The Known Unknowns

What an achievement: science, the beauty of science, the adventure of science so well expressed. Even a wretched innumerate like me can grasp the excitement of the key stories in discovery that Lawrence Krauss tells with such spellbinding clarity and generous authority. Throughout it all runs a vivid and deeply important reminder of science’s respect for mistakes: doubt, the unknown and contingent truths that are always up for being questioned, reassessed, and refined. A book that reawakens wonder * Stephen Fry * With the ease of a master, Lawrence Krauss takes us on a sightseeing tour to the biggest unknowns in the universe. A breath-taking trip to the frontiers of knowledge and beyond. * Sabine Hossenfelder, Physicist and author of “Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions” * A fascinating exploration, with an expert and thoughtful guide, through the domains of what is reasonably well understood, what we can at least think about seriously, and those tantalizing areas that always seem to lurk beyond our grasp. * Noam Chomsky, Institute Prof emeritus MIT, Laureate Prof U of Arizona, most recent book: The Withdrawal, with Vijay Prashad * Krauss has a genius for making science understandable and exciting in equal parts. This account of some of the key puzzles in physics is a wonderfully lucid and stimulating introduction, which only a real scientist with an enthusiastic gift for communication could achieve. Krauss ticks both boxes handsomely. It adds to his remarkable body of work in making the world more scientifically literate and greatly more rational. * Anthony Grayling, Professor of Philosophy and Principal, New College of Humanities And author most recently of For the Good of the World. * Lawrence Krauss knows science. Even more impressive Lawrence can explain science (even to me). This book is about the crucial stuff that Lawrence knows and some stuff that even Lawrence doesn’t know (and neither does anyone else). He explains clearly what no one knows, so we can all help figure it out. * Penn Jillette, magician, actor, TV host and author most recently of Random. * This fascinating book offers a highly readable exposition of the fundamental questions that perplex us most -- those that lie on (or beyond) the current frontiers of human knowledge. Lawrence Krauss is a fine scientist with a broad perspective. And he's also an excellent writer, able to expound deep mysteries in language that's always clear, and often entertaining too. Anyone with an enquiring mind should enjoy this book -- it deserves very wide readership. * Lord Martin Rees, Astronomy Royal, Former President of the Royal Society and Master of Trinity College Cambridge * PRAISE FOR LAWRENCE KRAUSS: 'Brilliant and fundamental, this is the necessary book about our prime global emergency' Ian McEwan on The Physics of Climate Change. 'Lawrence Krauss is a fine physicist, a talented writer, and a scientist deeply engaged with public affairs' Lord Martin Rees, former president of the Royal Society. 'Brimming with information lucidly analysed' Richard Dawkins on The Physics of Climate Change. 'Elegant, rigorous, timely... The ideal book for anyone interested in the science of global warming' Elizabeth Kolbert on The Physics of Climate Change. 'Lucid and gripping' * Noam Chomsky on The Physics of Climate Change *