The Universal History of Us: A 13.8 billion year tale from the Big Bang to you

(Paperback)

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Description

How did we come to be A complete, uncomplicated guide to the science of life, the universe and everything How did everything start And how did we come to exist In this one book Oxford Professor Tim Coulson seeks to simply explain what science tells us about the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the existence of humanity, and whether our existence was always inevitable or if we are just incredibly lucky. Telling the scientific story of our origins in language that won't put off non-scientists, Coulson provides the most accessible and clear guide yet to what thousands of years of study have told us about who we are, where we came from and what comes next.

Reviews

'What have we learnt about the past 13.8 billion years that resulted in you looking at this book Tim Coulson, a fun scientist who has no limits to his brains boundaries takes us on a free spirited intellectual romp through every aspect of what we know about our universe. A highly readable and super enjoyable book.' * Peter Hudson FRS Willaman Professor of Biology at Penn State *
'A charming, engaging and erudite account by a distinguished biologist of all the things that had to happen for you and me to exist and be as we are.' * David Christian, author of The New York Times Bestseller Origin Story (2018) *
'Step aside Star Wars ours is the most astonishing origin story youll ever hear and its beautifully told by Tim Coulson.' * Professor Ken Norris, Deputy Director of Science at the Natural History Museum *
'An extremely enjoyable read, written in a very engaging way, and sprinkled with often very funny anecdotes. Will appeal to a broad variety of readers and inspire new generations of scientists for years to come.' * Quentin Paynter *
A gangbuster science book. A can't-put-down read. I don't think I have learned more from a single book.' * Douglas W. Smith, Former Senior Wildlife Biologist, Yellowstone National Park *
Achieves something almost impossible, lucid explanation without dumbing down. I would defy any scientist not to read this and learn something. For those with no science beyond the stuff at school which you hated, the author hated school too and has you covered. You can read this for fun and accidentally you will know as much general science as any Professor. * James H Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci MAE, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division at Oxford, Professor of Structural Biology *
Exceptional. A highly infectious read. From the first page I found it impossible to put down. An erudite, witty, and highly intelligent romp through the history of life as we know it * Professor Baroness Kathy Willis, Professor of Biodiversity, University of Oxford *
With wit, wisdom and humility, Tim Coulson takes us on an incredible journey from the Big Bang to life as we know it on planet Earth. The prose is of a perfect weight, and an absolute joy to read. * Sunetra Gupta, Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology at the University of Oxford *
'Most scientists know only their own field. Tim Coulson is at home with science as an integrated whole. A pleasure to read, and a lasting accomplishment * Richard Dawkins *
I learnt a lot from this fantastic book on the history of the universe as will anyone who reads it. * Nils Chr. Stenseth, Director of the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis at the University of Oslo, former President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and a member of the US National Academy of Sciences *
Tim Coulsons book is a ripping yarn about the history of our improbable existence. It is smart, informative, yet approachable and brimming with personal anecdotes and humour. * Rosemary Gillespie, William M. and Esther G. Schlinger Chair in Systematic Entomology and Professor of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, Division of Insect Biology at University of California, Berkeley *

Author Bio

Tim Coulson is Professor of Zoology and joint Head of Biology at the University of Oxford. He has worked as an academic researcher and taught biology for over three decades and has published over 200 papers in scientific journals. The Universal History of Us is his first book.