Megacatastrophes!: Nine Strange Ways the World Could End

by David Darling, Dirk Schulze-Makuch

Overview

Acerbic dark humour meets hardcore science in this mind-boggling exploration of the nine worst ways the world could end

Discover the mind-boggling science of the coming apocalypse!

'Curiously pleasurable… this will help you get your everyday problems into perspective.' Independent

Which will get us first? The supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park? An asteroid hurtling through outer space? Black holes from CERN gobbling up the solar system? An army of deranged, super-intelligent AI? Or – who knows – alien invasion?

Armed with lavish illustrations and their one-of-a-kind 'Catastrophometer', Dr David Darling and Dr Dirk Schulze-Makuch introduce the disasters you never saw coming, unpicking the science that makes them genuine possibilities, and providing everything from survival tips to danger ratings. So sit back, face the inevitable, and discover the delights of the nine oddest ways the world could end.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780740270
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	04/01/2012
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr David Darling is an astronomer, freelance science writer, and creator of one of the most popular online encyclopedias of space and astrobiology. He is the author of the bestselling Equations of Eternity. Dr Dirk Schulze-Makuch is Professor in Astrobiology at Washington State University. His research has been widely published in media ranging from academic journals to The New Scientist. Together they are the authors of the critically-acclaimed We Are Not Alone.
David Darling is a science writer, astronomer and music producer. He is the author of nearly fifty books, including the bestselling Equations of Eternity. He lives in Dundee, Scotland.

Together with Agnijo Banerjee, he is the co-author of the Weird Maths trilogy, and The Biggest Number in the World.
Dr Dirk Schulze-Makuch is currently an Associate Professor in Astrobiology at Washington State University. His research has been widely published in media ranging from academic journals to The New Scientist.

Editorial Reviews

"Accessible and entertaining… Brings often complex and abstract threats frighteningly to life."

Financial Times

"A surprisingly cheerful look at the science of how humanity might meet a messy end, from incurable diseases to exploding stars. Who says reading about the end of the world needs to be grim?"

Chad Orzel

"Splendid! Stimulating, entertaining, and scientifically plausible."

Adam Hart-Davis

"A mix of good old-fashioned silliness and some fine science writing. Next time someone tells you, "Cheer up, it might never happen," throw this book at them."

BBC Focus

Fascinating, if sometimes macabre ... A fabulous book that got better with every page - I couldn't put it down!

Debra Fischer - Professor of Astronomy at Yale University

"Impressive… Reminds us that the air of reassuring omnipotence that our leaders like to project is mere illusion."

The Wall Street Journal

"The entertaining selection of end-of-the world scenarios is the perfect excuse to learn about science, from the atomic to the galactic and from the terrestrial to the extra-terrestrial. Specially recommended for those who think that the end of humankind cannot cheer you up."

Alfonso Davila - Senior Scientist at the SETI Institute and Principal Investigator at the Carl Sagan

"Surprisingly good fun. Editor's Pick."

The Bookseller

"Nicely written, thoroughly researched, highly recommended. Doomsday is already marked in the calendar."

Alberto Fairen - Research Scientist at the SETI Institute

"Curiously pleasurable... this will help you get your everyday problems into perspective."

The Independent

"Accessible and entertaining… Brings often complex and abstract threats frighteningly to life."

Financial Times

"Who needs vampires and zombies for excitement? Delightful ... an authoritative but good-humored look at an array of natural and technological disasters."
—Albert A. Harrison, Professor Emeritus Psychology, University of California, Davis, and author of Starstruck: Cosmic Visions in Science, Religion and Folklore

"Fascinating, if sometimes macabre ... A fabulous book that got better with every page - I couldn't put it down!"
—Debra Fischer, Professor of Astronomy at Yale University

"Nicely written, thoroughly researched, highly recommended. Doomsday is already marked in the calendar."
—Alberto Fairen, Alberto Fairen

"A surprisingly cheerful look at the science of how humanity might meet a messy end, from incurable diseases to exploding stars. Who says reading about the end of the world needs to be grim?"
—Chad Orzel, author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog

"The entertaining selection of end-of-the world scenarios is the perfect excuse to learn about science, from the atomic to the galactic and from the terrestrial to the extra-terrestrial.Specially recommended for those who think that the end of humankind cannot cheer you up."
—Alfonso Davila, Senior Scientist at the SETI Institute and Principal Investigator at the Carl Sagan Institute

"A mix of good old-fashioned silliness and some fine science writing. Next time someone tells you, 'Cheer up, it might never happen,' throw this book at them."
—BBC Focus Magazine

From the Publisher