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Human Universe

By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
Narrated by: Samuel West
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Summary

Top ten Sunday Times Bestseller

‘Engaging, ambitious and creative’ Guardian

Where are we? Are we alone? Who are we? Why are we here? What is our future?

Human Universe tackles some of the greatest questions that humans have asked to try and understand the very nature of ourselves and the Universe in which we live.

Through the endless leaps of human minds, it explores the extraordinary depth of our knowledge today and where our curiosity may lead us in the future. With groundbreaking insight it reveals how time, physics and chemistry came together to create a creature that can wonder at its own existence, blessed with an unquenchable thirst to discover not just where it came from, but how it can think, where it is going and if it is alone.

Accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series.

©2016 Professor Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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Critic reviews

‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian

‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent

‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times

‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express

‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday

What listeners say about Human Universe

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Such a Great Book!

I really enjoyed this book. I am no physicist but the way this is written makes it easy to understand all the concepts covered. It is full of facts and figures but somehow is given just enough whimsy and the odd song lyric to keep it entertaining. It shows an insight into science through the ages and Brian tells us his own opinions and take on the universe and our place in it. The narrator has a real talent too. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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14 people found this helpful

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excellent!

Insightful and fascinating carrying a beautiful message without a sense of preaching. definitely recommen for everyone.

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5 people found this helpful

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Excellent

An excellent and inspiring book. It has broadened my understanding of the challenges we face as a race to ensure our survival.
I only recommend this book if you have a reasonably good understanding of physics/science in general.

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1 person found this helpful

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Amazing book

Incredibly detailed and unbiased history of humans as living creatures. It explores the possibility of life being found outside earth while reminding you how privileged we are to exist in the first place.

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An extraordinary tale

An absolutely exquisite book allowing for a lot of thought and speculation about our place in the universe. Truly inspirational and thought provoking!

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Wonderful

Brilliant. No matter whether it is in addition to, or independent from having watched the excellent TV series.

A captivating-yet-rational, visionary-yet-grounded journey from our origins to imagining our destiny as a species.

I'm surprised it did not win more awards, or get more coverage when it was released.

Highly recommended!

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A solid Science book

I originally expected Brian Cox to narrate this book, however Samuel West does a top job.
I struggled with some of the science bits, not coming from a science background, so there where time all I was hearing was blah blah, quantum blah blah quark blah blah, my fault I know, but beware where you are listening to this , sometimes you really need to concentrate.

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Phenomenal

A definitive guide to everything for the beginner! Highly recommend for anyone's book collection. Everyone should hear this

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Please read this!

This is a fascinating, emotional rollercoaster ride that I was not expecting from a science based book. If you are human- read it! It has way more levels than most recent similar books and adds humour just when you need it.
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great listening v

ery interesting subject matter, Brian Cox has look been a favourite of mine. Will be recommending this book to many people.

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