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Cosmology: The Science of the Universe Hardcover – 16 March 2000

by Edward Harrison (Author)

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Edition: 2^nd

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Cosmology: The Science of the Universe is an introduction to past and present cosmological theory. For much of the world's history, cosmological thought was formulated in religious or philosophical language and was thus theological or metaphysical in nature. However, cosmological speculation and theory has now become a science in which the empirical discoveries of the astronomer, theoretical physicist, and biologist are woven into intricate models that attempt to account for the universe as a whole. Professor Harrison draws on the discoveries and speculations of these scientists to provide a comprehensive survey of man's current understanding of the universe and its history. Tracing the rise of the scientific method, the major aim of this book is to provide an elementary understanding of the physical universe of modern times. Thoroughly revised and updated, this second edition extends the much acclaimed first edition taking into account the many developments that have occurred.

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ISBN-10

052166148X
ISBN-13

978-0521661485
Edition

2
Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Publication date

16 March 2000
Language

English
Dimensions

18.42 x 3.81 x 25.4 cm
Print length

578 pages
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Review

'I do not hesitate to say that this is simply the best book on cosmology at a semi-popular level I have ever read - and I read most of them … It gives the reader the history, the meanders, the highlights, the beauty and the greatness of the whole enterprise. More, it gives the reader effective tools to reach his own conclusions … an outstanding work of scientific exposition that I strongly recommend.' General Relativity and Gravitation

'This long-awaited update to Harrison's classic textbook is ideal for those who have exhausted the beginners' accounts and want to dig deep into the science and philosophy. Harrison offers fresh ways to think about basic principles, and he strolls down long-forgotten byways that give such richness to the subject.' Scientific American

From reviews of the first edition: 'This book is a remarkable synthesis of scientific thought about the Universe in the large. It is the product of the large thinking, large scholarship, and large generosity of mind of Professor Harrison ... Harrison's easy mastery of style that so well matches his subject makes this an exhilarating exercise … The highest tribute I can offer to Harrison's splendid book is that I have not ceased to reflect upon it since I finished reading it.' William McCrea (ex-president of the Royal Astronomical Society), Contemporary Physics

'Unusual, discursive, non-mathematical, full of reflective comments and disturbing questions, packed with unexpected citations … A beginning serious interest in cosmology can find no better satisfaction than in this helpful overview.' Phil Morrison, Scientific American

'This is the second edition of Harrison's first class book on elementary cosmology for all to understand … The book is provocative and readable.' Irish Astronomical Journal

Book Description

Thoroughly revised and updated introduction to past and present cosmological theory.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (16 March 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 578 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 052166148X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521661485
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.42 x 3.81 x 25.4 cm

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Edward Robert Harrison

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Pavel

Cosmology by Edward Harrison

Reviewed in the United States on 22 May 2023

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I have never seen a more interesting book.Thank you very much

Mr. C. G. M. Mason

Cosmology - Going back to look forward in the vastness of space-time.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2014

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Look back time proved that delivery was efficient. Nicely packaged and will/have read it by the time i have finished - Nicely laid out and with a little readjustment of brain matter easy to read and i now understand. Thanks to Author for his words and to Seller for a job well done!

Amazon Customer

The book is in good condition I have read this before and found valuability ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2016

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The book is in good condition I have read this before and found valuability in this particular book, however I bought it again for a second reading after parting with it which I will enjoy this second reading.

sunsetwavelengths

Great Book on Cosmology

Reviewed in the United States on 22 January 2013

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What a wonderful book. I'm amazed how much information this book contains, and at how eloquently the author paints visions for us with his words. It's worth taking a few pages at a time to truly absorb and reflect before pressing on. By the end, you will hopefully feel like I did--that Mr. Harrison has woven together the essence of all we know with the unknown of consciousness and the possibility of an unknown power. Mr. Harrison is never arrogant, and for someone with his incredible expanse of knowledge, that's saying something.

Mr. Harrison has become my favorite author. I wish I would have started reading him before he passed away. If you haven't read 'Masks of the Universe', I highly recommend it also. This book illuminates the realization that if form holds, the ideas we now hold will be greatly modified or expunged by future generations. When we consider the particle/wave duality dependency on observation or the enigma of entanglement, can we truly be confident in our knowledge of the cosmos?

4 people found this helpful

T. W.

Surprising Facts

Reviewed in the United States on 15 November 2010

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Well, I'm just a layperson (i.e. not an expert or particularly learned in the arena of Cosmology), but I can say this book gives you details beyond the typical textbooks. There's a lot of surprising facts and history in here you just don't get in the typical texts or introductory cosmology course. Unfortunately, there isn't enough math, but there is a lot of interesting history in here. For example, it shares that Simon Stevinus actually performed an experiment similar to the likely allegorical story of Galileo dropping different masses and watching them fall at the same rate (I'd never even heard the name Stevinus before this book). There are many other examples of obscure scientists getting their dues in the book (names you probably never heard unless your a professor or something - even if you studied (minored in my case) physics as an undergrad you probably haven't heard these names - I sure hadn't). I was a bit concerned about the treatment of centrifugal acceleration (and yes, I know the difference between centripetal and centrifugal), however. This is a very confusing topic for most students, and this book doesn't explain it very well. Anyhow, it does discusses some of the philosophical worldviews that underpin our models of the universe which I found very interesting. Overall, it seems like a great book so far. I like it, so I think you ought to give it a chance. It isn't half bad and contains lots of obsure knowledge you probably won't find easily elsewhere.

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Cosmology: The Science of the Universe Hardcover – 16 March 2000

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