mondojohnson

Simon Singh’s latest — and perhaps last — book brilliantly walks the reader (however mathematically challenged) from the days man first wondered at the night sky to the current-day theories of the Big Bang.

As I’ve said before, Singh can break it down for you without being the least bit condescending. His books actually make you feel smarter (unlike those of, say, Stephen Hawking, who leaves me feeling inferior and DUUUUMMMMMMB).

Not only do we get swing along with the theories and counter-theories that have brought us to our current understanding: we also get a fascinating glimpse into the role of ego, pique and serendipity in the scientific process.

My copy of Big Bang was signed by Simon Singh at the “Theatre of Science” show I saw a few weeks back (see previous post). Although he is on my top-ten sexy nerds list, I couldn’t bring myself to slip him my phone number after he signed. Oh well…

If this is his last book, as he has said it might be, I hope it doesn’t rule out his appearance on TV and radio. (Great SS radio show: Five Numbers on BBC Radio 4. He followed it up with Another Five Numbers.)