On "A Universe from Nothing"
The recently published paperback edition of A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss has a new preface which at best should be an appendix rather than a preface. In it, besides remarking on the discovery of the Higgs boson, Krauss carries on his argument with believers that was inflamed by the original publication of the book a year ago. So, skip the “Preface to the Paperback Edition” and, if you want, read it after you’ve read the rest of the book.
Likewise, the main text itself suffers from repeated hectoring concerning the author’s antitheist views, which in some parts may be appropriate to the immediate topic, but overall becomes annoying in its quantity. OK, we get it already! You don’t believe in god.
Nevertheless, Krauss gives, by far, the clearest explanation I’ve ever read of the big bang theory; completely up to date, with the latest observational evidence. Just be as careful as he is to notice when he changes gears and goes from well tested theory into the merely plausible. In the two penultimate chapters, he presents the crux of his notion of creation—something from nothing—to a depth not possible within the limitations of the lecture which gave rise to this book.
posted @ 09:09 AM EDT