Listening to the Big Bang

by Brian Greene

From renowned physicist and New York Times best-selling author Brian Greene comes the remarkable human quest to grasp how the universe came to be.

A Russian dissident, a Jesuit priest, and an American mule skinner are but a few of the bold visionaries who crafted the scientific story of cosmic origins. The collective insights of these and numerous creative thinkers advanced human understanding from mythology to mathematics, yielding falsifiable alternatives to ancient folklore and campfire tales.

Listening to the Big Bang tells the dramatic human story—filled with colorful characters, unsung catalysts, and glorified heroes—which made the Big Bang the leading cosmological theory.

But deep questions remain. Was the big bang a one-time event or might there be series of bangs? What sparked the big bang? Why is there anything at all? Decades of astronomical evidence notwithstanding, only by listening for the sounds of creation will scientists be equipped to extol, or extend, or expel our most refined story for how the universe began.

With deep insight, a light touch, and an artful sense of narrative, Brian Greene takes us all to the very edge of understanding.

Genres: Science, Audiobook, Nonfiction, History, Astronomy, Physics

3 pages, Audible Audio

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Brian Randolph Greene is an American theoretical physicist and mathematician. Greene was a physics professor at Cornell University from 1990–1995, and has been a professor at Columbia University since 1996 and chairman of the World Science Festival since co-founding it in 2008. Greene has worked on mirror symmetry, relating two different Calabi–Yau manifolds (concretely relating the conifold to one of its orbifolds). He also described the flop transition, a mild form of topology change, showing that topology in string theory can change at the conifold point.
Greene has become known to a wider audience through his books for the general public, The Elegant Universe, Icarus at the Edge of Time, The Fabric of the Cosmos, The Hidden Reality, and related PBS television specials. He also appeared on The Big Bang Theory episode "The Herb Garden Germination", as well as the films Frequency and The Last Mimzy. He is currently a member of the board of sponsors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have learned more science in the last few years than I did at school.

This audiobook is excellent, and covers everything, including the scientists.

[Cav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the Big Bang was an interesting and well-done short work. The book is presented in an audio format, so I won't include any quotes that my reviews typically feature.

Author Brian Randolph Greene is an American theoretical physicist and mathematician. Greene was a physics professor at Cornell University from 1990–1995, and has been a professor at Columbia University since 1996 and chairman of the World Science Festival since co-founding it in 2008.

Brian Greene :


The audiobook is a short presentation. The version I have clocks in at just under 3 hours. Although it is a shorter work, it is very informationally-dense. In a somewhat counterintuitive sense, you often can get more info from a short book than a long one.

In my experience, longer books frequently go off on long-winded tangents. The writing can be dry and boring, and drown the reader in a sea of tedium and minutia. Conversely, a shorter book needs to ensure it communicates all the relevant info efficiently. Thankfully, this book also did a great job of that. It is a great example of science writing done well.

As touched on above, the book covers a lot of ground in a short time period. Here are some of the topics the author speaks to:
• Some early theories on space expansion
• Einstein's relativity; curved space-time
• The expanding universe; expanding space time, red shift
• Cosmic background radiation (discovered in 1964)
• The Universe being 13.8 billion years old
• Inflationary theory
• Multiverse Theory

********************

I enjoyed Listening to the Big Bang. I would easily recommend it to anyone interested. It was a very well put-together short presentation.
5 stars.

[M Delea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this; the author was also the reader. He had a great conversational tone, and that made all the science-y stuff easy for me, with my brain not made for physics, to understand and enjoy. It is a short book, yet it manages to introduce a number of scientists and their theories of how our universe started. Very enjoyable!

[Achyuth Murlei · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read, dripping with Brian Greene’s signature charisma and storytelling mastery. A clear and concise listen that manufactures interest in just about anyone, irrespective of background.

The audiobook guides the listener through the history of astronomy and cosmology—not only through the evolution of the theory, but also through the lives of those who shaped it. The human stories behind each discovery and invention must serve as essential inclusions in the average school textbook, and this audiobook brings that aspect out flawlessly.

For motivated middle-grade learners, this is not just a recommended read but required to assist them in exploring science through a different lens.

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[James Livermore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. Loved it! Greene makes concepts relatable and easy to understand.

[Volkan Ediz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and fascinating listen. I love when science books not only explain theories but also dive into the personalities of the scientists—their excitement, jealousy, charisma, envy, and everything that makes them human. Brian Greene really brings that to life while still delivering the science in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow.

The book covers some of the latest and greatest ideas in cosmology without feeling overwhelming. I especially enjoyed learning more about repulsive gravity and inflationary theory, and Greene does a great job breaking these down into layman’s terms without losing their wonder.

There are also deeper questions explored, like where the initial regularity of the universe’s energy comes from, and how quantum mechanics fits into that story. Big ideas, but told in a way that keeps you thinking without feeling lost.

Highly recommend if you enjoy science mixed with a bit of history and a real sense of wonder about the universe!

[Juan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook is made for anyone who loves the cosmos. It takes you through the scientists who shaped our first cosmic laws—from Newton and Einstein to today’s researchers.

Two takeaways stayed with me:

First, even the brightest minds can be pulled off course by their own beliefs. Einstein’s case is a perfect example: his equations pointed to an expanding universe, but because he disliked that implication, he introduced the “cosmological constant” to force a static universe.

Second, we still have an enormous amount left to discover. Mathematically, multiverses can look like a very plausible option—but will we ever be able to observe them? Will we detect primordial gravitational waves from inflation?

In the end, this book left me with a mix of humility and excitement. A great starting point for anyone who wants to think bigger about what we know—and everything we still don’t.

[Jeff Brawner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so clearly written. More than Tyson, and way more than Hawking, Greene explains concepts such as gravity, the Big Bang, the multi-verse, and the expansion of the universe in simple terms that even a laymen can follow. I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to be more conversant in these scientific concepts.

[Melanie Brocklehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greene highlights interesting characters, previously unknown catalysts, and, those who became physics heroes as he explains who, and how, the Big Bang became the leading cosmological theory. A really accessible introduction to physics and the big bang that I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to dip a toe in the water and understand this subject a little further.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook covers the stuff I've read about cosmology (in popular books) but it is presented in a better way. I suppose I am saying that I like the narrator who is also the author. He put energy into the reading that really kept my attention.

I will probably listen to this audiobook again.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short history of the science behind the big bang theory with interesting profiles of the scientists involved. Made the various theories quite clear and how each discovery can lead to another theory.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audiobook. Really enjoyed it. Mind blowing concepts explained with clarity and detail. I loved that it was read by the author.

[Paul Triller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into the wonderful world of man's curiosity about how it all began.
Do not get worried about getting lost in a jungle of jargon.

[Hind · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short audiobook.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, informative, fun explanation of the major scientific discoveries surrounding the Big Bang.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised at the wealth of info in this short novel. Well worth it for the narrator alone.

[Dirtybacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did the audiobook, it was a very fascinating listen, highly recommended. Greene does a great job of presenting keen observations of physics

[Hunter Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! Highly recommend! I learned a lot a Professor Greene is incredibly engaging and insightful. A true delight to listen to.

[Lisa Lefler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a science book enthusiast, but this was so digestible and actually interesting.

[AttackGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only if time is…


Ahhh theory

[X Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Half a point down for weird personal commentary on personalities, history and career trajectories of physicists mentioned.

[Kim Mearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Read over and over as I fell asleep. I want to read more of his books.

[Ghost Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sleeping material. 10/10 Fastest I've fallen to sleep.