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The End of Everything

(Astrophysically Speaking)

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A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK * AN NPR SCIENCE FRIDAY BOOK CLUB SELECTION * NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST, THE ECONOMIST, NEW SCIENTIST, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY,and THE GUARDIAN

From the cohost of the podcast The Universe with John Green and one of the most dynamic stars in astrophysics, an “engrossing, elegant” (The New York Times) look at five ways the universe could end, and the mind-blowing lessons each scenario reveals about the most important concepts in cosmology.

We know the universe had a beginning. With the Big Bang, it expanded from a state of unimaginable density to an all-encompassing cosmic fireball to a simmering fluid of matter and energy, laying down the seeds for everything from black holes to one rocky planet orbiting a star near the edge of a spiral galaxy that happened to develop life as we know it. But what happens to the universe at the end of the story? And what does it mean for us now?

Dr. Katie Mack has been contemplating these questions since she was a young student, when her astronomy professor informed her the universe could end at any moment, in an instant. This revelation set her on the path toward theoretical astrophysics. Now, with lively wit and humor, she takes us on a mind-bending tour through five of the cosmos’s possible finales: the Big Crunch, Heat Death, the Big Rip, Vacuum Decay (the one that could happen at any moment!), and the Bounce. Guiding us through cutting-edge science and major concepts in quantum mechanics, cosmology, string theory, and much more, The End of Everything is a wildly fun, surprisingly upbeat ride to the farthest reaches of all that we know. Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Physics Astronomy Science

Interview: Mind-Blowing Lessons About 'The End of Everything'

The End of Everything
'...we also have this amazing power to understand so much.'
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  • The End of Everything
  • '...we also have this amazing power to understand so much.'

Critic reviews

"While forecasting the death of the universe may seem morbid, this audiobook, written by astrophysicist Katie Mack and narrated primarily by Gabra Zackman, is surprisingly fun and informative. Mack delivers the introduction, in which she introduces listeners to her field of study, along with some of its basic concepts and terminology. Mack's enthusiasm and wry sense of humor set the tone for the rest of the audiobook. Zackman then delivers the five major theories on how the universe could end. . . . [She] channels Mack's personality while leading listeners on a jaunty tour of the astrophysical end of everything."

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks for Star Gazers, Amateur Astronomers, and UFOlogists


From the beginning of time, humans have looked up to the sky in adoration and curiosity, a trend that continues today. The future of space exploration is abundant with people curious to discover what lies beyond the little blue marble we call Earth. Whether you’re someone who looks up to the sky and wonders what that one bright star is, or a seasoned astronomy enthusiast looking to become a pro, these audiobooks are full of insights and revelations.

Featured Article The Best Audiobooks for Star Gazers Amateur Astronomers and UFOlogists

Editor's Pick

Contemplating our doom (the far-off distant kind) is weirdly refreshing
I love to get my mind boggled by big science, but I really struggle to make my way through dense nonfiction (Bill Nye the Science Guy is more my speed). But I've been following Katie Mack on Twitter (@AstroKatie) ever since we started hearing about Betelgeuse dimming and potentially going supernova (the coolness of which I appreciate even more after listening to this book). Starting with the Big Bang for background, she proceeds to take us through the five scientifically most likely ways the world will one day meet its end—and make no mistake about it, it will end. Charming and humorous, and peppered with enough pop culture and sci-fi references to keep listeners like me grounded in our reality, Mack approaches the inevitability of our doom with the kind of levity I just really, really needed right now. —Emily C., Audible Editor

Accessible Complex Science • Engaging Explanations • Author's Excellent Narration • Humorous Writing

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I really enjoyed the content of this book and the writing was spot on, however i think a different narrator would have made it an easier listen… or an incredibly ingenious marketing ploy… although I could not listen to the audiobook I did go out and get the paperback copy.! Well worth the read.

Loved the content

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it’s one of the few if not the only non-fiction book that made me sad to realize it was over. I was attracted to the title by the subject matter: thinking about the beginning and the end of the universe has always been an interesting idea for me. But Katie Mack goes deeper - she spends the end of the book reflecting on why this study matters at all, and ends with a beautiful philosophical reflection.

Unexpectedly profound

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I have good time letting my mind to wonder with this book, and at the end, the beautiful peaceful sensation of living this life in this universe as it comes, and fully. at the end it doesn't matter. Just majestic understand that with this book, it make me fully appreciate life and my personal existence

what an amazing journey

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With the world of physics changing so quickly, it’s hard to find future proof books on the (incredibly broad) topic. This one probably isn’t either but it absolutely does brings you up to speed to the 2020 state of the art, and teases what to look out for in the coming months and years.

But unlike many science books, The End of Everything will make you feel things - not all of them pleasant. But power through it and you’ll come out a richer person on the other end.

Sad, depressing, hopeful, amazing.

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I love this book (I love astrophysics) and have finished it several times. I am a huge fan of Katie Mack. It would be a 10/10 if Katie narrated it herself. She has an excellent speaking voice during discussions and I wish she had narrated this to give it the final touch it needed.

Very good

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