GALAXIES, NUCLEI QUASARS

Did the universe begin with a bang, a whimper? Or is matter being continuously and more gently created throughout interplanetary space? Astronomer Fred Hoyle adds fresh speculations to this cosmological controversy and he claims that recent studies of quasi-stellar radio sources (i.e. quasars) suggest that neither theory maybe true. Perhaps the universe is being created with lots of little bumps that are nonetheless more violent than the gentle processes of the 'steadystate theory. Hoyle explains away the observational evidence favoring the ""big bang"" and he advances other theories on such related subjects as the formation and origin of galaxies, cosmic rays, and the history of matter. Generally speaking, this is a stimulating book. Though written in the chatty style of a BBC broadcaster, the arguments are by no means elementary and cosmophiles who haven't digested the more basic Frontiers of Astronomy may find it difficult. Some may be annoyed by the lack of documentation. However, the popularity of Hoyle's other works insures a readership and it's an exciting trip through current cosmological and astronomical theory.