Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781541673595)

A respected physics professor and author breaks down the great debate over the Big Bang and the continuing quest to understand the fate of the universe. Today, the Big Bang is so entrenched in our understanding of the cosmos that to doubt it would seem crazy. But as Paul Halpern shows in Flashes of Creation, just decades ago its mere mention caused sparks to fly. At the center of the debate were Russian American physicist George Gamow and British astrophysicist Fred Hoyle. Gamow insisted that a fiery explosion explained how the elements of the universe were created. Attacking the idea as half-baked, Hoyle countered that the universe was engaged in a never-ending process of creation. The battle was fierce. In the end, Gamow turned out to be right -- mostly -- and Hoyle, despite his many achievements, is remembered for giving the theory the silliest possible name: "The Big Bang." Halpern captures the brilliance of both thinkers and reminds us that even those proved wrong have much to teach us about boldness, imagination, and the universe itself.

Author: Paul Halpern
ISBN-10: 154167359X
ISBN-13: 9781541673595
Publisher: Basic Books
Language: English
Published: 08/17/2021
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 1.10d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/31/2021
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2021