13 Journeys Through Space and Time

An exploration of space and time and a journey of discovery, through 13 of the most fascinating Christmas Lectures given at the Royal Institution of Great Britain over the last 200 years. With a foreword by ESA astronaut Tim Peake. Started at the Royal Institution (RI) in 1825 by Michael Faraday, the Christmas Lectures have been broadcast on television since the 1960s and have formed part of the British Christmas tradition for generations. First devised to attract young people to the magic of science through spectacular demonstrations, they are now watched by millions of people around the world every year. Drawing on the incredible archive at the RI, which is packed full of handwritten notebooks, photographs, and transcripts, this book will focus on 13 of the most captivating Lectures given at the RI on space and time, taking a look at what we thought we knew then and what has been discovered since.

"About the size and weight of a large slab of chocolate but far more nourishing." —Daily Telegraph

"Joyous . . . A perfect Christmas gift for curious minds." —Stanfords Blog

"Handsome and insightful." —Waterstones Blog

"Extra special . . . An excellent book for anyone interested in space and time." —One Giant Read

"Perfect with a slice of Christmas cake." —BBC Focus Magazine

Colin Stuart is a space geek who talks to tens of thousands of people about the stars every year. A freelance science writer too, he has written for the Guardian, Observer, New Scientist, and the European Space Agency. He has been a runner-up in the European Astronomy Journalism Prize and is the author of several books, including The Big Questions in Science and Why Space Matters to Me. A fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he's talked about the wonders of the universe on Sky News, BBC News, and Radio 5Live.