Brian Cox

"We are the cosmos made conscious and life is the means by which the universe understands itself."

Professor Brian Cox, OBE is a particle physicist, a Royal Society research fellow, and a professor at the University of Manchester as well as researcher on one of the most ambitious experiments on Earth, the ATLAS experiment on the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. He is best known to the public as a science broadcaster and presenter of the highly popular BBC2 series Wonders of the Solar System. He was also the keyboard player in the UK pop band D:Ream in the 1990s.

What genres and topics does Brian Cox write about?

Brian Cox writes popular science books focused on physics, cosmology, astrophysics and the nature of the universe. He is a particle physicist and science broadcaster (OBE and Royal Society research fellow) and often explains complex science for general readers.

Which Brian Cox book is best for someone new to his work?

For general readers, Why Does E=MC2? (And Why Should We Care?) is a friendly introduction to key physics ideas. If you enjoyed his TV programmes, start with the tie-in books such as BBC Wonders of the Solar System or Human Universe.

Are Brian Cox's books part of a series or is there a recommended reading order?

Most of his books are standalone and can be read in any order. There are thematic groups and TV tie-ins (the 'Wonders' titles, Human Universe, The Planets, etc.), so choose by topic or by the related BBC programme rather than a strict series order.

Are his books technical or accessible to non-specialists?

His books are principally popular science aimed at general readers, making complex ideas accessible. Some titles (for example those focused on quantum physics) go into deeper technical explanation, but they are still written for a broad audience.

Are any of his books based on TV programmes, and what formats are they available in?

Yes,several are BBC tie-ins (Human Universe, BBC Wonders of the Solar System, The Universe, Forces of Nature). Formats listed include hardcover and paperback; availability of ebooks or audiobooks varies by title and retailer.