Atom: A Single Oxygen Atom's Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth... and Beyond

by Lawrence M. Krauss

Book Overview

The story of matter and the history of the cosmos from the perspective of a single oxygen atom, told with the insight and wit of one of the most dynamic physicists and writers working today.

Through this astonishing work, he manages to stoke wonder at the powers and unlikely events that conspired to create our solar system, our ecosystem, and us.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316183091
• ISBN13: 9780316183093
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Lawrence Krauss is a brilliant man

Lawrence Krauss is a brilliant man and explains the universe to you in a easy way

Unifies cosmology, geology, biology in one continuous tale

The concept is cute - trace "the life of an oxygen atom" from the big bang to life on earth. From reading this book you get an amazing series of new "aha's" and interests in further science topics to read. Lawrence Kraus is one of those real-life physicists who likes to communicate the latest details of their science to the rest of us. As a physics major who moved on to a career in business but never lost their fascination for science, I love that! The beauty of "Atom" is it unifies cosmology, geology, and biology in one tale. Krauss includes the latest on how the first seeds of life are thought to have evolved (e.g., on meteorites that crashed into earth). He reminds us that we are all made of stardust (i.e., carbon and heavier elements that were forged in ancient stars which then went nova, spreading their material universe wide for new stars, planets, and beings). I never realized how many times a solar system could start to coalesce only to be blown about again. Ditto the conditions on what is to eventually be Earth. Kruass' discussion of what was going on with Earth while the poor meteorite was trying to land triggered me to follow up next with a great book on geology. One caveat: he's a tad wordy but it's worth it because he includes the details that other popularizations leave out. Now it's in paperback woot!

a cosmic wonder

I found this book made me think about the universe in ways I never had before. I will never think of a glass of water the same way again. Recognizing that each atom in my body has had a biography that is not so different from the atom described in this book is remarkable.

A tour de force

I will never think of a glass of water in the same way again. This book caused me to truly rethink my place in the cosmos.

The arrow of Time

A great read. From Antarctic research, to greenhouse gas and galaxy collision. An easy to follow thread.

A Monumental New Work

This is a monumental new book which should become a science classic. It is ambitious and broad ranging, yet lyrical and accessible at the same time. It a remarkable piece of science writing by a well known scientist. The scale and breadth of the topics covered compares favorably to Sagan's Cosmos, while the cultural references that help add a human touch are reminiscent of Bronowski's books. This is a story that captures our place in the cosmos by focussing on the life history of a single oxygen atom. In so doing, it personalizes a truly cosmic tale that goes well beyond physics, covering much of modern science. It is certainly Krauss' best book to date, even better than The Physics of Star Trek. The reviewer who indicated it is not new is also off base. Comparing it to books written a dozen years ago is silly. Much of the science discussed here was not even speculated about a dozen years ago!