A Brief History of the Universe (and Our Place in It)

From award-winning particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, a fascinating and accessible exploration of our continuous journey to unlocking the secrets of the universe and understanding where we fit into it. Renowned particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, whose research into dark matter has brought her to the cutting edge of scientific advancement, explores our endeavors to understand the cosmos. From the ancient Greeks, who blended observation with philosophy, and the Islamic Empire, which made critical advancements in astronomy, to today’s research into quantum physics and extraterrestrial life, each generation has built on the cumulative knowledge of the civilizations before it. Dr. Malik highlights the people who made breakthroughs possible, some well-known, like Albert Einstein, and others less so, like Vera Rubin, who pushed the boundaries of society and science. Yet every age shares a surprising similarity: Each time we thought we grasped a complete understanding, we stumbled upon something that upended it. Copernicus, for example, launched a revolution when he argued Earth was not at the universe’s center, and Ernest Rutherford disproved the long-held belief that the atom was indivisible. Dr. Malik reveals that behind the saga of our scientific successes is an intensely curious and deeply philosophical species striving to comprehend its place in the vast cosmos, and she captures how our efforts have shaped, and continue to shape, not only our knowledge, but our identity. Accessible and engaging, A Brief History of the Universe embarks on a journey through the discoveries that have influenced, and at times upended, how we see ourselves in the grand universe, and captures the wonder of the world we live in.