The Accidental Universe cover art

The Accidental Universe

The World You Thought You Knew

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Accidental Universe

By: Alan Lightman
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

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 Mathematics Science Universe
All stars
Most relevant  
For Anyone wanting more in depth reading on the Universe - the recommended reading is Sean Carroll, Brian Green and David Deutsch.
This is an easy to understand book and easy to listen to the audiobook.
Always fascinating and sometimes whimsical.
The “world” from sub atomic particles to the edge of our vast Universe is covered with enough depth and width without too much complexity.
Subjects like religion and consciousness are also covered.
Highly recommended.

Excellent summary of the Universe.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
as the title suggests, a beautiful demonstration of how social sciences and classical science can both be utilised to tell the story of our universe more effectively.
A brilliant, even necessary read.

Perfect blend of so-called 'hard & soft' sciences

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
really nice essay,thought provoking and beautifully narated, well worth the time taken to listen too

worth the time to listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.