Stardust

One of the most fabulous revelations afforded by modern cosmology is the fact that we are all stars, literally. The elements which comprise our bodies (like iron or oxygen) were all forged in the burning cores of distant suns, before being flung across the endless wastes of space by the enormous force of stellar explosions. Great stuff!

Now well-known writer and respected astrophysicist John Gribbin has taken this fairy-tale bit of Big Science and used it as the central premise for a book: which describes how the cosmos made us, and what we can therefore make of the cosmos. It's essentially a biography of man from the molecular point of view, with diversions into evolution, astronomy, geology, extra terrestrial life, and so on. One of the more poetic notions covered is that of "panspermia", the idea that the seeds of life are continually being carried across the universe--like so many sycamore keys in an autumn wood. The author definitely sides with those who believe the answer to life is "out there".

As always with John Gribbin, the writing is fresh and accessible, the thinking clear if occasionally complex. The real joy of Stardust is its perspective: in contrast to so many pop cosmology writers, Gribbin has managed to tell a fairly well-known tale in an original and very satisfying way.--Sean Thomas

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Luminous stuff by science-writing luminary! - Rated
John Gribbin's work is always readable, and particularly fascinating to those with a non-scientific background like myself. But with Stardust he excels himself. Taking the simple premiss that everything in the world (including yourself!) is made out of the hydrogen and helium from the very first stars of the Big Bang, Gribbin weaves a tale as luminous as any he has ever written. In prose that is pure and highly entertaining, this old war-horse of science writing provides a skilled explanation of a difficult subject. Fascinating stuff!

The science book of the year - Rated
If you only buy one science book this year, it has to be John Gribbin's STARDUST. I rate this the best book he has ever written, and either his writing style is getting easier or I am getting used to it. The story of how we are literally made of dust from stars is mind-blowing in itself, and the stories he tells of the people who made the discoveries bring it all to life.

Clear, simple explanations for the lay-scientist BUT..... - Rated
This is an excellent book for explaining the latest explanations for star and galaxy creation/evolution for the lay reader. Complex chemical developments and the historical background are laid side by side which makes the book easy to read.

However. One is firstly disturbed by the many references to the author's own books as extra information on the subject - surely there are other 'experts' who have things to say too?

Secondly, the book wavers in it's direction alot and loses it's grip on the arugument in many places. Partly this does help with reading because they can be interesting historic facts; sometimes though they are just weak diversions.

Thirdly, the author fails to attack the reasons WHY life didn't begin from comets and all the very strong arguments relating to this that show that most of the water on Earth came from developments ON / WITHIN Earth. To make the argument convincing these needed to be attacked and dismissed, which they weren't at all leaving me not very convinced or impressed by the last half of the last chapter 'sowing the seed'. Simple ideas like contamination of comets after they had fallen to Earth were not even addressed!

Despite this though, the book does cover valuable developments in cosmology which are of great interest - a worthwhile read, but take cautionary conclusions.

John Gribben's " Stardust " - A must for any keen astronomer - Rated
Like all novice astronomers, I have a limited knowledge of the subject; I'll be honest, this is the first book ive brought to help me understand the true nature of the universe and it has lived up to its title very well - the cosmic recycling of stars, planets and people - He explains complex scenarios with the blessing of being able to make them easy to understand. The book's journey starts with the birth of an atom and finishes with the death of a star not forgetting to mention all that goes on inbetween. I have throughly enjoyed reading this book. Thankyou John. He's the Bill Bryson of Astronomy !