The Practical Guide to the Universe

First off, any universe--or alternate universe, for that matter--which contains phone trees, Howard Stern, and a video version of the grammar handbook The Elements of Style--is screwed-up by definition. By contrast, the sight of host Tom Selleck decked out in western wear topped by a cowboy hat talking about what was happening at a trillionth of a second into the birth of the universe seems perfectly normal. We watched The Beginning of Time, the opening volume of this 9-part series, which began with a brief overview of astronomical history before settling down to the meat and potatoes of that first second. Explaining that no space or time existed before the beginning (which was not a modern conclusion; St. Augustine first voiced the theory), the program corrects the common misconception about the Big Bang as an explosion of particles into space; actually, space itself was created in the initial expansion (what we non-scientific types call the "explosion"). The video also explores the concept of the Big Crunch (or implosion of the universe due to gravity) and the long-debated notion of a pulsating universe (expanding and collapsing). Being four years old, the series is a bit out of date (the exact birthday of the universe is being hotly debated at the moment), and Selleck's cowboy hat and comforting drawl notwithstanding, the presentation is more detailed and technical than the average junior high schooler will appreciate. Still, this high quality production will be a boon to skilled science teachers who can help breakdown the concepts for their students. However, both public and school libraries should be aware of the re-release of the acclaimed PBS-aired 6-hour series The Astronomers from MPI Home Video at $79.98. Recommended, with reservations. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)