Black Hole Survival Guide

Having read numerous books on modern physics (written for lay readers), I confess that this one is the most fun and as well the clearest by far. That is not to say that Janna Levin’s book offers any final theories. We remain at a loss to sort out the conflict between relativity and quantum mechanics. Still, this books offers a great deal of insight into the remaining quandary.I feel compelled to offer a sample of this quandary in the form of one of the poems from my recent collection under the title, De Rerum Natura: On Nature and Poetry. A Singularity Weighs on MeNot a singular thought or regret;Rather a physicist’s dark gem,The concept of infinitelyTangled mass and energyShining solely inward, stealing awayTo a black point. All and nothing.Not a personal remorse,Yet a gravity that quells my breath,An avalanche burying my breastIn an arctic tundra of frozenRivers, arteries and veins,Still blood and a silent heart.No escape? Only brief life chancesBetween a cosmic crunch and zero kelvin?No third choice, just confrontation or solitude?Sun Yat-sen or Lao Tzu?A sly smile parts your lips.A motile single-helix dances for a willing ovum.A quantum fluctuation? No, but a NewWorld born of the sparkle in your eye.Anyone who finds contemporary science fascinating and also enjoys poetry will find my book engaging. Those of us who have turned away from myths of the past and embraced scientific knowledge understand that beauty and mysteries still abound. Janna Levin’s book proves that conclusion, as I hope my own book does as well.

Janna Levin is a Leonardo for the 21st century-astrophysicist and artist. Her clear exposition of current debates and quandaries in the scientific study of black holes is always clear-sighted about the paradoxes:"Undermine notions of reality, but ameliorate the pain with a mind searing vision of nature."Gorgeous scientific writing for the heart and the brain. Thank you Janna Levin

Overall this was a great book, I learned some new interesting stuff and connected some dots about gravity and black holes. The illustrations were great. My main issue is with the size of the book. This is the smallest format I have ever seen - it fits in your small pocket. I do understand this was intentional (and in a way artistic), but I think this subject (as well as the illustrations) deserves a full-fledged book, and Janna can certainly pull it of. Because of its smallness the book lacked in the depth of explanations and often left me wanting more, or to continue on the line of thought the author was having. This is because the book raises some crucial questions in the topics like: information loss paradox, Hawking radiation and is there quantum gravity, all revolving around black holes, but it tends to stick to its very hypothetical survival format type guide, which is nice, but we all know how it ends (or do we?). The book explains just barely enough on the mentioned subjects (enough to continue with the hypothetical scenario), and it leaves a reader like me wanting more. I think the book should have had more emphasis on these essential topics, and more of the author's thoughts and ideas, especially because Jana has the ability to explain complex cutting-edge scientific topics in a presentable language that is easier to understand. I hope I can see something like that from Jana in the future. That said, chances are you will feel amazed and will definitely learn something from this book.

This book was a great explanation of the physics of a black hole without mind numbing mathematics.

Janna is such a fantastic writer, and a brilliant scientist. This is an accessible, fun little book that I wasn’t expecting to love so much! Additionally, there is so much attention to detail in the design and publication of the book. Add this to your reading list today!

Loved the book! This is a quick overall analysis of current understandings of black holes & supermassives as a whole! There are only superficial ways to survive, nothing in actuality. But the underlying overall inescapable reality is, as long as we're in the galaxy we're currently in (as to say we'll survive for billions of years to come as a species) we'll ultimately NEVER escape the inevitability of a black hole.

Dr. Levin's clear, concise, and fun descriptions, with beautiful artwork, will lead you on a wondrous journey. Don't miss this fascinating book about black holes! (Hint: you will survive!)

Content not exactly what I was expecting ..

Me encantó, llego en perfectas condiciones

This book is rigorous in the Science and yet understandable for the layman. Recommended for those with an interest in the incredible world of Black Holes where Physics is crushed.

What a great way to help people understand a black hole- by describing what happens from a human point of view instead of just the physics. Easy to read and enjoyable.

The author talks about BH with an approach very interesting and a nice style., The arguments are developped with competence and attention. The way of exposing is clear and rich of humor. The book is short, but we must do as readers great attention to several particularities. In fact many aspects of the theory are surely not obvious.

Really good book by a great author.