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The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos
by Dr. Kelsey Johnson
A leading astronomer and gifted teacher takes readers on a wondrous tour of how science confronts the big questions—about the universe's origins, destiny, and fundamental nature—and how it contends with the limits of our knowledge.
Humans have learned a lot about the world around us and the universe beyond. We have made powerful insights and created profound theories about the universe and everything in it. Surely the ultimate theory must be waiting, just beyond our current knowledge.
Well, maybe. In Into the Unknown, astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson takes us to the edge of scientific understanding about the universe: What caused the Big Bang? What happens inside black holes? Are there other dimensions? She doesn't just celebrate what we know but rather what we don't, and asks what it means if we never find that knowledge. Exploring the convergence of science, philosophy, and theology, Johnson argues we must reckon with possibilities—including those that may be beyond human comprehension. The very places where we run smack into total ignorance are the places where the most important questions—about the philosophy of knowledge, the nature of our cosmos, and even the existence of God—await.
As accessible as it is profound, Into the Unknown invites each of us to join in the great quest for knowledge.
"A mind-bending inquiry… Heady ideas jump off nearly every page, and Johnson has a talent for describing them in breezy, conversational prose. This is perfect for anyone who enjoyed Astrophysics for People in a Hurry." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Popular science written warmly and accessibly, if not without thought-provoking complexity." —Kirkus Reviews
"This book is tremendous. Johnson asks all the big questions. Are we alone in the universe? What is the meaning of time? Are there hidden dimensions? Johnson is always accurate and never dumbs down, yet her writing is so smooth, so light, that it's never hard to follow. If you want to tickle your imagination with all the stuff we still don't know, read this book!" ―Antonio Padilla, author of Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them
"This groundbreaking book takes the reader on an adventure that explores the questions many scientists are afraid to ask. It will stand as a roadmap for the future of our field." ―Stephon Solomon Alexander, author of The Jazz of Physics
This information about Into the Unknown was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Kelsey Johnson is a professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, former president of the American Astronomical Society, and founder of the award-winning Dark Skies, Bright Kids program. She has won numerous awards for her research, teaching, and promotion of science literacy. She lives in rural Virginia with her family, including two very large dogs.
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