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Start giftingThe Shortest History of Our Universe
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Learn moreA complete history of the universe, spanning 13.8 billion years in an ultra-accessible, uncommonly illuminating, exhilarating chronicle of key events
In this thrilling history, David Baker captures the longest-possible time span—from the Big Bang to the present day—in an astonishingly concise retelling. His impressive timeline includes the "rise of complexity" in the cosmos and the creation of the first atoms; the origin of all galaxies, stars, and our solar system; and the evolution of life on Earth, from tiny single-celled organisms to human beings.
Weaving together insights across the sciences—including chemistry, physics, biology, archaeology, and anthropology—Baker answers the fundamental questions: How did time begin? Why does matter exist? What made life on Earth the way it is? He also argues that never before has life on Earth been forced to adjust to a changing climate so rapidly, nor has one species ever been responsible for such sudden change. Baker's grand view offers the clearest picture of what may come next—and the role we can still play in our planet's fate.
David Baker is a history and science writer who holds the world's first PhD in Big History (the field that considers the entire history of the universe). He is an award-winning lecturer who wrote the YouTube series Crash Course Big History, hosted by John Green and his brother Hank Green. He lives in Sydney, Australia.
Keval Shah started his voice acting journey in the remote plains of East Africa before moving to the UK. A professionally trained actor with a facility for accents, Keval uses his Indian/British/Ugandan cultural mix to bring diverse performances to his projects.