The Inflationary Universe: The Quest for a New Theory of Cosmic Origins: Amazon.ca: Alan H. Guth: Books

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Just about everyone in the scientific community accepts the theory that our universe began in a "big bang"--but that theory leaves numerous unanswered questions about why the cosmos formed in just the manner we observe today. In The Inflationary Universe, physicist Alan Guth recounts his and others' struggle to expound a theory that could plug the gaps. The outcome is a theory of "inflation" that postulates that the universe underwent an incomprehensibly large expansion in the first fraction of a microsecond of its existence. With the perspective that only a first-person account could provide, The Inflationary Universe sheds light on a leading theory in humankind's continuing quest to understand the universe we live in.

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In late 1979, Guth developed concept of the "inflationary universe," proposing that, very soon after the Big Bang, the tightly packed mass that constituted the universe underwent an exceptionally rapid expansion for a limited amount of time before settling down to a more sedate growth pace. This resolved some major problems in the standard cosmological model. Here Guth relates the history of 20th-century cosmology before, during, and after his biggest contribution. Though he writes well and manages to skip most equations, this work will still be a stern test for general readers; some reading knowledge of related works for lay readers is almost a prerequisite for full understanding of the sophisticated scientific concepts expounded herein. Recommended chiefly for academic and the largest public libraries.?Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Legendary Science, Mar 6 2012

By

Ila France Porcher "author of My Sunset Rende... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Inflationary Universe (Paperback)

This book, by one of the major players in the discovery that the universe is inflating, is the best of its kind that I have found.

It is a true inspriration to read about the efforts of Professor Guth to unravel the intricacies behind the unfolding of the universe immediately after the big bang.

The factual information he gives about the universe and reality itself as we proceed, provides an incomparable tableau of our surroundings and universal history.

To share an epic quest for truth and understanding, you cannot do better than to buy this book!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Origins of the Universe, Oct 6 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Inflationary Universe (Paperback)

I always enjoy reading books about scientific discoveries by authors who were there. Alan H. Guth's book "The Inflationary Universe" not only provides a revealing look at the development of inflationary theories of the universe, it is by far the best explanation on the subject that I've seen for the general scientifically literate public.

Guth starts almost at the beginning of modern science by laying a foundation of understanding in conservation laws and fields. His explanation (supported by further information in an appendix) of the negative energy of gravitational fields is clear and intuitive. So clear are his explanations that one hardly seems surprised when Guth introduces Edward Tryon's early speculation that the universe may have originated from a quantum vacuum fluctuation.

Next, Guth develops the idea of an expanding universe, and the flatness problem. His explanation of why the flatness problem is a problem at all is concise and wonderfully illustrated. Throughout all of this, Guth offers a rare glimpse into the workings of science by showing the chaotic effects of unpredictable chance occurrences that lead to that rare insight with its attendant "ahhhh" at the end of discovery. I particularly enjoyed the photographs he included of many key players in the developments of modern cosmology, with a singular exception. There is no photograph of Guth himself [this is my only complaint about the book].

Leading up to the discussion of inflation proper, Guth offers clear and insightful discussions of the discovery of the microwave background radiation. He offers rare insights into the extraordinarily difficult measurements that led to the first discovery, culminating with the superb measurements and confirmation provided by COBE in 1990. As further preparatory information, Guth offers one of the best general-purpose science explanations I've seen for the particles in the standard model, including some very good descriptions of the Higgs particle, which plays a central role in the theory of inflation. Guth is proof that complicated theories can be reduced to simple ideas without losing the essential logical constructs that make them work.

The second half of the book deals with inflation proper. Here, Guth explains how inflation solves the flatness problem, and deals with such things as monopoles, and the nearly uniform background radiation.

The end of the book deals with the aftermath of discovery, and the problems with inflation yet to be ironed out. The author discusses many esoteric possibilities, including percolation of false-vacuum bubbles, event horizons, and pocket universes.

If the origins of the universe excite your intellectual fancy, I highly recommend "The Inflationary Universe."

Duwayne Anderson

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Jan 10 2003

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Debra E. SoRelle (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Inflationary Universe (Paperback)

Guth has developed a theory that would normally be impossible for one to understand. However, his writing style is both scientific history and autobiography. The book unfolds in such an easy manner that anyone who carefully reads this book can walk away with a comprehension of the most complex theories developed by cosmologists. His book takes the reader step by step from classical science through Einstein to quantum theory. His own theory of an inflationary universe is fascinating. His theory has proved to stand up over time to each problem and question that has arisen. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding how the big bang theory can be so widely accepted. It also summarizes the many interesting lives of scientists who have developed these theories. What a treasure Guth is for America!

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