NovelReads: The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey Into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred

BY SAHITHI DODDAKA

This book is a must-read for those interested in science, education, and anyone who strives to understand racism and its impact on the foundational structures of the world. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein provides an insightful perspective on how racism spans from social to scientific spheres by relating particle physics and spacetime to race, activism, and equality.

This book was a pleasure to read and emphasizes important issues regarding race, gender, and sexuality in a unique light. The first couple chapters of the book focus heavily on physics and scientific knowledge, explaining complex topics in a digestible manner. After this view into string theory, space, relativity, and quantum physics, there is a seamless shift into social issues and how science plays an integral role. As the first black woman to earn a cosmology theory PhD, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein uses her experiences and knowledge to provide cognizance to a field with limited representation. Her understanding of a field that has been and continues to be dominated by white men is extremely valuable.

The author's writing in this book was detailed and complex, while still being comprehensible. Many books that try to explain high-level scientific topics tend to be monotonous and drag, but Chandra's enthusiasm and passion shine through. She writes for a diverse audience, contrasting how scientific work has been written historically. I personally found her book to be brilliant, but some people may disagree with the social stances and takes she employs in the book. Her raw and intimate take on various social issues was eye-opening and requires an inquisitive reader. I recommend this book and applaud Dr. Prescod-Weinstein for writing it.