The author was almost attacked by a bird of prey and felt a connection with it. This was somehow very important. The book is full of extraneous cultural references and anecdotes that amuse the author but do not have any bearing on the book's topic, as vague as it is. ( )

I finally finished a book!!!!!! For the most part I enjoyed this little book; the author has a gift for explaining difficult concepts in a clear yet elegant manner. He falters a bit in the realm of opining on the supposed scourge of modern social technology, which is disappointing because in other areas he displays a wonderful gift for embracing grey areas and conflicts. Oh well, on to the next book! ( )

I have been biased towards Alan Lightman ever since the brilliantly incandescent Einstein's Dreams, so I snatched this off of the library shelf as soon as I saw it, despite the size of my stack already and the state of my to-read shelf. Of course, this is no Einstein's Dreams, but a collection of essays about the nature of the universe. Most of the theories and interpretations discussed were not new to me, so I found little about this book to be groundbreaking. But in general I enjoy Lightman's writing style, and enjoy thinking about these sorts of things, so it was a pleasant enough read.

I most enjoyed the essay "The Symmetrical Universe," which closes thusly: "Viewed in this way, it is nonsensical to ask why we find nature beautiful. Beauty and symmetry and minimum principles are not qualities we ascribe to the cosmos and then marvel at in their perfection. They are simply what is, just like the particular arrangement of atoms that make up our minds. We are not observers on the outside looking in. We are on the inside too." And also "The Disembodied Universe," which contained a lovely contextualized explanation of Foucault's pendulum, which I know I have read/learned about before, but somehow not grasped how radical and beautiful it was in its day. This last essay is also an interesting meditation on progress and technology and the ever-changing human condition.

Some small complaints, but overall a good read. ( )

Joy's review: Short and understandable essays about physics and the cosmos. Lightman discusses the current scientific understanding of the universe and its human and philosophical impact. Read just one essay at a time so you can ponder! ( )

The author is a physicist who examines the idea of what the universe is "for". His conclusions are represented in a series of essays on such topics as The Gargantuan Universe, The Accidental Universe, etc. He discusses multiple universes, string theory, and the Standard Model, and does it in language that does not leave you behind. Reading some physicists requires real work even for a scientist, but Lightman writes with an informal style, includes no equations, and tries to define most, if not all, of the terms he uses so you can read him at bedtime without feeling more exhausted than you already are. The book would have been a four star work except for the chapter on The Spiritual Universe. Although not a believer himself, the author gives a lot of props to believers for their moral system and their peacefulness, two things that exist within only some religions, and exist outside of religions. Other than that, great reading and highly recommended, although it may be unnerving for anyone who can't accept being accidental. ( )