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Title: Don't Know Much About the Universe: Everything You Need to Know About the Cosmos but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis, Oliver Wyman ISBN: 0-553-45659-8 Publisher: Random House Audio Publishing Group Pub. Date: 04 September, 2001 Format: Audio CD Volumes: 5 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.36 (11 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Davis Earns Gold Star for Space "Don't Know Much" Book
Comment: The extreme numbers measuring temperature, distance, and light years are incomprehensible after awhile (Everett Dirksen's quote about billions adding up to real money is adapted here effectively). Several passages need rereading to understand fully, not from Ken Davis' writing (which remains concise despite some shoehorned pop culture references) as from the subject of an ever-expanding, changing universe being difficult to get your arms around to start with. Moreover, a book describing awe-inspiring star and planet activity could provide better illustrations and photos than some old New Yorker cartoons.
That said, Ken Davis' "Don't Know Much" template has allowed him to write a best-selling series of books introducing and explaining everything from geography to the Bible to the Civil War, plus a separate children's book series and popular Web site. "Don't Know Much About The Universe" continued his successful series. Davis allows you to see and understand the universe's wonder while detailing the human drama it often inspired.
In doing so, Davis knows when to express opinion (giving his on John Glenn's 1997 return to space and the hidden agenda in 1986's Challenger tragedy) and when to stand back while offering many.(His final chapter, "The Old One's Secrets," deftly describes theories surrounding how the universe began while continuing to consider Creator involvement. He also however, drops in references to "Oklahoma!" and Gertrude Stein.)
As with his other books, Davis tells his story as a series of answered questions covering everything from life on distant planets to new understandings of scientific icons (Galileo, Werner von Braun, Albert Einstein). Throughout "Don't Know Much," Davis effectively describes opposition these and other astronomy heroes faced from government (investigated Einstein, forced accused war criminal Arthur Rudolph from the country), Roman Catholicism (which cleared Gallileo 10 years ago for writings nearly 400 years before) and even rivalry within its own ranks (Issac Newton's story here is particularly instructive.) Davis also charts a timeline of astronomy's historic events and provides a lengthy bibliography and list of recommended magazines and Web sites.
Somehow amidst the star-struck name dropping (plentiful but which, to be fair, lightened and even explained more difficult concepts), Davis somehow missed a quote from the rock band the Eagles: "Just remember this, my girl, when you look up in the sky/you can see the stars but still not see the light." For anyone looking at the stars inspired to know more of their origins and activity, "Don't Know Much" provides a illuminating, compact look at an ever expanding subject.
Rating: 4
Summary: Good Introduction to the Universe
Comment: As in the other books in this series, Davis attempts to inform his readers about elements that we "never learned" in school. Whether it's history, geography, or the Bible, Davis always illuminates areas that people THINK they know about, but don't. This work is no exception. In his standard question and answer format, Davis covers 'The Universe' from the beginnings of astronomy, to the 'Big Bang' theory (not what most people think it is), to the question of 'are we alone' in the universe? He also includes scientific milestones, mostly of astronomy, that are enlightening - and at times humorous: Wan Hu attempted the first manned flight in 1500 by tying 47 rockets to a chair; "the device explodes, killing Wan Hu, who acted as pilot." (43) On a more serious note, Davis also outlines Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Bruno, and others who challenged the accepted 'everything revolves around us - literally' mentality, and sometimes paid for these challenges with excommunication, ridicule, and grievous bodily harm.
In terms of helpful information, Davis provides a planet-by-planet description of our solar system. In the light of recent unmanned journeys to Mars, it's interesting to compare the theories of life on the 'red planet' with what current events may bring. The insertion of cartoons depicting the space race, space travel, and other related issues is another good historical context for the book's information, as well as breaking up the sometimes dense scientific material. For a non-expert, this book is a great introduction to 'The Universe', and is second, in my opinion, to Davis' best work in this genre, his original 'Don't Know Much About History'. Well worth reading.
Rating: 4
Summary: For the enthusiast
Comment: Did you sign up for Astronomy 101 in college, and drop it like a hot potato when you found out how much of it was physics and math? Were you just gung-ho to look at the stars and learn about the planets, and do you get a kick out of all those terms they're always mentioning on Star Trek -- the ones that are real? Then this is the book for you. It's not for the serious astronomer, nor for the in-depth student. It's just what the title promises: a book of facts and explanations for the person who gets a kick out of outer space, and always wanted to know more. Sure, there are some chapters that are a little dry, but it's all a matter of taste. Definitely recommended for both teen and adult space enthusiasts.
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Title: Don't Know Much About the Bible: Everything You Need to Know About the Good Book but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis ISBN: 0380728397 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 04 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Don't Know Much About Geography : Everything You Need to Know About the World but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis ISBN: 0380713799 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 07 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Don't Know Much About History : Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis ISBN: 0060083816 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: Don't Know Much About Planet Earth by Kenneth C. Davis, Tom Bloom ISBN: 0064408345 Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 24 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Don't Know Much About Space by Kenneth C. Davis, Sergio Ruzzier ISBN: 0064408353 Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 24 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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