Cosmos Books

Recipient of:
National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
Family Review Center Gold Award

Cosmos is sad and confused because his parents fight all the time. When they tell Cosmos they are divorcing, he asks if it is something he did. "We're divorcing each other, we're not divorcing you," they reassure him.

Cosmos feels sad and doesn't know how to tell his friends. He is surprised to find that lots of the other kids have moms and dads who are divorced, too. He finds that it is comforting for him to talk to a teacher, a relative, or a friend. The most important thing is to talk to someone he can trust, to share his true feelings.

Cosmos' mom moves to a new apartment. He visits her every weekend; he spends weekdays with his dad. He sees that his parents are happier now and they seem to spend more quality time with him. Sometimes they still don't get along, but they always reassure Cosmos that they love him, very much. In the end he understands that his parents will always be his parents, and they will always love him, forever and ever!

The last page of this self-help book lists ten important things a child should remember if their parents are divorcing. Always remember it is not your fault that mom and dad are getting divorced. Your mom and dad will always love you. All feelings are okay to have. Talk to someone you trust about your feelings

Written by renowned child psychologist, Annie Thiel, Ph.D, this book is an extremely useful tools that can help children understand their emotions and feel safe. Half of all American children will witness the breakup of a parent's marriage. This is a must-have book for parents and children who are facing a divorce.

When parents get divorced the children will often feel that they are to blame, in addition to being scared, angry, and sad. Help for the youngest children can be found in "Cosmos' Mom and Dad Are Moving Apart," by Annie Thiel, Ph.D. Geared for children ages 3-6, this book addresses every concern a young child might have.

Cosmos' parents don't get along anymore and are always arguing and sad. Cosmos is sad too. When his parents tell him that they are getting divorced he goes through the natural emotions and asks the important question, "Was it something I did?" Reassured that it wasn't, Cosmos begins to tell his friends at school, who also react in a natural way. Through the process, Cosmos learns some things about his parents, his friends and himself. Keeping his room clean in both homes is still going to be a parental concern, and spending time with both of his parents is still going to create a loving environment.

Dr. Annie Thiel knows how to address these issues, and so many more. Having over 30 years of experience as a child psychologist gives her the best possible role requirements to play as an author of this and other titles that will be of high family value. The story is simply written to directly answer the concerns of children in this age group. Straight forward and to the point, but friendly and engaging, children will relate to every word. The illustrations are bright and colorful and full of life, lending to an atmosphere of interest and potential personal growth for readers. I look forward to Dr. Thiel's other titles, which involve a new baby brother, moving, and a parent having to go to the hospital. It's about time that the youngest children's needs are addressed in such a loving and caring way. I highly recommend this title to family therapists, divorcing parents, and teachers everywhere.
Review by Heather Froeschl.

Going through a divorce is hard on the whole family... but imagine being a young child wondering why mom and dad don't love each other anymore. Is it your fault? Can you make it better? Do they love you? All these questions can be answered if you buy this book for your little one. It is a must-have book for any child dealing with a divorce.

I've read a lot of science and spirituality books and I was sceptical of this one at first. He does get a little esoteric a times, but overall this book was well worth the time to read. It makes excellent sense. Not deeply scientific, but does integrate many ideas and makes some clear points. Well done overall. I'd recommend it to people who are looking for some good evidence and foundation to believe in united, holistic view of the universe from a spiritual and philosophical viewpoint.

Ervin Laszlo has a really full and up to deate knowledge of science in areas like quantum mechanics, relativty and complexity and creates an integral vision of life that weaves everything together into a coherent ointerlinked pattern of life extending from the smallest sub atomic particles to living creatures to human consciousnesss to the largest galaxies. It helps make sense of all the different aspects of life that seem separate, but are all linked. It is not a technical read, but great for someone with a reasonable laymans knowledge of science

Ervin Laszlo is an interesting individual: a musical prodigy, a former professor of philosophy, systems theorist and futurist, his work has taken him to the cutting edge of science and consciousness for decades.

In this book he argues quite correctly that one of the downsides of the mechanistic world view that has dominated scientific thought for three centuries, has been to remove any consideration of meaning or purpose from an essentially sterile account of the universe. Yet purpose and meaning are key factors in all our lives. Laszlo reviews and expands on his previous work in which he has pointed out the essential inter-connectedness of all aspects of the universe.

This is not simply some romantic notion, or the kind of over usage of analogy that hampered some of the earlier attempts to reconcile scientific and mystical insights, but a more pragmatic view that should have important implications for how we see ourselves and the universe in which we live. And it is profoundly important that we should change some of the ways in which we view the world. Much of the chaos and social dislocation that we observe daily, is not something that is "just happening," but is a result of our own lack of coherence and vision.

Highly recommended.

"The universe is not a world of separate things and events, of external spectators and an impersonal spectacle. It is an integral whole." So states scientist and philosopher Ervin Laszlo in the introduction to his latest book, Science and the Reenchantment of the Cosmos. This fascinating book traces the latest scientific experiments and discoveries that point to a universal medium that connects the whole cosmos, creates visible matter from itself and retains the record of all that transpires in this universe. Moreover, consciousness is revealed as the force responsible for this creation. Laszlo names this medium the Akashic Field after the concept intuited thousands of years ago by Hindu mystics and called the Akashic record. By weaving many strands of inspired thought into a new vision of an enchanted cosmos, Dr. Laszlo reveals a universe at odds with the mechanistic model presented by science in the past; a universe truly alive with consciousness. This is a cosmos we can call home.

The author goes on to tackle the implications of this new view of the cosmos for the big philosophical questions such as good and evil, and immortality. New concepts of physical reality and spirituality emerge that bring scientific theory and mystic intuition closer than ever. But this is only the first half of the book. In the second half of the book, Dr. Laszlo has invited some of the greatest minds of our time to comment on the implication of his theories within their field of expertise. We are treated to wonderful essays by psychologist Stanley Krippner, evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, professor of philosophy and consciousness studies Christian de Quincey, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, stress management coach Peter Russell, Sufism expert H. Johannes Witteveen, Yoga master Swami Kriyananda, personal empowerment activist Irene Van Lippe-Biesterfeld, spiritual writings translator and editor Ewert Cousins, mathematician Ralph H. Abraham, and biologist Jane Goodall. Each of these authors brings their own special gift and viewpoint to the subject of Laszlo's work giving the book a thorough exploration and an unusual depth.

This book not only opens a whole new world but a whole new library of wonderful scientific and philosophical resources. Once readers have experienced this book they will no doubt want Ervin Laszlo's other writings and those of the essayists as well.

Beautifully done by a world class imager. During any season of the year the deep sky offers wonderous objects of beauty and wonder. Dr. Rob Gendler has captured the beauty of galaxies and nebula in a spectacular display of color and accompanies each image with useful descriptions.

This book, by Robert Gendler, one of the best known and most prolific amateur astrophotographers, is assembled mainly from his own images and incorporates some by other astrophotographers. It is a milestone in amateur astronomy. Many of us didn't know we were waiting for such a book, but when it appeared, I ordered it without hesitation. I'm not disappointed. Among other places, Gendler's images have appeared in Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and on the Astronomy Picture of the Day web site. It's great to have them in book form both to enjoy personally as well as to share with those who are interested in the visible universe. [....]

When you look at such a spectacular set of photographs you have to be struck by the beauty of our universe. As the author says in the Preface, this book showcases the sky's most beautiful objects. Arranged in a way that the casual reader will enjoy. This is an assembledge of significant images of objects visible from from the Eat throughout the year. Many, perhaps even most of the images are from observations taken of items within the Milky Way. But there are also brilliant images of our local galaxy group and some more of galaxies and galaxy groups from much further away.

No less than the photographs are the explanations. While brief, here are matter of fact comments about our local group. There in a description of galaxy NGC 3079 (60 million light years away) there is a pair of dots labeled Q0957+562, a gravitationally lensed quasar ever discovered - 9.1 BILLION light years away.

I've taken a lot of pictures, but nothing like these. Dr. Gendler but in a different class than most of us, including a 20 inch telescope installed at an inky-dark, high-altitude site in New Mexico, and controlled over the Internet. But that's just the equipment. To go with it is a lifetime of skill.

This book is an absolutely delightful read for any amateur astronomer, or want to be.

After I received this book, I downloaded quite a few of the author's images from [...] and had them framed for my home. I can't imagine anything as beautiful as our universe! Rob Gendler's incredible efforts are bringing an awesome appreciation of the universe to our planet. I'm ordering 6 now, and probably a lot more, as holiday gifts.

SEGMD

Fundamental to understanding... Everything. Dr Swimm uses very effective & evocative metaphors to help the listener envision & understand the origins of everything. The Primal fireball of universal creation comes alive & is now illuminated with a light that makes all previous understandings seem dim by contrast. A must for any mystic who seeks a more physics-founded approach, or any scientist who desires to peek into the numinous sentience of the universe itself.

Canticle to the Cosmos was originally a VHS tape set. I own a newer version of it on DVD and I enjoy it very much. However, I also own the audio tape set and I recommend it highly because it captures the passion of this man and lays out a vision of the cosmos that honors mystery, wonder, the improbability of it all and most important the hidden heart that seem to be behind it. This is not something that can be measured with instruments, but it can be felt into and intuited. Although Brian has written a good book, THE HIDDEN HEART OF THE COSMOS, it doesn't capture his presence in the way the audio tapes too. While I enjoy my videos they basically amount to taped lectures. You aren't missing much by saving money and getting just the audio tapes. If you want to know more about Brian Swimme I suggest visiting his website and reading my reveiw of the book referenced above. These tapes cover a lot of the same information except in much greater detail.

Brian Swimme takes you on a cosmic journey into the universe, and then, he reminds us that we are that universe. He expands our view of the world and the world within us until the two become one resonating as bliss expressed in every word. -- Samuel Oliver, author of, WHAT THE DYING TEACH US: LESSONS ON LIVING.

Our First Grade classes visit the Youth Room of our local library at the start of each school year. We end our tour with this story, which we read in the library's Spaceship, the story time area. It is the perfect book in a perfect setting.

I never get tired of reading the story. The relationship between Cosmo and the moon is very touching.

This is an excellent book, it teaches children a little about the moon and a lot about kindness and friendship. The pictures are lovely, my 2 girls (ages 5 &6) really love Cosmo's Moon.

This book received a 2004 nomination for the prestigious Newbury Medal awarded annually to the top children's picture book. The glowing colors and happy moon face delight preschool children as well as anyone who loves colorful artwork. The artists did a wonderful job on this.

This book is of critical importance for understanding the limitations of Modern Science. It is very readable and an excellent introduction to the subject. I recommend it whole-heartedly

Review of Wolfgang Smith, _Cosmos and Transcendence_

This is a critique of scientism, which might be defined as the belief that only the investigational methods used in the natural sciences can lead to genuine knowledge. The author approaches the topic ultimately from the standpoint of classical Christianity, although it stands alone as a critique of contemporary metaphysical assumptions.

Only the first three chapters are about scientistic metaphysics properly speaking and I will only discuss those. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 deal with the influences of Darwin, Freud and Jung respectively. The final Chapter 7 is a summing up and a critique of the secular concept of progress.

Chapter 1. Although there is only one universe, which we apprehend by means of our mental concepts or ideas, the modern world is in the grip of a Cartesian-Newtonian bifurcation (Whitehead's term) between primary qualities (susceptible to measurement and calculation - extension and number) and secondary qualities (all else). The bifurcation survived even Kant; eventually the primary qualities came to be seen as "the physical universe" - reality itself. (In order to understand Smith's claim that even after Kant the basis of the bifurcation remained, we have to say something like this: the basis of the bifurcation is the idea that we perceive our concepts, and that this perception is the starting point in examining the universe: epistemology precedes ontology.)

Chapter 2. This chapter traces in detail the development of the above-mentioned bifurcation. A revival of platonic scholarship in the 15th century (Marcilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola) led to a new interest in number and harmony. Copernicus (16th century) came under the influence of this school. Kepler (16th-17th centuries) was still looking for harmonies. Galileo developed a new non-platonic track: terrestrial mechanism. From the 14th century on there had been an obsession with clockwork. Mechanism was transferred from the earth to the heavens: the clockwork universe dovetailed nicely with mathematical calculation.

According to Smith, it was Galileo who first broached the bifurcation (p 28; no reference is given), but it was Descartes who articulated it by distinguishing between res extensa and res cogitans. What was tractable by calculation and measurement was deemed scientifically tractable and became the objective world. The method created its own subject matter, res extensa. This legacy was taken over by Newton and transmitted to the scientific world. British thinkers eventually rejected the reality of res cogitans as part of the universe of science.

The problems generated by the new way of thinking were seen already by Descartes, and taken up by a number of important philosophers including Husserl and Whitehead. Meanwhile the 19th-century concept of a mechanical universe has been replaced by relativity and quantum physics. There is an excellent quote from Whitehead on how we now have (as least in the popular mind) a Newtonian metaphysics combined with 20th-century physics - "a complete muddle." (p. 36)

What we have more recently is a more humble use of "models" and a certain pragmatism. But, says Smith, "science" still makes "vast claims." E.g., cosmology. And these still rest on the old Newtonian foundations. Why? Because we still have the old "physical universe" (at least in the popular lay mind and in the popular scientific mind).

Chapter 3. This chapter deals with important positive aspects of the Medieval European worldview that have been lost. Somehow, Christians like Descartes and Newton arrived at a totally transcendent God, cutting themselves off from theology. Since a totally transcendent God could have little to do with the world of men at all, let alone their scientific researches, even that concept of deity eventually gave way. This was nothing new; see p. 45 for great quote from Plotinus - 3rd century.

Modern materialists have lost the concept of unity in multiplicity, which, ironically, it is the goal of science to discover.

The material universe, or cosmos, is, like anything else, defined in part by what it excludes. This boundedness involves three fundamental ideas: (i) a principle of determination, or that which imposes bounds - God; (ii) a potential recipient of bounds, or that which is subject to limitations - materia prima; and (iii) the bound itself, that which is imposed and received - form. This scheme is based on the analogy of geometry, and is found in the major metaphysical traditions of mankind.

Existing geometric constructions presuppose ideal geometric constructions. All metaphysical traditions have "affirmed a transcendent metaphysical reality that reflects itself in created forms." (p. 57) It is important to see that this doctrine "is necessarily analogical." One does not seek the ideal forms; one seeks the realities behind them. This is represented in Christianity by the Divine Word.

"The temporal moment constitutes a universal cosmic bound." (p. 61) In the Newtonian worldview time consists of moments and space consists of points. Relativity theory provides a partial antidote to these mistaken metaphysical views. (Smith has a separate book on QM, _The Quantum Enigma_.) Eternity is the "now" that stands still, not "endless duration." "The world moves, while the `now' stands still." (p. 64) It can be found at the center of our being. Christianity, with its central abstract theme that the smallest is the greatest, reflects this reality in manifold ways.

I like the book very much. After reading it one might well start on Edwin Arthur Burtt's classic, _The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science_ (rev. ed., 1952).

Ken Miner

First he analyzes what happened that caused the quagmire of post-modernist thinking. Rene Descartes took some time away from the noise of his life and spent some time on retreat to figure out the "mystery" of existence. After many hours of hard thinking, and much wasted ink, he came to what he considered the only verifiably true idea about the experience of existence: the only true thing is that Rene Descartes uses his mind to think; nothing outside Descartes' mind can be proved to exist. This is known academically as the "bifurcation postulate." This is the great Cartesian Division of perception, a complete departure from the glorious wisdom of the Great Philosopher Aristotle who's first assumption about existence was that the physical sense faculties of the human being (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) receive ACCURATE data about the world outside the mind. And the human ability to reason about the relationships of what he senses is certain.

Wolfgang Smith, with awesome clarity, shows how the departure from classical philosophical reasoning, begun by Rene Descartes, has resulted in a general disastrous collapse of valid reasoning itself! With delightfully cool intellectual accuracy, he knocks down such false notions that evolutionary theory is based upon valid scientific reasoning, that Freud's psychoanalytcal theory is a valid way of explaining the true composition of the human being, and that science itself, as a way of completely understanding physical reality, has utterly failed to come up with anything that actually explains EVERYTHING we experience.

I cannot be denied that the popular thinking of our contemporary culture is founded upon ideas purported to be scientific, and thus, we are told to believe, "unquestionably true." In this pivotal work, Wolfgang Smith exposes post-modern scientific thought for what it really is: a tyrannical metaphysical assumption about reality that has enabled men to finally, if they wish, completely disregard the primordial religious tendancy of their ancestors, and compell those who still hang on to such "immature" tendancies to either conform, or suffer being labeled "children" among "enlightened adults." Ah but remember the words of a man named Jesus Christ, "God has revealed to little children what he has kept hidden from the learned."

Eric Chaisson's Epic of Evolution: Seven Ages of the Cosmos is an exhilerating journey from the Sigularity to the sentience of our own species. In clear and compelling prose, he illuminates and integrates scientific frontiers to give the intelligent lay reader a deeper understanding of the origin and evolution of all things. Chaisson's symphony in seven movements carries us along the arrow of time from the triumph of matter over radiation through the formation of forty billion galaxies, the birth of billions of stars and the forging of heavy elements in the supernova death agony of great ones, through the creation of our own solar system and home planet to the evolution of chemical complexity on its cooling crust, and at last, at least on earth, the origin of life and its passages to consciousness, intelligence, technology and science. Those who embrace this extraordinary book will look with new understanding and wonder at the light in the darkness above and feel, perhaps, with deeper humanity a light ebbing the darkness within.

This book is an updated look, using the most recent theories of the history of the Cosmos. It takes about half the book to get to the formation of the earth, made out of heavier elements that were cooked in the atmospheres of stars, and to the point where chemistry could begin. After that he looks at the evidence of the smallest and earliest ancient cells left in the fossil record.

After the transition has been made to where life exists he describes the growth from the very beginnings to the changes that have made mankind.

Through the whole book he describes and illustrates the basic scientific method where a theory is established, it is tested by experinent and observation and finally modified as needed to meet the changed data. To be valid, the theory must also predict unknown things. As you examine the theory, you move along to get to the next step, and if evidence is found to support the prediction the theory is considered better and better. This description alone sets this book apart from many others.

As best we can possibly tell, this is how we and everything else came about.

If the sciences haven't been natural for you, if you can appreciate but not calculate complex math, Prof. Chaisson gives the story of the universe. The marvels of physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, biology and anthropology are told here without dumbing it down. You get a sense of the humility and thorough observation that show Chaisson to be a great scientist. His clarity and tight narrative show he's a great writer.

The extraordinary scales of distance and time are almost disorienting as he skillfully relates them. Throughout, he gives the wondrous sense of how chance has always been a part of the story.

I am fascinated by his explanation of the working of thermodynamics: how flows of energy are structured and systemized to achieve ever greater energy densities in ordered complexity. He shows how these principles relate to the creativity and power of all phenomena, from stars to ideas.

While Chaisson provides access to scientific insights into all levels of reality, he leaves us with a profoundly humanistic care for the destiny of life, especially how human culture may influence reality, offering the hope for an "Ethical Epoch."

This book is an updated version of the author's 1981 book Cosmic Dawn. Chaisson uses considerable poetic license in projecting emotions on inanimate objects such as stars and planets as well as on scientists. This is one of the rare academic science books that is difficult to put down once you start reading it.

This is an unusually good science book.

Skillful combinations of form and color show a mastery of this exciting art form.

I'm back to order my 4th "Fractal Cosmos" calendar. It's the perfect 2000 calendar--the art is vibrant, celebratory and memorable. The mood of each month is hauntingly captured in images of great diversity and power. A terrific gift for the fractal aficionado and a wonderful introduction for the uninitiated.

The best fractal calendar on the market

I found this book to be very insightful and thought-provoking. I would recommend this book to anyone due to its cross-discipline penning.

Are your interested in the issue of relating science and religion, but do you have a hard time finding your way in the complex material? Then this is definitely the book for you! I already loved the first edition, but the second, revised and expanded edition, will be a classic...

Summarizing this book is simply impossible, because this is not a monograph on a particular subject, but a text book aiming at giving a broad overview of the field and providing the necessary instruments for further study. The book deals not only with matters of method (e.g. modelf of relating science and religion) and history (e.g. historical examples of tensions between science and theology), but also extensively with theory. The new physics (Newtonian physics, cosmology, anthropic principles), evolutionary biology (Darwinism, human evolution, reductionism), psychology, ecology, science and education, religious diversity, tecnology, and biotechnology are dealt with in detail. Also divine action is given a fairly thorough treatment.

All in all, this book covers most of the contemporary field of science and theology. Having studied this book, you should be able to find your way in science & theology. Truly excellent!

Having had the privilege of studying the course behind this publication first-hand at Exeter, I would recommend the book to any student who seeks a thorough and well-rounded survey of the contemporary debate between science and religion.

Or is it a debate? The authors posit several models of dialogue between these two - usually separated - spheres, and this forms a core feature of this textbook: the opportunity to explore ways in which the two complement and enrich one another.

Therefore as well as being competently yet simply introduced to complex scientific questions (the Big Bang, the origin of life, quantum theory - to name a few), the author allows scope for the reader to see - for himself, and through the eyes of great thinkers, more and less famous - how it is possible to construct a working hypothesis of the inter-relation between God, humanity and the cosmos.

In the later chapters, which are a particularly unique and enjoyable section, we are introduced to the scientifically-influenced theologies of Jay McDaniel's "pelican heaven", Sallie McFague's "embodied God" and Ruth Page's "Web of Life". The reader can enjoy these models, whilst exercising a critical eye, sensitive to the scientific perceptions and phenomena so effectively outlined towards the beginning of the book.

On top of this, other views are outlined, including a section on Islamic theology and creation.

This is a great book for students and all those interested in understanding more of the world about them. It is refreshing to find a theology book which is so world-affirming, without resorting to religious dogmatism: not just a dry textbook, but a competent handbook AND a "choose you own adventure!"

It's easy to underestimate Barrington Bayley at first glance. His prose is a straightforward pulp style, without literary pretensions or stylistic experiments. No SF writer, however, is better at launching you into a weird universe within a few sentences and weaving a torrent of madcap ideas into full-throttle, action-packed plots. If you like the writing of Philip K. Dick, Alfred Bester, or Robert Sheckley, you're almost certain to be a Bayley fan, and this collection of superb stories is a good place to start. Bayley's work combines the social concerns of Dick, Bester, Sheckley, and Frederik Pohl with some of the more philosophical issues of "hard" SF writers such as Heinlein and Poul Anderson. Pure entertainment brimming with thought-provoking ideas --- what more can you ask from a book of science fiction stories?

This is Bayley at the peak of his powers, barkingly brilliant. The thought experiments he weaves into a mosaic of energetic stories works its way to you like Borges on speed, a strange hybrid of Rudy Rucker, Italo Calvino and A. E. van Vogt - yet the core of it remains inescapably Bayley's own brand of strange sf. It's more like speculative cosmology, except Freeman Dyson would never have come up with ideas like Bayley's:

Like; what if the universe was completely filled with rock? And each of us is living in a little bubble in the rock. In other words, the basic premise of the story is impossible because the universe is not full of rock. But he's like, "what if it was?" And he goes on to describe attempts at space travel in this universe, the problems that arise, and ends the whole shebang with an orgasmic zen buzz to your frontal lobes. Wow. And then there more, each story going off on wild tangents into space and time and the lack thereof. If you think you're up for the ride, go for it. But be warned - this is NOT extrapolative hard sf, this is utterly original speculative stuff that will mess with your notions of reality and boggle the mind.

This is Bayley at the peak of his powers, barkingly brilliant. The thought experiments he weaves into a mosaic of energetic stories works its way to you like Borges on speed, a strange hybrid of Rudy Rucker, Italo Calvino and A. E. van Vogt - yet the core of it remains inescapably Bayley's own brand of strange sf. It's more like speculative cosmology, except Freeman Dyson would never have come up with ideas like Bayley's:

Like; what if the universe was completely filled with rock? And each of us is living in a little bubble in the rock. In other words, the basic premise of the story is impossible because the universe is not full of rock. But he's like, "what if it was?" And he goes on to describe attempts at space travel in this universe, the problems that arise, and ends the whole shebang with an orgasmic zen buzz to your frontal lobes. Wow. And then there more, each story going off on wild tangents into space and time and the lack thereof. If you think you're up for the ride, go for it. But be warned - this is NOT extrapolative hard sf, this is utterly original speculative stuff that will mess with your notions of reality and boggle the mind.