Beware Invisible Cows: My Search for the Soul of the Universe

by Andy Martin

What really happened at the moment of the Big Bang? And how the hell do we know? And why is finding out so important? And who are these people who design and build these experiments? And is it all worth it?
Andy Martin sets out on a road trip to search for the soul of the universe. In his personal quest for the mother of all truths, he has to go all the way back to the origin of time and space. He climbs up to the highest observatory in the world and sticks his head inside a 4 km-long laser tube capable of surfing waves from the Big Bang. He sees himself the way he used to be in a mirror and he discovers where you go when you die. He has close encounters with aliens and intimations of immortality. This book has everything -- science, philosophy, literature, religion, Einstein, Weinstein, God, the Godfather, all seen through a glass darkly.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Biography

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2011

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tile very obviously drew me into reading this, but while some part of it was interesting. I didn't quite love it as much as I had hoped. Not bad though. Pretty decent as a not to serious non fiction

[Cassandra Kay Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so many elements in life that I enjoy, literature, science, and specifically cosmology. Many of the authors quests and journeys are of a similar nature to things that I long to learn in life. I guess the thing about it though is it just was a smattering of each and not enough literature, science, or cosmology to really enjoy the work. It was kind of too all over the place. Also I don't know if its because I am a woman, not a twin or generally not similar at all to this guy at all, but I found him unrelateable. I guess with any kind of biographical journey some of the fun of it is seeing the world through someone elses eyes. This is why I enjoy ancient history/biography to see the world that they see, and despite the kind of quirky language it just didn't pull his world together for me. I got lost and didn't feel like I could connect with or understand Andy and I got kind of bored with it because there wasn't enough new factual information or enough emotional energy to keep me hooked. The title was clever though and some parts were enjoyable but the thing I kept feeling was that it wasn't enough.

[Daria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mind-blowing, funny, and thought-provoking romp through the science of existence.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that it promises a great deal, to quote the publisher: 'This book has everything -- science, philosophy, literature, religion, Einstein, Weinstein, God, the Godfather, all seen through a glass darkly.' Well actually no, it doesn't and it thinks' it is a lot funnier, and cleverer than it is. I am poor on science but I adore the writings of scientists who can make their subject soar for a non specialist. This is not that sort of book. I was tempted to be much harder but I believe that would be unfair despite the books many failings. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

(update 2024)

Weinstein? this book boasted about having Weinstein in it - boy do some things not age well, even as jokes, maybe especially as jokes. I am not blaming the author but it just stands out as a huge error? warning, lack of taste? foresight? who knows. I didn't like the book and now the unfortunate reference can allow me to downgrade the rating and forget the book.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent introduction to the topic, nice writing style and easy to understand even with very little previous knowledge of the topic.