Why Does the World Exist?: A Guided Tour of Ideas About the Origin of the Universe by Jim Holt

On July 11, 2012, in Book Reviews, Nonfiction, Science, by Editor

Whether framed philosophically as “Why is there a world rather than nothing at all?” or more colloquially as “But, Mommy, who made God?” the metaphysical mystery about how we came into existence remains the most fractious and fascinating question of all time. Following in the footsteps of Christopher Hitchens, Roger Penrose, and even Stephen Hawking, Jim Holt emerges with an engrossing narrative that traces our latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe.

Magic Hours: Essays on Creators and Creation by Tom Bissell

On May 5, 2012, in Book Reviews, Essays, Nonfiction, by Editor

In Magic Hours, award-winning essayist Tom Bissell explores the highs and lows of the creative process. He takes us from the set of The Big Bang Theory to the first novel of Ernest Hemingway to the final work of David Foster Wallace; from the films of Werner Herzog to the film of Tommy Wiseau to the editorial meeting in which Paula Fox’s work was relaunched into the world.