First Light: Switching on Stars at the Dawn of Time (Paperback)

An illuminating-and entertaining-look at the earliest stars of our cosmos. Chapman is a witty and straightforward guide ... and her enthusiasm for the chase is infectious. First Light conveys the wonder and mystery of darkness suddenly illuminated by magnificent starlight. * Washington Post *
Thoroughly engaging ... allows us to see science in the making, chronicles current attempts to reveal this hidden era - what we know and what we don't know. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagan's, although with an extra and very welcome dollop of impish humor. * Wall Street Journal *
Throughout First Light, Chapman's authenticity and humour shine through. [...] this is a charming book that was as fun to read as it was informative, making it as ideal for the casual reader as for those with an existing understanding of the field. * Physics World *
First Light is a fantastic debut on the popular science scene for Emma Chapman that fleshes out the context around these two key functions. My opinion: come for the state-of-the-art on the first stars, stay for the comprehensive primer on modern cosmology, and revel in the footnotes. * Paul Woods, Nature Astronomy *
First Light is a dispatch from the frontiers of science, from a brain fizzing with ideas and energy. * Chris Lintott, BBC Sky at Night *
Her everyday examples of complex concepts are conversational, witty and elucidating ... Chapman manages to effectively convey the gist of most of this most complicated of space sciences ... Chapman's most valuable asset here, aside from her obvious expertise, is her enthusiasm ... All of this is astounding, so much so that it almost defies explication, which is why it is such a treat to have someone of Chapman's stature willing to carry us along as she reaches for these ancient stars. * The Minneapolis Star Tribune *
First Light, a thoroughly engaging tale that allows us to see science in the making, chronicles current attempts to reveal this hidden era -- what we know and what we don't know. Ms. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagan's , although with an extra and very welcome dollop of impish humor. * Wall Street Journal *
Lyrical, profound, witty, and literally enlightening. * Adam Rutherford *