| THE MATCHBOX THAT ATE A FORTY-TON TRUCK What Everyday Things Tell Us about the Universe Marcus Chown New York: Faber and Faber, 2009 |
Rating: 5.0 High |
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| ISBN-13 978-0-19-86547-922-7 | ||||
| ISBN-10: 0-19-86547-322-4 | 269pp. | HC | $25.00 | |
Marcus Chown's latest book presses the well-known characteristics of the everyday world into service to enjoyably elucidate a set of highly abstruse topics for the average reader. These topics range from the solidity of ordinary matter — a mystery, since ordinary matter is more than 99 percent empty space — to the riddle of whether other universes might exist. Chown accomplishes this without a single equation (except E=mc^2, which is arguably well enough known that its inclusion should not bring condemnation down upon his head.)1 He does use scientific notation a time or two, but always explains it well. In most cases, he sticks with the more familiar method of writing out the number: for example, 100 trillion trillion.
Chown includes quite a bit of history, enlivened with some fascinating anecdotes about Fred Hoyle and other scientists. There is even a final chapter on the subject of extraterrestrials, or more precisely, why there is no sign of them. This covers the ground very well without getting bogged down in the details of speculative alternatives — always a risk when discussing "The Great Silence" — and quite sensibly ends the chapter by noting that the explanation for ET's absence still eludes us. He leaves the last word to Enrico Fermi, who arguably uttered the first scientific word on the subject.
The book provides a set of endnotes (with suggestions for further reading), a Glossary, and a good index. I recommend it, rate it a keeper, and surmise that it would make a good gift for any budding scientist in your family.
To contact Chris Winter, send email to this address.