The Science of Why We Exist: A History of the Universe from the Big Bang to Consciousness

by Tim Coulson

Overview

From the Big Bang and the evolution of the genetic code to the birth of consciousness, this is the extraordinary story of the chain of events that led to human life on earth.

Have you ever wondered why you exist? What had to happen for you to be alive and conscious? Scientists have come a long way in answering this question, and this book describes what they have found out. It also examines whether our existence was inevitable at the universe’s birth 13.77 billion years ago—or whether we are just incredibly lucky.

The book is aimed at readers who are interested in science but are not experts. Written in an entertaining and accessible style, the narrative begins by describing how scientists discover facts before taking the reader on a journey from the Big Bang to the creation of the human genome.

Covering physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences, the emergence of life, evolution, consciousness, the rise of humanity, and how our personalities are moulded by genes, chance, and the environment, the journey explains how the universe started as point of intense energy that over time, in our corner of the universe, resulted in our wonderful planet—and in you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781639366538
Publisher:	Pegasus Books
Publication date:	07/02/2024
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	480
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Tim Coulson is a professor of zoology at the University of Oxford. He has worked as an academic teaching biology for three decades and has published over two hundred peer-reviewed articles. Tim chose to study biology because he was drawn to its inherent complexity, as his desire was to become a specialist in complex systems. His teaching and research has been rewarded with international awards from the Royal Society, the British Ecological Society, the Swedish Oikos society, the Zoological Society of London, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford. Tim regularly gives interviews on the BBC, Sky, and Channel 4 as a talking head. Tim lives in Oxford, England.

Editorial Reviews

05/06/2024

Coulson, a zoology professor at Oxford University, debuts with an expansive if overly digressive chronicle of how billions of years of cosmic history set the stage for the emergence of humans. He explains that “13.77 billion years ago, the universe was a ball of hot energy” that transformed into electrons and quarks, the latter of which joined together to form the first protons and neutrons. Some nine billion years later, the planet Theia collided with Earth and kicked up debris that consolidated into the moon, which created tidal conditions crucial to the development of the first life forms. He details the extraordinary sequence of events that had to happen for life to appear on Earth; for instance, if Jupiter hadn’t moved around the solar system before settling into its current orbit, the space debris it absorbed would have been pulled to Earth, making it too heavy to stay in the habitable zone. Elsewhere, Coulson explores the origins of DNA and how consciousness emerged to organize the five senses. Unfortunately, tedious tangents about Coulson’s love for Australia’s Bungle Bungle mountain range and life in academia distract. Intrusive personal commentary drags down an otherwise enlightening whistle-stop scientific history. Agent: Rebeca Carter, Rebecca Carter Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Step aside Star Wars—ours is the most astonishing story you'll ever hear and it is beautifully told by Tim Coulson."

Professor Ken Norris

"Engaging. Connecting topics ranging from the Big Bang to the birth of consciousness to what shapes our personalities, Coulson presents two stories in parallel: the story of the universe from its birth to the present and the story of what had to happen for the author and reader to exist. Coulson's enthusiasm and expertise are apparent throughout this fascinating and informative text."

Booklist

"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 Kathy Willis

"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

This is The Outline of History that H. G. Wells would have written if he’d lived now rather than then. 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 to have written.

Richard Dawkins

"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

"I learned a lot from this fantastic book on the history of the universe, as will anyone who reads it. In writing this easy to read and highly enjoyable book, evolutionary biologist Tim Coulson places himself amongst the very best science communicators."

Nils Chr. Stenseth

"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

"Tim Coulson’s book is a ripping yarn about the history of our improbable existence. It is fundamentally factual, with every inference evaluated in the context of the scientific method, highlighting the continuity of the thread across vast time scales that span physical, chemical, and biological events that led to who we are today. It is smart, informative, yet approachable and brimming with personal anecdotes and humor."

Rosie Gillespie

"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

"What have we learned 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 brain’s 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

"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. Nainsmith