Overview

In this brilliant exploration of our cosmic environment, the renowned particle physicist and New York Times bestselling author of Warped Passages and Knocking on Heaven's Door uses her research into dark matter to illuminate the startling connections between the furthest reaches of space and life here on Earth. Sixty-six million years ago, an object the size of a city descended from space to crash into Earth, creating a devastating cataclysm that killed off the dinosaurs, along with three-quarters of the other species on the planet. What was its origin? In Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs, Lisa Randall proposes it was a comet that was dislodged from its orbit as the Solar System passed through a disk of dark matter embedded in the Milky Way. In a sense, it might have been dark matter that killed the dinosaurs. Working through the background and consequences of this proposal, Randall shares with us the latest findings--established and speculative--regarding the nature and role of dark matter and the origin of the Universe, our galaxy, our Solar System, and life, along with the process by which scientists explore new concepts. In Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs, Randall tells a breathtaking story that weaves together the cosmos' history and our own, illuminating the deep relationships that are critical to our world and the astonishing beauty inherent in the most familiar things.

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9781504645195

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Reviews

Startlingly honest [and] beautifully written...Randall's calm authority and clarity of explanation are exemplary...Like being taken behind the curtain in Oz and given a full tour by the wizard. -- New Scientist magazine (UK) Successful science writing tells a complete story of the 'how'-the methodical marvel building up to the 'why'-and Randall does just that. -- New York Times Book Review Brings a fresh twist to one of the world's oldest murder mysteries...[and] convincingly implicates a new suspect as ultimately responsible for the hit. -- Max Tegmark, New York Times bestselling author A gripping page-turner that is impossible to put down. -- Augusten Burroughs, New York Times bestselling author Intriguing, insightful...A simple, elegant theory that finally makes sense of mass extinctions. A must read for anyone interested in the precariousness of life on earth. -- Jack Horner, MacArthur fellow and author of How to Build a Dinosaur A provocative and revealing account of how scientists like [Randall] are uncovering deep connections between human existence and the wider universe. A terrific read. -- Timothy Ferris, Pultizer Prize nominee Narrator Carrington MacDuffie provides a straightforward narration, which is all this book requires...If you have any interest in the subject, this is as good an audio presentation as could possibly be done. -- AudioFile Writing in a deceptively chatty narrative style, Randall provides a fascinating window into the excitement of discovery and the rigor required to test and elaborate new hypotheses. A top-notch science book from a leading researcher. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) This acclaimed physicist argues that it was dark matter that nudged a comet earthward, so wiping out the dinosaurs sixty-six million years ago. As Randall unfolds the reasoning behind this bold speculation, she traverses an impressive range of science...Engrossing. -- Booklist (starred review) Randall covers a lot of ground, but does so smoothly even when addressing some of science's most abstruse subjects. Hers is a fascinating, tantalizing theory, linking life on Earth-or the extinction thereof-with the very origins of our universe. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) The greatest strength of Randall's book is that it lacks any overly academic jargon and is reasonably easy to understand. -- Bust Written with dry wit and ice-cool clarity. A book anyone at all interested in science must read. Surely the science book of the year. -- Sunday Times (London) A very enjoyable read for both lay readers and scientists. -- Science A cracking read, combining storytelling of the highest order with a trove of information. -- Wall Street Journal

Intriguing, insightful...A simple, elegant theory that finally makes sense of mass extinctions. A must read for anyone interested in the precariousness of life on earth. -- Jack Horner, MacArthur fellow and author of How to Build a Dinosaur A provocative and revealing account of how scientists like [Randall] are uncovering deep connections between human existence and the wider universe. A terrific read. -- Timothy Ferris, Pultizer Prize nominee Narrator Carrington MacDuffie provides a straightforward narration, which is all this book requires...If you have any interest in the subject, this is as good an audio presentation as could possibly be done. -- AudioFile Writing in a deceptively chatty narrative style, Randall provides a fascinating window into the excitement of discovery and the rigor required to test and elaborate new hypotheses. A top-notch science book from a leading researcher. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) This acclaimed physicist argues that it was dark matter that nudged a comet earthward, so wiping out the dinosaurs sixty-six million years ago. As Randall unfolds the reasoning behind this bold speculation, she traverses an impressive range of science...Engrossing. -- Booklist (starred review) Randall covers a lot of ground, but does so smoothly even when addressing some of science's most abstruse subjects. Hers is a fascinating, tantalizing theory, linking life on Earth-or the extinction thereof-with the very origins of our universe. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) The greatest strength of Randall's book is that it lacks any overly academic jargon and is reasonably easy to understand. -- Bust Startlingly honest [and] beautifully written...Randall's calm authority and clarity of explanation are exemplary...Like being taken behind the curtain in Oz and given a full tour by the wizard. -- New Scientist magazine (UK) Written with dry wit and ice-cool clarity. A book anyone at all interested in science must read. Surely the science book of the year. -- Sunday Times (London) A very enjoyable read for both lay readers and scientists. -- Science Successful science writing tells a complete story of the 'how'-the methodical marvel building up to the 'why'-and Randall does just that. -- New York Times Book Review A cracking read, combining storytelling of the highest order with a trove of information. -- Wall Street Journal Brings a fresh twist to one of the world's oldest murder mysteries...[and] convincingly implicates a new suspect as ultimately responsible for the hit. -- Max Tegmark, New York Times bestselling author A gripping page-turner that is impossible to put down. -- Augusten Burroughs, New York Times bestselling author

Author Information

"Lisa Randall studies theoretical particle physics and cosmology at Harvard University, where she is Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she is the recipient of many awards and honorary degrees. Professor Randall was included in Time magazine's ""100 Most Influential People"" of 2007 and was among Esquire magazine's ""75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century."" Professor Randall's two books, Warped Passages (2005) and Knocking on Heaven's Door (2011) were New York Times bestsellers and 100 Notable Books. Her stand-alone e-book, Higgs Discovery: The Power of Empty Space, was published in 2012. Carrington MacDuffie is a voice actor and recording artist who has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has been a frequent finalist for the Audie Award, including for her original audiobook, Many Things Invisible. Alongside her narration work, she has released a new album of original songs, Only an Angel."

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