Alpha & Omega: The Search for the Beginning and End of the Universe is the second non-fiction book by Charles Seife, published by Viking, a division of Penguin Putnam, in 2003.
Background
It is a survey of historic and contemporary efforts at cosmology: to describe the universe, trace the universe back to its origins, including the Big Bang Theory, and to determine the universe's eventual end-state. The books title refers to the Alpha and Omega appellation for Christ, as found in the Book of Revelation. A paperback reprint was published in 2004, also from Penguin.
"Supersymmetry: Fearlessly Framing the Laws of Matter"
"Seeing the Invisible: MACHOs, WIMPs, and Illuminating the Darkest Regions of the Universe"
"The Deepest Mystery in Physics: Λ, the Vacuum, and Inflation", Λ being the symbol for the Cosmological constant
"Wrinkles in Spacetime: Gravitational Waves and the Early Universe"
"Beyond the Third Revolution: Voyage to the Ends of Time"
"Appendix A: Tired Light Retired"
"Appendix B: Where Does Matter Come From?"
"Appendix C: Nobel Prizes in Physics—Past and Future" Seife predicts which scientists are likely to win a Nobel Prize for their work in cosmology.
"Appendix D: Some Experiments to Watch"
Glossary, Select Bibliography, Acknowledgements, Index
Reception
The New York Times praised the book, describing it as "A primer on the history and state of cosmology that is easy to read and understand… Seife's book shines."[1] The Los Angeles Times described it as "provid(ing) a wonderfully clear and concise introduction to terms often too loosely bandied about, and to their interrelationships in the ongoing attempt of physicists to erect a unified theory of the universe."[2]
