Lake Views: This World and the Universe

by Steven Weinberg

Overview

Just as Henry David Thoreau “traveled a great deal in Concord,” Nobel Prize–winning physicist Steven Weinberg sees much of the world from the window of his study overlooking Lake Austin. In Lake Views Weinberg, considered by many to be the preeminent theoretical physicist alive today, continues the wide-ranging reflections that have also earned him a reputation as, in the words of New York Times reporter James Glanz, “a powerful writer of prose that can illuminate—and sting.”

This collection presents Weinberg’s views on topics ranging from problems of cosmology to assorted world issues—military, political, and religious. Even as he moves beyond the bounds of science, each essay reflects his experience as a theoretical physicist. And as in the celebrated Facing Up, the essays express a viewpoint that is rationalist, reductionist, realist, and secular. A new introduction precedes each essay, explaining how it came to be written and bringing it up to date where necessary.

As an essayist, Weinberg insists on seeing things as they are, without despair and with good humor. Sure to provoke his readers—postmodern cultural critics, enthusiasts for manned space flight or missile defense, economic conservatives, sociologists of science, anti-Zionists, and religious zealots—this book nonetheless offers the pleasure of a sustained encounter with one of the most interesting scientific minds of our time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674062306
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	11/30/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory unifying two forces of nature, laying the foundation for the Standard Model of subatomic physics. His other awards included the National Medal of Science and eighteen honorary degrees. Among Weinberg’s books are the classic The First Three Minutes and To Explain the World. He was a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books and taught at the University of Texas.

What People are Saying About This

Steven Weinberg is one of the most highly accomplished and respected scientists in the world. But even among this elite group he holds a unique position as a scientist-scholar and a writer of unparalleled clarity. He has become a role model for the rest of us who attempt to communicate to the broader public. As this second collection of fascinating essays makes manifest, no one writing on matters of science or of science and society has more wisdom to impart, nor can they impart it better than Weinberg. Scientists and lay people alike will find this remarkable collection both thought provoking and thoroughly engaging.

Richard Dawkins

It would be putting it mildly to say that Weinberg triumphantly lives up to what it says on the Nobel tin: a true intellectual as well as a brilliant theoretical physicist.

Ken Ford

An excellent collection from an extraordinary physicist. Weinberg is a deep thinker and a graceful writer.
— Ken Ford, author of The Quantum World: Quantum Physics for Everyone

Lawrence M. Krauss

Steven Weinberg is one of the most highly accomplished and respected scientists in the world. But even among this elite group he holds a unique position as a scientist-scholar and a writer of unparalleled clarity. He has become a role model for the rest of us who attempt to communicate to the broader public. As this second collection of fascinating essays makes manifest, no one writing on matters of science or of science and society has more wisdom to impart, nor can they impart it better than Weinberg. Scientists and lay people alike will find this remarkable collection both thought provoking and thoroughly engaging.
— Lawrence M. Krauss, Foundation Professor and Director of the Origins Initiative at Arizona State University, and the author of The Physics of Star Trek, and most recently, Hiding in the Mirror, the Mysterious Allure of Extra Dimensions.

John S. Rigden

This is a great collection of essays. Steven Weinberg is one of the greatest contemporary physicists. He is also a scholar in a broad sense, a good scholar. Add to this, he writes well.
— John S. Rigden, author of Einstein 1905

Editorial Reviews

Steven Weinberg is famous as a scientist, but he thinks deeply and writes elegantly about many other things besides science. This collection of his writings is concerned with history, politics, and science in roughly equal measure.

New York Review of Books - Freeman Dyson

Of all top-class theoretical physicists no one, apart from Freeman Dyson, writes with the same combination of authority and grace...The overwhelming impression one has when reading Weinberg is that we are seeing the world through the eyes of someone who not only loves physics but regards the physicist's way of looking at the world as uniquely valuable...All physicists will take pleasure from this book. Many others will enjoy it, too...Dawkins' admirers [should] read Weinberg if they are in the least bit curious about modern physics and how a great physicist thinks about science policy. Lake Views is an excellent place to start.

Times Higher Education - Graham Farmelo

Steven Weinberg has become a role model for the rest of us who attempt to communicate to the broader public. No one writing on matters of science or of science and society has more wisdom to impart, nor can they impart it better than Weinberg. Scientists and lay people alike will find this remarkable collection both thought provoking and thoroughly engaging.

Lawrence M. Krauss

Many of the themes in Weinberg's work remain timeless. He is in his element at the interface between science and philosophy, such as musing what will happen when science reaches a "final theory" that explains all knowable phenomena. The answer? Well, it involves an extended riff including both nuclear-particle decay and Shakespeare, but Weinberg brilliantly illuminates why he thinks humanity can still find purpose in studying the universe through scientific methods...Weinberg can, within several eloquent pages, distill the essence of why science is important...Unlike nearly any writer living today, Weinberg interpolates science, philosophy and history into a rich and meaningful tapestry of our world.

Dallas Morning News - Alexandra Witze

This is a great collection of essays. Steven Weinberg is one of the greatest contemporary physicists. He is also a scholar in a broad sense, a good scholar. Add to this, he writes well.

John S. Rigden

An excellent collection from an extraordinary physicist. Weinberg is a deep thinker and a graceful writer.

Ken Ford

This collection of essays proves once again that Weinberg is more than just a top—tier physicist. He is also one of the few scientists brave enough—and knowledgeable enough—to successfully take on the role of public intellectual...It's essential reading.

New Scientist - Dan Falk

It would be putting it mildly to say that Weinberg triumphantly lives up to what it says on the Nobel tin: a true intellectual as well as a brilliant theoretical physicist.

Richard Dawkins

Many of the themes in Weinberg's work remain timeless. He is in his element at the interface between science and philosophy, such as musing what will happen when science reaches a "final theory" that explains all knowable phenomena. The answer? Well, it involves an extended riff including both nuclear-particle decay and Shakespeare, but Weinberg brilliantly illuminates why he thinks humanity can still find purpose in studying the universe through scientific methods...Weinberg can, within several eloquent pages, distill the essence of why science is important...Unlike nearly any writer living today, Weinberg interpolates science, philosophy and history into a rich and meaningful tapestry of our world.--Alexandra Witze "Dallas Morning News" (1/17/2010 12:00:00 AM)

Of all top-class theoretical physicists no one, apart from Freeman Dyson, writes with the same combination of authority and grace...The overwhelming impression one has when reading Weinberg is that we are seeing the world through the eyes of someone who not only loves physics but regards the physicist's way of looking at the world as uniquely valuable...All physicists will take pleasure from this book. Many others will enjoy it, too...Dawkins' admirers [should] read Weinberg if they are in the least bit curious about modern physics and how a great physicist thinks about science policy. Lake Views is an excellent place to start.--Graham Farmelo "Times Higher Education" (1/28/2010 12:00:00 AM)

Steven Weinberg is famous as a scientist, but he thinks deeply and writes elegantly about many other things besides science. This collection of his writings is concerned with history, politics, and science in roughly equal measure.--Freeman Dyson "New York Review of Books" (6/10/2010 12:00:00 AM)

This collection of essays proves once again that Weinberg is more than just a top--tier physicist. He is also one of the few scientists brave enough--and knowledgeable enough--to successfully take on the role of public intellectual...It's essential reading.--Dan Falk "New Scientist" (2/6/2010 12:00:00 AM)

Weinberg fans will find nuggets of insight and wisdom.-- "Publishers Weekly" (11/2/2009 12:00:00 AM)

An excellent collection from an extraordinary physicist. Weinberg is a deep thinker and a graceful writer.--Ken Ford, author of The Quantum World: Quantum Physics for Everyone

Steven Weinberg has become a role model for the rest of us who attempt to communicate to the broader public. No one writing on matters of science or of science and society has more wisdom to impart, nor can they impart it better than Weinberg. Scientists and lay people alike will find this remarkable collection both thought provoking and thoroughly engaging.--Lawrence M. Krauss, Foundation Professor and Director of the Origins Initiative at Arizona State University, and the author of The Physics of Star Trek, and most recently, Hiding in the Mirror, the Mysterious Allure of Extra Dimensions.

Steven Weinberg is one of the most highly accomplished and respected scientists in the world. But even among this elite group he holds a unique position as a scientist-scholar and a writer of unparalleled clarity. He has become a role model for the rest of us who attempt to communicate to the broader public. As this second collection of fascinating essays makes manifest, no one writing on matters of science or of science and society has more wisdom to impart, nor can they impart it better than Weinberg. Scientists and lay people alike will find this remarkable collection both thought provoking and thoroughly engaging.--Lawrence M. Krauss, Foundation Professor and Director of the Origins Initiative at Arizona State University, and the author of The Physics of Star Trek, and most recently, Hiding in the Mirror, the Mysterious Allure of Extra Dimensions.

This is a great collection of essays. Steven Weinberg is one of the greatest contemporary physicists. He is also a scholar in a broad sense, a good scholar. Add to this, he writes well.--John S. Rigden, author of Einstein 1905

It would be putting it mildly to say that Weinberg triumphantly lives up to what it says on the Nobel tin: a true intellectual as well as a brilliant theoretical physicist.--Richard Dawkins

From the Publisher

Steven Weinberg is famous as a scientist, but he thinks deeply and writes elegantly about many other things besides science. This collection of his writings is concerned with history, politics, and science in roughly equal measure.
— Freeman Dyson

New York Review of Books

This collection of essays proves once again that Weinberg is more than just a top—tier physicist. He is also one of the few scientists brave enough—and knowledgeable enough—to successfully take on the role of public intellectual...It's essential reading.
— Dan Falk

New Scientist

Of all top-class theoretical physicists no one, apart from Freeman Dyson, writes with the same combination of authority and grace...The overwhelming impression one has when reading Weinberg is that we are seeing the world through the eyes of someone who not only loves physics but regards the physicist's way of looking at the world as uniquely valuable...All physicists will take pleasure from this book. Many others will enjoy it, too...Dawkins' admirers [should] read Weinberg if they are in the least bit curious about modern physics and how a great physicist thinks about science policy. Lake Views is an excellent place to start.
— Graham Farmelo

Times Higher Education

Many of the themes in Weinberg's work remain timeless. He is in his element at the interface between science and philosophy, such as musing what will happen when science reaches a "final theory" that explains all knowable phenomena. The answer? Well, it involves an extended riff including both nuclear-particle decay and Shakespeare, but Weinberg brilliantly illuminates why he thinks humanity can still find purpose in studying the universe through scientific methods...Weinberg can, within several eloquent pages, distill the essence of why science is important...Unlike nearly any writer living today, Weinberg interpolates science, philosophy and history into a rich and meaningful tapestry of our world.
— Alexandra Witze

Dallas Morning News

Weinberg, a co-recipient of the 1979 Nobel Prize for physics, is well known for his articulate essays on many subjects. In this collection, he aims his laser gaze primarily on three areas: science, Israel and religion. Weinberg has been on the realist side of the science wars (asserting that science explains, rather than merely describes, the world), and he revisits that battlefield here. He also ventures into science and politics, expressing skepticism about the need for a missile defense system. Elsewhere he argues against manned exploration of space, saying that probes and robots will always be faster, better, cheaper and certainly safer. Weinberg, long known for his support of Israel, comes out with guns blazing against British academics who organized a short-term boycott of Israeli academic institutions. In the last essay, “Without God,” Weinberg expresses his atheism without the shrillness of a Dawkins or a Hitchens. These essays started out as dinner speeches, book reviews (some from the New York Review of Books) and other occasional pieces that feel slight (such as a pep talk to postdocs). Nevertheless, Weinberg fans will find nuggets of insight and wisdom. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly