The Accidental Universe cover art

The Accidental Universe

The World You Thought You Knew

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The Accidental Universe

By: Alan Lightman
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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About this listen

From the acclaimed author of Einstein's Dreams and Mr. g comes a meditation on the unexpected ways in which recent scientific findings have shaped our understanding of ourselves and our place in the cosmos.

With all the passion, curiosity, and precise yet lyrical prose that have marked his previous books, Alan Lightman here explores the emotional and philosophical questions raised by discoveries in science, focusing most intently on the human condition and the needs of humankind. He looks at the difficult dialogue between science and religion, the conflict between our human desire for permanence and the impermanence of nature, the possibility that our universe is simply an accident, the manner in which modern technology has separated us from direct experience of the world, and our resistance to the view that our bodies and minds can be explained by scientific logic and laws. And behind all of these considerations is the suggestion - at once haunting and exhilarating - that what we see and understand of the world is only a tiny piece of the extraordinary, perhaps unfathomable whole.

©2014 Alan Lightman (P)2014 Blackstone Audio Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Physics Science String Theory Science Universe

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All stars
Most relevant  
Intriguing listen and interesting in parts. Somewhat confusing to hear the author say is a devout atheist in places then declare he found a God and faith in another. Left me very sceptical listening to what else was said. Good job it was short.

The ramblings of a physacist

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There are some interesting thoughts on a wide variety of Science, Philosophy, Psychology and Religion, but thats it. its meandering and doesn't seem to make any consistent points. its like listening to an intelligent person just randomly saying what pops into his head whilst he thinks aloud.

Hmm. A jumble.

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An excellent listen, superbly presented viewpoints, with first class narration, that I know I’ll re-listen regularly.

Hidden treasure

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I liked the topic, although there is too much mentioning of God for my taste.
I did not like the narrator. He's got a nice voice but speaks like half asleep. His style if narrating more suitable to read bedtime stories than science books.

Narrator spoilt it for me.

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not saying much about opinion mostly facts!
past current and future elaborated in the right way.

good touch up

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I enjoyed the wisdom and insites of the book... which lays out the nature of things and the direction of things..

Science in Context

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Much of what we take for granted is thrown into question by this book. While the opening itself is certainly irregular, the main body is extraordinary in its narrative. A definite must have for any budding evolutionary psychologist.

Think again...

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