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Forces of Nature

Written by: Professor Brian Cox,Andrew Cohen
Narrated by: Samuel West
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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

What the critics say

"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)

What listeners say about Forces of Nature

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Samuel West

Need to sleep? This bad boy will have you out in 30 mins tops. If it doesn't, you will have gained lots of knowledge. win win

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The audiobook equivalent of a page turner

At its best, the book starts with a simple question and takes the listener on a thoroughly fascinating ride through science and history. It reminded me at times of Connections, one of my favourite shows from my youth.

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  • Philomath
  • 2017-06-13

Complicated in its simplicity

Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen have the ability to explain science in a fashion that still maintains depth, yet you don't need to be a scientist to understand it. This is simpler said than done, specially when you explain all of what is out there from its simplest components.

The authors passion is carried vividly in this book, that even the few equations that are provided sound like poetry.

This book is not too simple, but definitely a gem. It is yet another up to date explanation of science in the cutting edge, where progress is moving faster than books can be written.

Highly recommended for those who want to be informed of where we are and are willing to strain their mind just a little, the lovers of science.

12 people found this helpful

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  • Sharey
  • 2017-08-02

Very Good

You will need to engage your brain to follow these complex concepts, so do not expect an easy listen. That said, once you have shifted gear to listen very intently, West will carefully deliver Cox's fascinating explanations of the forces of nature to the average person who is not well-versed in physics. If you are, however, this book may be too elementary for you and you might find this book too pedestrian. If you do get in over your head, just listen and pick up what you can!

6 people found this helpful

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  • Chip C.
  • 2017-07-13

And I thought I had read it all ...

No, I hadn't. I also thought I knew most of the basics of this physics, astronomy and other natural sciences stuff. I didn't. This is a very well written and narrated book. A fun listen! Particularly for the price.

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  • Carlos Diaz
  • 2020-09-15

Beautifully written and read

I loved learning about the reasons things are they way they are. Snowflakes are so much more interesting when you see why they are unique and have six sides.
I teared up at Cox's description of the possibility that all events, such as your favorite memory, exist out there in spacetime.
Samuel West was the perfect match for this book

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  • Jose A. Colon
  • 2022-07-05

One of the best books on science.

I hear it over and over at night, awake and asleep, and every time I learn something new. Concepts are described and explained in a clear and simple way, while still affirming the complexity of nature. The more I hear it, the more I enjoy it.

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  • Great and powerful IDE
  • 2017-07-24

good read nice examples

Brian Cox is a great job of making complicated things easier to understand by using great examples that are very relatable.

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  • Kayla I
  • 2022-12-16

Super interesting, super difficult

I am a well educated person who listens to a lot of science books. This one was really beautiful and fun, but also really challenging and mind bending at times. I think you need a physics to degree to fully grasp what he is saying sometimes.
I appreciate that he did go back between stories and hard science so I could get back on track when I got lost. I think I will definitely need another listen, though.
Narration was perfect!
Really worth a listen.

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  • Craig
  • 2022-08-10

So good

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

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  • Nicola Bleasby
  • 2021-12-31

A struggle

Really tough stuff for an audiobook. It probably requires a second listen, but I didn’t find the story particularly compelling and couldn’t finish it the first time - so I don’t think I’ll bother.

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  • John B Swain
  • 2021-10-20

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.