From Library Journal
In these interviews with 27 leading figures in contemporary cosmology, the authors--themselves physicists--reveal a diverse and colorful group. Most interesting are revelations about the scientists' backgrounds: several came from families of modest means and were attracted to science by reading popularizations such as this one. Some interview questions elicit responses that might be too technical for general readers (although the authors provide a concise survey of current cosmology in the book's introduction), and philosophical questions such as, "If you could design the universe any way that you wanted to, how would you do it?", are often tedious. Avid readers of science popularizations, science students, and educators, as well as those attracted by the celebrity status of interviewees Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose, and others will create demand for this book.- Gregg Sapp, Montana State Univ. Lib., BozemanCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
The authors--experienced in cosmology/astrophysics, in the history and social study of science, and as writers about science--have (beginning in 1987) interviewed 27 leadings figures (theorists, observers) in the world of research cosmology. Here they provide a photo of each of the persons interviewed, the brief biographical facts relating to his/her life, and a report (running typically to about twenty pages) of informed and probing discussion of how that scientist came to take up his/her line of research, of major influences, of pressing open questions and predicted future developments. The cosmologists in question emerge as people...interesting people...people of remarkable diversity. A good introductory essay serves effectively to set the stage. Beyond its interest both to students of the field and to the general public, the book is likely to engage influentially the imaginations of young readers. (NW) Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Origins reveals the human being within the scientist, in a unique study of the philosophical, personal, and social factors that enter into the scientific process. With interviews from twenty-seven cosmologists (including Stephen Hawking), Origins explores not just the origin of the universe, but also the origins of scientific thought.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

In these interviews with 27 leading figures in contemporary cosmology, the authors--themselves physicists--reveal a diverse and colorful group. Most interesting are revelations about the scientists' backgrounds: several came from families of modest means and were attracted to science by reading popularizations such as this one. Some interview questions elicit responses that might be too technical for general readers (although the authors provide a concise survey of current cosmology in the book's introduction), and philosophical questions such as, ``If you could design the universe any way that you wanted to, how would you do it?'', are often tedious. Avid readers of science popularizations, science students, and educators, as well as those attracted by the celebrity status of interviewees Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose, and others will create demand for this book.-- Gregg Sapp, Montana State Univ. Lib., Bozeman

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