A Brief History of the Universe

by Sarah Alam Malik

We have always looked up at the sky and wondered.

The desire to explore and understand what lies beyond us is at the heart of scientific discovery. Ever since the ancient Babylonians tracked celestial objects on clay tablets, the search for meaning in an infinitely vast universe has been a profoundly human pursuit.

In this spellbinding book, Dr Sarah Alam Malik takes us on a journey through the discoveries that shaped our perception of the cosmos. From the Earth-centred worldview of Aristotle and the Copernican revolution to Isaac Newton unifying the terrestrial and celestial under the law of gravity. Each breakthrough is a testament to humanity’s determination to peek behind the curtain of our world to examine what’s underneath.

Our ability to imagine and seek out a much grander and more mysterious reality drives us towards an incredible future. From the fiery deaths of faraway suns to the complexities of the subatomic, this is the story of what we’ve found and how they continue to change us.

A Brief History of the Universe (and our place in it)  is a fascinating story of discovery and a beautiful celebration of our endless curiosity.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this one more than i expected. i liked learning new things, especially now, about the universe and the scientists behind the discoveries. the mix of science and reflections makes it feel more meaningful, not just full of facts. it was so much fun. sometimes i felt a bit lost because the language can be slightly poetic or dense, but i still enjoyed my time reading & thinking about it.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is masterfully written. The author is able to present incredibly complex information in a digestible way while being warm, inspiring and poetic. There are parts so challenging that I had to read them multiple times, but that speaks to the fascinating content.

This book taught me so much and invigorated my deep sense of awe and wonder for the space around of us.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant read. Sarah writes incredibly well and in such an accessible manner that the complex becomes comprehensible. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to all.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some of the material here will be familiar to anyone who has read a pop science Astronomy or physics book recently. But Malik is such a good writer that she weaves the new and the unfamiliar together in a lively way that makes for either a fascinating introduction or an engaging review. Delightful.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, audio

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular book which really transmits a sense of awe and wonder at the scientific discoveries thus far and those we have yet to uncover. The book itself is very vast but in a way which isn't overwhelming - loved learning about octopuses seeking escape to cassini self destructing into Saturn in the same book. Humanising the life stories of the scientists themselves also made it a great read with lovely anecdotes about their upbringings. Five stars.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about the various discoveries over time that have helped to explain the universe and universal laws. It is written in a style that is easy to understand and helps bring to life a number of more recent discoveries about our universe. This is a very good book and I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the universe and our role in it.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Reminded me a bit of the Neil de grasse Tyson Cosmos series.