviously written for the layperson without any knowledge of astronomy or physics. That's not necessarily a negative thing but I was expecting something a bit more detailed.
- Incredible chapters full of interesting facts.
This author is a WINNER!
Book was reviewed well by the Wall Street Journal, so I bought it; NOT DISAPPOINTED! - Outstanding! An exciting read for the non-scientists. I highly recommend this book. The author brilliantly educates and entertains (a rare combination). He does an excellent job of introducing some of nature’s mind-bending complexity and, indirectly, motivating one to embrace, and appreciate, each and every day.
- I really enjoy Bob Berman’s books , easy to understand scientific facts for the non scientific layperson
- This book is about destruction. So it takes a real talent like Bob Berman to write an entertaining and informative science book on the subject. No matter how technical the subject Berman explains the science well, in a conversational tone and with a sense of humor. When he speaks to galactic cataclysms, I can sense his joy in the subject matter. However, when he turns to human-made cataclysms, his sorrow is equally there, but this is not a large part of the book. This is the the third I’ve read by Bob Berman and it is the best, after having previously read “Zapped†and “The Sun’s Heartbeatâ€. I recommend “Earth Shattering†for anyone interested in science.
Disclosure I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
