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Mörkret & människan : om svarta hål och vår plats på jorden
Svarta hål: ett av universums största mysterier. En sorts inre kollaps, ett ställe dit materia färdas för att dö, närmast omöjliga att studera. Men ju mer vi lär oss om vad svarta hål egentligen är, desto mer lär vi oss även om vårt eget ursprung samt vår plats på jorden och i universum.
Jonas Enander har rest världen över, besökt teleskop och observatorier, intervjuat världsledande rymdforskare och grävt djupt i arkiven för att undersöka hur vår relation till svarta hål har förändrats genom åren. Mörkret och människan är ett slags reseberättelse i tid och rum som lika mycket handlar om forskningen som om människorna bakom den, från Tycho Brahe till dagens Nobelpristagare. Det blir en trollbindande och närmast existentiell betraktelse över ljus och mörker, skapelse och förstörelse, liv och död.
Jonas Enander har rest världen över, besökt teleskop och observatorier, intervjuat världsledande rymdforskare och grävt djupt i arkiven för att undersöka hur vår relation till svarta hål har förändrats genom åren. Mörkret och människan är ett slags reseberättelse i tid och rum som lika mycket handlar om forskningen som om människorna bakom den, från Tycho Brahe till dagens Nobelpristagare. Det blir en trollbindande och närmast existentiell betraktelse över ljus och mörker, skapelse och förstörelse, liv och död.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2025
36 people are currently reading
3159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 10, 2024
Jonas skriver otroligt gripande och förståeligt om något som är helt ofattbart svårt att förstå (även för en disputerad astronom!). Jag som alltid varit lite avigt inställd till svarta hål och fascinationen kring dom dras med i Jonas berättelse, som tar oss både genom tid och rum (pun very much intended!). Vi får följa med när de absolut första idéerna kring dessa mystiska objekt föds, till sekelskiftets pionjärer och dagens svarta hål-jägare.
Det jag uppskattar med Mörkret & människan är att, trots att historien domineras av män, låter han många kvinnliga nutida forskare komma till tals: uppfriskande! Den mängd av människor han talat med för att bygga upp sin bok ger en mångfald på synen, inte bara på svarta hål, men på priset och uppoffringarna för forskningen som gör att vi lärt oss om svarta hål.
En bok som utforskar inte bara svarta hål och deras roll i universum, men även oss som människor, vad utforskning betyder för oss, men även vad tankarna på svarta hål gör med oss.
Det jag uppskattar med Mörkret & människan är att, trots att historien domineras av män, låter han många kvinnliga nutida forskare komma till tals: uppfriskande! Den mängd av människor han talat med för att bygga upp sin bok ger en mångfald på synen, inte bara på svarta hål, men på priset och uppoffringarna för forskningen som gör att vi lärt oss om svarta hål.
En bok som utforskar inte bara svarta hål och deras roll i universum, men även oss som människor, vad utforskning betyder för oss, men även vad tankarna på svarta hål gör med oss.
April 21, 2025
Älskade denna bok!!! Så spännande! Och så bra skriven! Jätteintressant!
September 3, 2025
Djupt fascinerande och existentiell, med en inblick både i vad svarta hål är och kan vara och i människorna bakom dessa upptäckter (och hur forskningen påverkar oss på jorden). Allt jag kunde önska mig av boken och mer därtill!
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October 28, 2025Facing Infinity: Black Holes and Our Place on Earth by Jonas Enander is a breathtaking fusion of astrophysics, history, and human philosophy a book that not only explains black holes but redefines our relationship with the universe itself.
From the very first page, Enander establishes himself as both a brilliant scientist and an eloquent storyteller. With elegant precision, he traces humanity’s long fascination with the idea of invisible cosmic giants from John Michell’s 18th-century imagination to the groundbreaking 2019 image of a black hole weaving together centuries of science, curiosity, and discovery.
Yet what makes this book truly extraordinary is its human dimension. Enander does not simply describe how black holes work he reveals what they mean. He uncovers the surprising ways our study of black holes has shaped human progress, from the birth of Wi-Fi technology to the accuracy of GPS satellites, and even how our cosmic exploration mirrors our earthly concerns, including the urgent challenges of climate change.
Written with clarity and wonder, Facing Infinity transforms an overwhelming scientific concept into a profoundly human story one that speaks to our endless desire to understand who we are and where we fit in the universe. Through vivid storytelling and deep insight, Jonas Enander reminds us that even as we gaze into the darkest parts of the cosmos, we are, in truth, looking inward.
A spellbinding achievement part science, part soul Facing Infinity is destined to stand beside the works of Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking as one of the most thought-provoking explorations of existence in our time.
From the very first page, Enander establishes himself as both a brilliant scientist and an eloquent storyteller. With elegant precision, he traces humanity’s long fascination with the idea of invisible cosmic giants from John Michell’s 18th-century imagination to the groundbreaking 2019 image of a black hole weaving together centuries of science, curiosity, and discovery.
Yet what makes this book truly extraordinary is its human dimension. Enander does not simply describe how black holes work he reveals what they mean. He uncovers the surprising ways our study of black holes has shaped human progress, from the birth of Wi-Fi technology to the accuracy of GPS satellites, and even how our cosmic exploration mirrors our earthly concerns, including the urgent challenges of climate change.
Written with clarity and wonder, Facing Infinity transforms an overwhelming scientific concept into a profoundly human story one that speaks to our endless desire to understand who we are and where we fit in the universe. Through vivid storytelling and deep insight, Jonas Enander reminds us that even as we gaze into the darkest parts of the cosmos, we are, in truth, looking inward.
A spellbinding achievement part science, part soul Facing Infinity is destined to stand beside the works of Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking as one of the most thought-provoking explorations of existence in our time.
September 5, 2025
I loved reading this! Facing Infinity lets you dive into the world of black holes in a very engaging and accessible way. This book contains so much: intuitive explanations about black hole physics, personal stories from researchers (and I was happy to note: many female ones as well), the author's vivid travel stories from the observatories he visited, descriptions of the cutting-edge black hole observations, historical context, all woven together beautifully in a coherent story. And also some more unexpected stories: like how black holes influence whole galaxies and perhaps the emergence of life, how they are used to map out the surface of the Earth, and the more complicated ethical side of black hole research.
It's beautifully written as well: fun, clear, and at times poetic. It blew my mind, made me laugh, inspired me, and made me experience awe for the universe, all at the same time.
If you want to get a holistic overview of black holes I strongly recommend reading this book! Both for newbies to this topic as for more experienced readers, as the book contains a lot of new material and perspectives.
It's beautifully written as well: fun, clear, and at times poetic. It blew my mind, made me laugh, inspired me, and made me experience awe for the universe, all at the same time.
If you want to get a holistic overview of black holes I strongly recommend reading this book! Both for newbies to this topic as for more experienced readers, as the book contains a lot of new material and perspectives.
January 27, 2026
I like learning about different branches of science :) But I really enjoyed reading about how our desire to understand the world around us has impacted our daily lives. It’s quite physics heavy and dense but pretty well explained. A book for people who want more in-depth understanding of black holes and the universe as a whole.
The book also didn’t completely shy away from how colonialism has impacted the accessibility of astronomy and astrophysics, and how so much of what we’ve learned about astrophysics has been achieved through displacing and negatively affecting indigenous communities so kudos.
The book also didn’t completely shy away from how colonialism has impacted the accessibility of astronomy and astrophysics, and how so much of what we’ve learned about astrophysics has been achieved through displacing and negatively affecting indigenous communities so kudos.
February 13, 2026
Jonas Enander is a strong storyteller who happens to be an astrophysicist. That combination defines Facing Infinity. The narrative is engaging and accessible, carried by a genuine sense of wonder rather than by technical exposition.
The book is less about explaining black holes in depth and more about the history of their discovery and the way that research has intersected with human civilization—ambition, curiosity, and cultural context. It’s relatively light on the concepts, but that seems intentional. The focus is on story rather than theory.
If I had to contrast it: Brian Cox’s Black Holes feels like a class. Enander’s Facing Infinity feels like a conversation.
The book is less about explaining black holes in depth and more about the history of their discovery and the way that research has intersected with human civilization—ambition, curiosity, and cultural context. It’s relatively light on the concepts, but that seems intentional. The focus is on story rather than theory.
If I had to contrast it: Brian Cox’s Black Holes feels like a class. Enander’s Facing Infinity feels like a conversation.
September 10, 2025
From an 18th-century clergyman’s radical idea to the invention of WiFi, this engrossing and easy-to-read book tells the fascinating story of our quest to understand black holes. Travel the globe as the author consults leading experts about cutting-edge discoveries, and reveals the human story behind the science. Learn how our enthusiasm for these cosmic enigmas has shaped technology, impacted society, and even taught us more about Earth.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 5, 2026
So so excellent! An extraordinary exploration of black holes, not only what they are in scientific terms but also how they metaphorically represent the absolute limits of human knowledge. I was particularly moved by how black holes exist not in our scope of vision, but in mathematical formulas. Extra points for a superb translation and for being genuinely accessible for the average person who struggled through maths and science in school.
October 18, 2025
40 quintillion a 40 followed by 18 zeros.
40,000,000,000,000,000,000 the estimated number of stellar-mass black holes in the observable universe.
A quintillion is equal to one billion billions or one million trillions. So 40 quintillion = mind blown.
40,000,000,000,000,000,000 the estimated number of stellar-mass black holes in the observable universe.
A quintillion is equal to one billion billions or one million trillions. So 40 quintillion = mind blown.
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February 2, 2026A very readable and up to date summary of black hole thinking
Easy to read and understand summary of the history of the development of black hole theory, bringing us right up to date with the very latest thinking
Easy to read and understand summary of the history of the development of black hole theory, bringing us right up to date with the very latest thinking
September 20, 2025
Absolutely fascinating history of what we do and don’t know about black holes.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews