Journey of the Universe

By: Brian Thomas Swimme, Mary Evelyn Tucker

Narrated by: Marc S. Cashman

Today we know what no previous generation knew: the history of the universe and of the unfolding of life on Earth. Through the astonishing combined achievements of natural scientists worldwide, we now have a detailed account of how galaxies and stars, planets and living organisms, human beings and human consciousness came to be. And yet...we thirst for answers to questions that have haunted humanity from the very beginning. What is our place in the 14-billion-year history of the universe? What roles do we play in Earth's history? How do we connect with the intricate web of life on Earth?

In Journey of the Universe Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker tell the epic story of the universe from an inspired new perspective, weaving the findings of modern science together with enduring wisdom found in the humanistic traditions of the West, China, India, and indigenous peoples. The authors explore cosmic evolution as a profoundly wondrous process based on creativity, connection, and interdependence, and they envision an unprecedented opportunity for the world's people to address the daunting ecological and social challenges of our times.

Journey of the Universe transforms how we understand our origins and envision our future. Though a little book, it tells a big story - one that inspires hope for a way in which Earth and its human civilizations could flourish together.

This book is part of a larger project that includes a documentary film, an educational DVD series, and a website. The film and the DVD series will be released in 2011. For more information, please consult the website, journeyoftheuniverse.org.

©2011 Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker (P)2012 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Journey of the Universe is a spiritual manifesto that becomes a Genesis for the 21st Century. Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker have given us not only an expanded creation story of the Cosmos but an expanded look into the evolution of our own consciousness. I cannot imagine a more urgent book to read as we enter this revolutionary moment on the planet." (Terry Tempest Williams, author of Finding Beauty in a Broken World)

"This story of the universe has the potential to change our civilization." (James Gustave Speth, author of Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment)

Wonderful Perspective

Would you listen to Journey of the Universe again? Why?

Maybe a few times a year. It's a beautiful prose on the perspective of time and our reponsibility as the dominant species... a much needed reminder.

What other book might you compare Journey of the Universe to and why?

This book is not thorough, it has several themes but none explored exhaustively. If you like to explore different ideas I would recommend coupling this book with Adam Franks "About Time" and/or Edward O. Wilson's "Biophilia". There are several books that can fill in the scientific blanks by: Fortey (Life), Southwood (Story of Life), or Bryson (Short History).

Any additional comments?

This isn't a radical conservation message nor do the authors defend or attack religious beliefs. This book is a beautiful reminder of our responsiblity to take care of an earth that has provided us life.

Great book

I've been captivated by The Universe Story for the past year and a half, reading and rereading it. This Journey of the Universe is equally good, and I'm very glad to have an audio version of it. The only downside is the narration. I could very well believe that the narration was computer synthesized...so monotonous and metronomic.

It challenges the common notions of creation

and presents a strong case for an understanding of evolution. Keep an open mind when listening.

lovely

poetic insight, guided by a firm understanding of the unfolding universal processes. Grattitude to such a brilliant work of art. Thank you Swimme and Tucker for taking your time to write the book♡

The real version of bible

This book is a must read for any human. This book gives a simplified summary of our amazing universe's history. Then, takes that history, and shows how humans emarged, from the universe, and are a a woven part, of that universe . It gives me some perspective to the eternal question of, "who am I"?

Worth you're time. Comprehensive all the way.

For everyone who wants to learn what is important to them! Great read. All ages

not what I was hoping fo not what I was hoping for

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is an overall, general story, that had no specific subject, except to try to bring out the wonder of the universe. It was what I would consider to be a 6th grade - LETS GET INTERESTED IN THE THINGS AROUND US - book. If you have a good grasp on the basics of science then you're probably beyond this book.

What could Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

They could have written to a slightly higher level and gone deeper into the subject

What aspect of Marc S. Cashman’s performance would you have changed?

The sentences tended to run into each other and the headings were not specified at all.

Did Journey of the Universe inspire you to do anything?

Yes, to do a little more research about science books before I buy a science book.

Incredible Story Horrible Narrator

Its a terrible shame that such a magnificent story - the miraculous unfolding of Earth- as written by the imaginative and knowledgable Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker, is delivered by a nasal monotone that actually hurts the ear. Why is this true about so many important and stunning audio books? Definitely read this book and reenchant your own precious short life by grounding it in awe amd praise for the stunning miraculous artistry of the Creations unfolding sentience and animacy. Truly we get to be part of something stunning unique and fall down on our knees praiseworthy and we are as a species missing the mark horrifically with the way we live on this beautiful living planet and that treats Earth as dead inert inferior matter. Read it - the narrator ruins the telling.

Golly, gee-whiz Batman, isn't the universe great?

I wish I'd loved it, but I found myself just wanting it to be over. It's a short book, but it should have been shorter still, or much longer. It felt like a long pep talk to convince the reader how wonderful the universe, galaxy, solar system, earth, life, and ultimately humans are. The authors make allusion to all the science behind each of these layers of creation, but don't expose the beauty and symmetry of it except through trite metaphor. It feels like they are so impressed with the artistry of their own prose, that they forget to say anything particularly new or interesting. Finally, the book ends up advocating (I think unintentionally) a very anthrocentric view of the universe. Apparently, all 13 billion years of creation have been leading up to the creation of human consciousness, and it is now our job to be stewards of all that is around us.

Bottom line: it's too long and redundant to be enjoyed as poetry, and, as poetry, it isn't that good. It also doesn't provide enough science to be of interest to the lay reader, seking a better understanding of our place in the cosmos.

The narration was done well, but couldn't make up for the lack of content. At least it was short

Narrator mismatch ruins book

If you want to experience Swimme's lyrical project to turn science into story, do not buy this audiobook! The one-tone, inexpressive narrator turns Swimme's dramatic story into a really dull science textbook. Such a waste. Listen to the movie instead. You'll be glad you did.