Coming as it does from a non-scientist author, this book includes a surprisingly informed and interesting take on fundamental physics (cum cosmology). Most other non-scientists, apparently, don't want to know "that we do not have free will; that the mind is merely a quality of the brain; that gods do not exist; that the only reality is material reality; that any knowledge that isn't scientific knowledge is not just worthless, it isn't knowledge at all." (p 4) How pathetic! At the very end, sad to say, he ventures some opinions that will annoy most scientists.

This book contains answers to questions that I didn’t know I wanted to ask! It’s written in a clear, concise and captivating manner – even someone like me who finds the sciences and mathematics totally bewildering managed to understand the basics. If ever anything got confusing the footnotes often helped to simplify things further. My mind boggled at all the fascinating information collected by Potter, and I admired the witty style he uses to get his explanations across. I was also intrigued by all the author and book references and the way Potter linked them to his factual topics. I found myself humbled to learn about the discoveries made over the years by scientists, mathematicians and authors. To have been at the forefront of these amazing discoveries must have been truly awesome. This is an absorbing book that had me reading snippets out to anyone in earshot and one that I know I will be dipping into again and again. I’d recommend this to anyone with an inquisitive mind and think it will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. I’d say it would probably be suitable for readers from early teens and upwards and can see it becoming a ‘must have’ book. ( )