This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Paul Steinhardt, the Albert Einstein Professor of Science and Director of the Center for Theoretical Science at Princeton University. He is one of the originators of the theory of cosmic inflation and has become one of its fiercest critics. This fascinating conversation covers topics such as Paul Steinhardt’s scientific development, his formative experiences at Caltech including his encounters with Richard Feynman, his development and later scepticism of the theory of cosmic inflation, the response of the scientific community to the failure of this theory, his theory of cosmology, The Ekpyrotic Universe, and more..

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Not Even Wrong, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

• Scientific Beginnings - Marie Curie, Richard Feynman, and finding one’s path


• Inflationary Excitement - A captivating talk and subsequent insights


• Progress, Tuned Appropriately - The Nuffield Workshop and its aftermath


• Two Major Issues - The initial value problem and eternal inflation


• Cosmological Denial - Resolutely clinging to a good story


• Bouncing Back? - Considering a key change

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series (100 books):

Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers, including 3 Nobel Laureates, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. Howard Burton holds a PhD in physics and an MA in philosophy, and was the Founding Director of Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.