Gino Segre has kindly reviewed “A Fortunate Universe” for The Wall Street Journal, (Sat/Sun Dec 31, 2016 – Jan 1, 2017). It’s behind a paywall, unfortunately, but here are some highlights.
The astrophysicists Geraint Lewis and Luke Barnes open their charming, intelligent and exceeding well-written book by arguing that we live in “a fortunate universe”. … They then proceed to convincingly show why we should share their belief. This requires a gentle stroll through the details of the Standard Model of particle physics, as well as the Standard Model of cosmology, but they lead us with such a light hand, streak of humor and lack of pedantry that the information is easily absorbed. …
Where does science go from here? Does what has been popularly called a theory of everything exist? Is there a multiverse? Must we be satisfied with an anthropic principle? The authors discuss these questions and more in a final dialogue. As Mr. Barnes states in concluding it: “Irrespective of how many other dead and sterile universes are out there, in this one I have a pair of kids that need a bath.” Life goes on.
Also, Charlie Lineweaver has reviewed our book in The Conversation. Charlie gave the impression that “intelligent design” was the main thesis of the book. It’s a good time to remind everyone that Geraint is, in his own words, “no kind of god botherer”.
Luke,
Do me a favor. How does one say “Geraint”? I’m totally unfamiliar with this name.