The Iron Sun: Crossing The Universe Through Black Holes

by Adrian Berry

Explains the nature of the black holes in space and discusses the possibility of manufacturing black holes in the distant future and using them as a means of instantaneous space travel.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a story at first.
Then I thought it was a scientific journal.

At least I realized what it was: a pitch!
This is a pitch.

“How can we use black holes to assist us in interstellar travel? Here’s how!”


Albeit written/published in 1977, therefore posing some outdated concepts to the reader, it was still overall a very solid piece of conjecture, backed with respectable hypotheses and name-drops you’d expect in this field.

[Jose Moa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ths book is of 1977 and must be see in his histhorical context, in the enthusiasm by the spatial journeis and the first discovery of black holes, but now near 40 years after it seems more a hard science fiction novel tan a book of science because to me it is very optimist on the technological achievements of the humankind an very futuristic and i am rather pessimist on the future of the humans as specie if dont change its way.Besides it has a number of phiysics problems first:nobody knows what exactly happens inside a black hole becuse we dont have a quantum theory of gravitation,second :we dont knows where the end of a Einstein-Rosen bridge is it would be in the intergalactic nothing,third :nobody has observed a white hole,fourth a black hole and a white hole 1 light year near the sun forms a triple gravitationaly chaotic system an for finish :two so great masses near the Oort cloud would créate a awesome shower of long period comets on the solar sistema that ptobably destroy the entire biosfera. I think this book in some way influenced the film Interestellar by Cristopher Nolan i rate this book four stars for his historicl value a becuse discus some ideas as the traveling bacwards in time paradoxes

[David Munch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read, recommended for people who likes physics, yet does know that this book is 50 years old.

It proposed an easy way of traveling through space, by exploitation of black holes. The author treats black holes as something you can just create in a few years and then use commercially. Quite hilarious if it was possible! :) Of course, physics has moved on since then, so it is very unlikely to happen.

He does take some serious liberties when discussing his theory, such as when dealing with economics, but hey, it is fiction!

[Alan Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure some of the science is long outdated, but still a clear and accessible bit of popular science that touches on the impossible weirdness of the universe.

[Derek French · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite since high school, best way I've found to travel the universe. Just harness a few black holes...

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book used in Texas while traveling. After recently watching the new blockbuster interstellar I decided to pick it up. Berry's book is one crazy theory, full of many smaller, more interesting facts. The entire point of the book is not exactly better than the sum of its parts. His theory, though outdated and reflects some major dreaming reminiscent of the golden age of science fiction, is fun to read about if not a little silly. The book so worth reading for much of the science involving black holes, Gravity, relativity, and Einstein's special theory. But I can't help but feel like there are obviously books about those specific subjects. "Fun" science read.

[Raywat Deonandan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real this 12 times when I was a teenager back in the 80s. It really fed my imagination. And while the science has moved on somewhat, The Iron Sun is totally worth reading again today. It is short, accessible, with a solid scientific foundation, and a wonderful fantastical premise.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first fell in love with the counterintuitive concepts of the relativistic universe with The Iron Sun: Crossing The Universe Through Black Holes by Adrian Berry, first published 1977, and I still enjoy classics of the literature. This is an imaginative and enlightening work.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book from a very large thinker.