Forces of Nature

By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen

Narrated by: Samuel West

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A Sunday Times best seller.

A breathtaking and beautiful exploration of our planet, this groundbreaking audiobook accompanies the BBC One TV series, providing the deepest answers to the simplest questions.

'What is motion?'

'Why is every snowflake different?'

'Why is life symmetrical?'

To answer these and many other questions, Professor Brian Cox uncovers some of the most extraordinary natural events on Earth and in the universe and beyond.

From the immensity of the universe and the roundness of Earth to the form of every single snowflake, the forces of nature shape everything we see. Pushed to extremes, the results are astonishing. In seeking to understand the everyday world, the colours, structure, behaviour and history of our home, we develop the knowledge and techniques necessary to step beyond the everyday and approach the universe beyond.

Forces of Nature takes you to the great plains of the Serengeti, the volcanoes of Indonesia and the precipitous cliffs in Nepal to the humpback whales of the Caribbean and the northern lights of the Arctic. Brian will answer questions on Earth that will illuminate our understanding of the universe.

Think you know our planet?

Think again.

©2017 Professor Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before - a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena." ( Sunday Express)

"Engaging, ambitious and creative." ( Guardian)

"Cox's romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too." ( Guardian)

Excellent

Inspiring, thought provoking, impactful. Everything I needed to hear about the elements that shape the physical phenomenon of our natural world. One of those books you listen to where you feel the compulsive need to stop every five minutes to write it all down & upon completing find yourself driving to the bookstore to buy the hard copy. One to read again.

So good

More please tell us about quantum entanglement and the possibility of faster than light communication

Love it

Would've preferred it to be narrated by Brian Cox but either way it was terrific

Interesting and will written

Brian Cox has done a wonderful job with this book. He tells the story of science by starting each chapter with a seemingly simple question, and synthetizes a rich fabric of physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and mathematics to formulate a surprisingly understandable answer to each.

Well written and superbly explained for those of is interested, but not so knowledgeable

Superbly written subject matter for those interested in basic modern science at the leading edge. Explanations made straightforward and easy to understand. Most enjoyable.

EVERYBODY should read Brian’s book!

I am serious; if everybody in the world read this book we would have a better planet to live in. It is impossible to appreciate something that we do not understand or know how rare and fragile it is. Every earthling should know why the sky is blue, sunsets red, and rainbows an arch.

Amazing book! Wish it was longer

Wonderful book on scientific thought and the study of the universe. It is no science textbook, but you need some background in high school science to get the full impact.

My favourite thing about this book is the passion and wonder for science that jumps from the “page”, so to speak. I wish it was a longer book!

inspiring!

Better than science fiction. Science is so fascinating and this book really makes one appreciate it. Thank you!

Superb Scientific Communicator.

I was floored by Cox and Cohen’s precise and perfected delivery. Inspiring beyond belief, I can only dream to follow in their footsteps.

Thank you. A truly beautiful read. A masterpiece summary of our times.

Enjoyable and thoughtfully challenging

Excellent book! It is not easy listening; you must be present. I'll likely listen again.