The science writer (and BBC producer) tackles the study of cosmology and profiles the scientists who developed the Big Bang theory in a work aimed at the lay-person.
Critic Reviews
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Outstanding
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Kirkus Reviews
A clear, lively, and comprehensive view of the way science arrived at the leading theory of how everything began. [15 Dec 2004, p.1192]
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Outstanding
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Publishers Weekly
There's no better account of the big bang theory than this. [6 Dec 2004, p.52]
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Outstanding
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The Independent Scarlett Thomas
Singh is a very gifted storyteller who never misses the chance to make his subject clearer or more entertaining.
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Outstanding
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The New York Times William Grimes
It is hard to imagine a grander, more thrilling story than the one Simon Singh tells in "Big Bang."
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Favorable
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Washington Post Dennis Drabelle
Above all, Singh keeps track of the human stories behind the evolution of an idea.
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Favorable
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Los Angeles Times Lawrence M. Krauss
Although much of the material in "Big Bang" has indeed been covered in earlier books, there are fascinating historical nuggets interspersed throughout, and the account itself is so comprehensive, compelling and clear that it proves a useful addition to the literature. [6 Mar 2005]
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Favorable
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The Economist
Mr Singh explains even the most complicated ideas with subtlety, grace and wit.
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Favorable
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The Guardian Gerry Gilmore
Singh tells his tale well, with chatty anecdotes leavening the astrophysics.
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Favorable
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Library Journal Gloria Maxwell
This readable book provides an accessible overview of this complex scientific theory. [1 Dec 2004, p.158]
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Favorable
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Daily Telegraph Andy Martin
This is an epic tale brilliantly told, packed with courage and tragedy, heroes and martyrs, with one or two jokers in the pack. But Singh could have skipped the first 100-odd pages.
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Favorable
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Daily Telegraph Emma Crichton-Miller
Singh's unerring eye for picturesque anecdote and his capacity for simplifying complex scientific ideas is a winning formula.
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Mixed
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San Francisco Chronicle William S. Kowinski
While this linear, chronological narrative helps illustrate a chain of science, it doesn't always make for a lively flow.
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Mixed
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The New York Times Book Review Owen Gingerich
His book, especially in the first 80 pages, contains a number of historical errors.... The modern part of Singh's story, although flawed, comes off considerably better.
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Unfavorable
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The Independent John Gribbin
This is a disappointing book... [Singh] offers a rather pedestrian history of humankind's expanding vision of the universe.
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