A Brief History of the Universe [And Our Place in It]

by Sarah Alam Malik

From award-winning particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, a fascinating and accessible exploration of our continuous journey to unlocking the secrets of the universe and understanding where we fit into it.

Renowned particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik, whose research into dark matter has brought her to the cutting edge of scientific advancement, explores our endeavors to understand the cosmos. From the ancient Greeks, who blended observation with philosophy, and the Islamic Empire, which made critical advancements in astronomy, to today’s research into quantum physics and extraterrestrial life, each generation has built on the cumulative knowledge of the civilizations before it. Dr. Malik highlights the people who made breakthroughs possible, some well-known, like Albert Einstein, and others less so, like Vera Rubin, who pushed the boundaries of society and science.

Yet every age shares a surprising Each time we thought we grasped a complete understanding, we stumbled upon something that upended it. Copernicus, for example, launched a revolution when he argued Earth was not at the universe’s center, and Ernest Rutherford disproved the long-held belief that the atom was indivisible.

Dr. Malik reveals that behind the saga of our scientific successes is an intensely curious and deeply philosophical species striving to comprehend its place in the vast cosmos, and she captures how our efforts have shaped, and continue to shape, not only our knowledge, but our identity.

Accessible and engaging, A Brief History of the Universe embarks on a journey through the discoveries that have influenced, and at times upended, how we see ourselves in the grand universe, and captures the wonder of the world we live in.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2026

About the author

Dr. Sarah Alam Malik is an internationally recognized expert on dark matter, whose work on large-scale experiments like the Large Hadron Collider has placed her at the cutting edge of exploring the universe’s mysteries and the sophisticated technologies that enable us to probe its fundamental laws. Dr. Malik is a graduate of Oxford University and University College London and was awarded the prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[V ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this one more than i expected. i liked learning new things, especially now, about the universe and the scientists behind the discoveries. the mix of science and reflections makes it feel more meaningful, not just full of facts. it was so much fun. sometimes i felt a bit lost because the language can be slightly poetic or dense, but i still enjoyed my time reading & thinking about it.

[zosia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Was craving to know more about space after my Project Hail Mary reread and the Artemis II launch and this was it! As someone who has always been curious about our place in the universe, and from birth wanted to be a 'space cowgirl', I really appreciated how the author took the time to make the science more digestible for the average person. I've tried other books before where the author tried to break it down, but it was still a little too incomprehensible for me. That being said, she doesn't entirely hold your hand throughout the book, which I liked because you could still draw some of your own conclusions about what we currently know about the universe versus what we're still learning. Grasping where we've been historically with our understanding of the cosmos and we're we are headed-- I really enjoyed this nonfiction read.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since ancient times, humans have gazed at the night sky, driven by a desire to understand the cosmos. From Copernicus to Vera Rubin, each generation has built upon and overturned previous knowledge. This book guides us through the groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe.

This isn’t so much a history of the universe as a history of scientific exploration. It’s a human story and includes the reflections of the author on the topic. The book is engaging, accessible, and beautifully written.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Natalie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The author has an amazing capacity for weaving a thoroughly engaging story whilst simultaneously tackling complex scientific and philosophical questions in an accessible and enthralling way. It was an epic journey through humankind’s ever evolving knowledge of the universe and the final chapters were thought provoking prompts to keep the reader wondering long after the final page. A must read for anyone who looks up at the stars and wonders about our place in the cosmos.

[Kalyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books like this they feel like comfort food to me. I listened to the audiobook, and the fact that the author narrates it herself makes it even better. Her voice matches her writing perfectly. Easy to follow, genuinely interesting, and you will pick up a lot along the way.

[Robert Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the Bill Bryson I've just finished, a nice overview with a sprinkling of the new. From Bronze age science through to speculation on AI, a beautifully written history of where we are, if a little pushy on the instrumentalist and religious points of view. Short but worth a read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a train …. Super well written, nice use of wording, and taking us from A to Z to our understanding of the universe. Loved it. Recommended for anyone wanting to have a quick understanding of the most important milestones in our self discovery.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear nod to Hawking, but much more accessible and poetic

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is masterfully written. The author is able to present incredibly complex information in a digestible way while being warm, inspiring and poetic. There are parts so challenging that I had to read them multiple times, but that speaks to the fascinating content.

This book taught me so much and invigorated my deep sense of awe and wonder for the space around of us.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant read. Sarah writes incredibly well and in such an accessible manner that the complex becomes comprehensible. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to all.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some of the material here will be familiar to anyone who has read a pop science Astronomy or physics book recently. But Malik is such a good writer that she weaves the new and the unfamiliar together in a lively way that makes for either a fascinating introduction or an engaging review. Delightful.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, audio

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular book which really transmits a sense of awe and wonder at the scientific discoveries thus far and those we have yet to uncover. The book itself is very vast but in a way which isn't overwhelming - loved learning about octopuses seeking escape to cassini self destructing into Saturn in the same book. Humanising the life stories of the scientists themselves also made it a great read with lovely anecdotes about their upbringings. Five stars.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about the various discoveries over time that have helped to explain the universe and universal laws. It is written in a style that is easy to understand and helps bring to life a number of more recent discoveries about our universe. This is a very good book and I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the universe and our role in it.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Reminded me a bit of the Neil de grasse Tyson Cosmos series.