The Stars of Heaven
Do a little armchair space travel, rub elbows with alien life forms, and stretch your mind to the furthest corners of our uncharted universe. With this astonishing guidebook, you don't have to be an astronomer to explore the mysteries of stars and their profound meaning for human existence. Clifford A. Pickover tackles a range of topics from stellar evolution to the fundamental reasons why the universe permits life to flourish. He alternates sections that explain the mysteries of the cosmos with sections that dramatize mind-expanding concepts through a fictional dialog between futuristic humans and their alien peers (who embark on a journey beyond the reader's wildest imagination). This highly accessible and entertaining approach turns an intimidating subject into a scientific game open to all dreamers. Told in Pickover's inimitable blend of fascinating state-of-the-art science and whimsical science fiction, and packed with numerous diagrams and illustrations, The Stars of Heaven unfolds a world of paradox and mystery, one that will intrigue anyone who has ever pondered the night sky with wonder.
Review Quotes:
"The journey helps readers understand where humans came from, the probable fate of the universe, and what stars tell us about our very being."--Science News
"An ambitious overview of astronomy.... The 'stars of heaven' yield the essential secrets of existence itself, and, in so doing, are a spiritual as well as scientific resource."--Kirkus Reviews
Review Quotes:
"The journey helps readers understand where humans came from, the probable fate of the universe, and what stars tell us about our very being."--Science News
"An ambitious overview of astronomy.... The 'stars of heaven' yield the essential secrets of existence itself, and, in so doing, are a spiritual as well as scientific resource."--Kirkus Reviews
Review Quotes:
"The journey helps readers understand where humans came from, the probable fate of the universe, and what stars tell us about our very being."--Science News
"An ambitious overview of astronomy.... The 'stars of heaven' yield the essential secrets of existence itself, and, in so doing, are a spiritual as well as scientific resource."--Kirkus Reviews
Review Quotes:
"The journey helps readers understand where humans came from, the probable fate of the universe, and what stars tell us about our very being."--Science News
"An ambitious overview of astronomy.... The 'stars of heaven' yield the essential secrets of existence itself, and, in so doing, are a spiritual as well as scientific resource."--Kirkus Reviews
Biographical Note:
Clifford A. Pickover is an associate editor of several journals and a prolific inventor, and his science web site, www.pickover.com, has received over a million visits. Pickover is also the author of many best-selling books on popular science topics. He lives in Yorktown Heights, New York.
Review Citations:
Kirkus Reviews 10/01/2001 pg. 1406 (EAN 9780195148749, Hardcover)
Booklist 12/01/2001 pg. 619 (EAN 9780195148749, Hardcover)
Contributor Bio: Pickover, Clifford A
Clifford A. Pickover received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is the author of over twenty highly-acclaimed books on topics such as computers and creativity, art, mathematics, black holes, human behavior and intelligence, time travel, alien life, and science fiction. Pickover is a prolific inventor with dozens of patents, is the associate editor for several journals, the author of colorful puzzle calendars, and puzzle contributor to magazines geared to children and adults. The Los Angeles Times recently wrote, 'Pickover has published nearly a book a year in which he stretches the limits of computers, art, and thought.' Wired magazine wrote, 'Bucky Fuller thought big, Arthur C. Clarke thinks big, but Cliff Pickover outdoes them both.' Pickover's computer graphics have been featured on the cover of many popular magazines and on TV shows. His web site, www.pickover.com, has received over a half-million visits.