The number of the heavens: a history of the multiverse and the quest to understand the cosmos

Today's big mysteries of science lie at two extremes: what makes up the unfathomable expanse of our cosmos? And how does our brain function? Accomplished science writer Siegfried here addresses the first question in historical context, navigating from the ideas of ancient Greek philosophers to those of modern-day cosmologists as they pertain to the concept of a multiverse. The book, which has an excellent index and references, traces the history of this idea from antiquity to the present, and is peppered with thumbnail sketches of the philosophers and scientists who contributed to advancing our knowledge of the cosmos. Chapters 1--8 discuss the contributions of individuals from the English philosopher Grosseteste to notables like Copernicus (13th--16th century). The earliest suggestion for multiple universes seems to have come from an English surveyor/amateur astronomer, Thomas Wright (18th century). Edgar Allan Poe, who was well versed in mathematics and astronomy, expanded on this, presciently writing of a multitude of star clusters in Eureka (1848, CH, Mar'05, 42-3911). The last five chapters bring the story to modern times, attempting to address along the way the inherent problem with quantum physics (uncertainty). As shown by Siegfried, the very definition of the universe has changed through the ages. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Nanjundiah Sadanand, Central Connecticut State University

While many might think of the idea of the multiverse as something new, science writer Siegfried (A Beautiful Math) describes how this seemingly fanciful concept--that this universe is one of many--has been accepted by thinkers and philosophers for millennia. Siegfried opens his detailed history with the ancient Greeks, when "atomist" philosophers imagined "innumerable worlds" created by the motion of spinning atomic whirlpools. The multiverse lost ground when Plato insisted on a perfect singular cosmos, fueling his student Aristotle's claims that there could only be one universe. These dominated the scientific consensus until 1277, when the Bishop of Paris, Étienne Tempier, announced that God was fully capable of creating more universes, and that anyone saying otherwise would face excommunication. Siegfried profiles fascinating figures over the centuries, such as medieval polymath Roger Bacon, natural philosopher William of Ockham, and astronomer Nicholaus Copernicus. The author also explains groundbreaking ideas such as Albert Einstein's infamously difficult cosmological constant, quantum mechanics, and the big bang. This clear and thoughtful work of popular science serves as a fascinating history of one of the most provocative concepts in modern physics, while also tracing its roots in ancient ideas and exploring its implications for this universe and others. (Sept.)

The 2015 discovery of gravitational waves launched an increase in popular treatments of physics and astronomy topics. What sets this book by Siegfried (Strange Matters) apart from others is the quality of his writing, as well as the direct links he draws between contemporary and ancient views of the multiverse concept. As he notes, the debate on whether there are one or many universes continues among contemporary thinkers. The former editor of Science News, Siegfried attended cutting-edge physics conferences, and draws upon conversations with researchers at the meetings to bring immediacy to the modern-day portions of the book. His reading in medieval philosophy that prompted him to write the book provides an equally solid base. VERDICT This well-written book explores the concept of more than one universe than ours, drawing on the musings of philosophers, astronomers, and physicists from the ancient Greeks, through medieval thinkers such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Max Planck to Albert Einstein and current cosmologists Rocky Kolb and Joe Lykken. It will intrigue YA readers on up.--Sara R. Tompson, Lawrence, KS

The 2015 discovery of gravitational waves launched an increase in popular treatments of physics and astronomy topics. What sets this book by Siegfried (Strange Matters) apart from others is the quality of his writing, as well as the direct links he draws between contemporary and ancient views of the multiverse concept. As he notes, the debate on whether there are one or many universes continues among contemporary thinkers. The former editor of Science News, Siegfried attended cutting-edge physics conferences, and draws upon conversations with researchers at the meetings to bring immediacy to the modern-day portions of the book. His reading in medieval philosophy that prompted him to write the book provides an equally solid base. VERDICT This well-written book explores the concept of more than one universe than ours, drawing on the musings of philosophers, astronomers, and physicists from the ancient Greeks, through medieval thinkers such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Max Planck to Albert Einstein and current cosmologists Rocky Kolb and Joe Lykken. It will intrigue YA readers on up.—Sara R. Tompson, Lawrence, KS

While many might think of the idea of the multiverse as something new, science writer Siegfried (A Beautiful Math) describes how this seemingly fanciful concept—that this universe is one of many—has been accepted by thinkers and philosophers for millennia. Siegfried opens his detailed history with the ancient Greeks, when "atomist" philosophers imagined "innumerable worlds" created by the motion of spinning atomic whirlpools. The multiverse lost ground when Plato insisted on a perfect singular cosmos, fueling his student Aristotle's claims that there could only be one universe. These dominated the scientific consensus until 1277, when the Bishop of Paris, Étienne Tempier, announced that God was fully capable of creating more universes, and that anyone saying otherwise would face excommunication. Siegfried profiles fascinating figures over the centuries, such as medieval polymath Roger Bacon, natural philosopher William of Ockham, and astronomer Nicholaus Copernicus. The author also explains groundbreaking ideas such as Albert Einstein's infamously difficult cosmological constant, quantum mechanics, and the big bang. This clear and thoughtful work of popular science serves as a fascinating history of one of the most provocative concepts in modern physics, while also tracing its roots in ancient ideas and exploring its implications for this universe and others. (Sept.)