God and the Astronomers Second Edition | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert Jastrow
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
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Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 156199
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Pages: 160
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5
ISBN: 0393850064
Dewey Decimal Number: 520
EAN: 9780393850062
Publication Date: July 2000
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Product Description
If every effect in science has a cause, what caused the birth of the Universe? Have scientists brought themselves face to face with the possibility of God? In God and the Astronomers, Dr. Robert Jastrow, world-renowned astrophysicist, describes the astronomical discoveries of recent years and the theological implications of the new insights afforded by science into mankind's place in the cosmos. He explains the chain of events that forced astronomers, despite their initial reluctance ("Irritating," said Einstein; "Repugnant," said the great British astronomer Eddington; "I would like to reject it," said MIT physicist Philip Morrison) to accept the validity of the Big Bang and the fact that the universe began in a moment of creation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Created Universe July 9, 2001
R. Michael Friends (Round Rock, TX USA)
28 out of 32 found this review helpful
With this excellent book, Robert Jastrow has written a good, easily understood overview of the Argument for Design from the perspective of cosmology. He first presents the reasons why there is a consensus among scientist for the Big Bang theory and an expanding universe (particularly convincing is Penzias/Wilson's radiation from the cosmic fireball). The universe is not only expanding, it is doing so at a controlled rate that allows for intelligent life (a bit faster start would have lead to rapid expansion, slower leading to an early collapse). He then leads the reader to the obvious questions raised by the new cosmology; who did it and why. Why did the Universe begin in an explosion? Did the Universe exist before that moment? Why does the Universe seem designed for life and for man? A nice extra is the final chapter by Steven Katz; Judaism, God and the Astronomers. He argues that Judaism permits freedom of ideas, and that interpretation of Biblical texts is a long tradition. He quotes Maimonides, saying that the writers of Genesis used metaphors, "in order that the uneducated may comprehend it according to the measure of their facilities and the feebleness of their comprehension; while the educated take it in a different (i.e., allegorical or nonliteral) sense." Other nice extras include the many historical photos as well as an index.
The Big Bang for non-physicists August 25, 2006
D.C.S. (Upper Chichester, PA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you are looking for an enjoyable, accessible introduction to the science behind the Big Bang theory, then this book is for you. Non-specialists need not fear being put to sleep by complex mathematical formulae and arcane terminology. Dr. Jastrow lays out the basic evidence for the theory in a non-technical way and explains why it gained acceptance over the competition. Along the way he provides interesting glimpses of the important figures in the history of the theory.
On the negative side, there isn't a great deal of discussion of the relation of Big Bang cosmology to theism until the end of the book. Appropriately, it includes afterwords by a Catholic scientist and a Jewish professor of religion presenting their take on the implications of the theory for theology, but they hardly represent the broad spectrum of opinion on the subject. On the positive side, the sparse theological discussion makes this great primer for anyone who wants to know about the Big Bang even if they don't care about theology.
Excellent Book on the Big Bang for Lay People May 22, 2008
Jason Kyle Richie (Hazard, KY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First of all, I read a 1978 edition of Jastrow's book so I can't comment on the theological appendix. As to the text itself, I believe it gives a very good non-technical overview of the Big Bang Theory. While an agnostic himself, Jastrow gives in my opinion a very fair and uncontroversial (in respect to either side) overview of the formation of the universe. The book is a fast read and is especially suited to readers who want some basic scientific information without diving into a lot of the fine details. Jastrow writes about a number of scientists in the book and a number of beautiful space photographs are included as well. One of my only complaints is that more wasn't said regarding Lamaetra. Overall, I enjoyed the book considerably.
An informative journey throught the Big Bang July 22, 2008
none (Richmond, VA)
I was tempted to read the new biography written on Einstein. My motive was to learn about all the evidence that changed the majority of scientists from the Steady State view to the Big Bang. I knew Einstein was a pivotal figure and struggled with the philosophical implications of the Big Bang. He was reluctant to accept the view; however, he eventually was won over by the evidence showing the universe had a begining.
The problem with the new Einstein biography is its over 500 hundred pages. Also, I am not interested in all of Einstein's history. (I don't care how many women Einstein slept with).
In God and the Astronomers, Robert Jastrow has written just what I was looking for. I wanted the segments of scientific history that delt with the Big Bang. I wanted to the know who the major players were. I wanted to see how the different theories arose and how evidence then supported those theories. An example would be, after Hubble discovered the evidence for "red shift", some scientist theorized that if the universe came from a type of explosion, then a faint trace of radiation should exist in the background of the universe. In other words, even though the Big Bang is a supposed one time event in history (science of origin), we can use our knowledge of explosions (operative science) and predict likely evidence. Now, the theorists were not the same people who found the evidence. But, in each case Jastrow takes us step by step between theory and discovery.
Also, I like that Jastrow does not speculate beyond the Big Bang. He is honest. He simply states, although it is not science, he finds the question interesting. In the edition of the book I read, Jastrow includes responses by two different theologians. These portions were average.
If you are looking for a complete yet concise book on the history of discovery involving the Big Bang, get this book.
A good introduction. . . December 21, 2000
David Zampino (Delavan, Wisconsin)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
. . .as to why science and theology don't have to be enemies. Dr. Jastrow, recognized as one of the world's foremost astronomers (and an acknowledged agnostic on religious matters) demonstrates with remarkable honesty that astronomy and theology may well have more to talk about than the fanatics in either field would like to admit. He does so in a manner which is non-threatening, non-controversial, and non-technical.The book's greatest flaw, in my opinion, is that at times it does not seem techincal enough. The type of person most likely to purchase this book is frequently well-read and informed about the issues, and well able to handle a deeper discussion.
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