Teach Yourself Cosmology (Teach Yourself)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 200 pages
• Published by: McGraw-Hill
• Edition: 1st Edition November 1, 1999
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0844226815
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0844226811
• Book Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 9.6 ounces

Product Description
Provides an introduction to cosmology, from its historical development and the philosophies of the ancient world, to the incredible discoveries made in recent decades. Emphasizes experimental and observational evidence, explains key scientific ideas in an easy to understand way, and uses exercises and activities to reinforce concepts. Softcover.

Reader Reviews
Teach Yourself cosmology, by Jim Breithaupt, 1999 provides a good overview of cosmological principals in an easy to understand, chronological format by topic. Although I have a EE degree, I haven't used any advanced math for over twenty years. I found that while reading a borrowed astrophysics text, that I ended up skimming over the many pages of math trying to grasp the concepts. Breithaupt doesn't totally avoid math, but he limits it to an amount that most anyone can grasp, while still providing enough to support the basic concepts covered. Overall the ideas are clear, easy to grasp, and are logical; with an understanding of the experiments that help support them. Couple this with interesting history of these ideas and the people that developed them and you have an interesting and informative book. My only criticism is that the last few chapters which deal with fundamental forces, the early universe, and into the future; present much less of the supporting experimental data with many things just stated as fact. Perhaps the author "ran out of steam" or these concepts are just too difficult to present in this level of text. I was left with a much less intuitive understanding in these areas. I will look for other books that fill these voids. I found this book to be interesting and informative and rate it 4 stars.