Abstract
"Whenever the word `origin' is used," Sir Fred Hoyle urges, "disbelieve everything you are told, even if it is I who am telling it"(p. 18). Such a statement does not bode well for the convincingness of a book devoted to the topic of origins. However, Hoyle does seem to thrive on presenting controversial and creative ideas. His book is essentially the transcript of a lecture, which is followed by the brief comments of various respondents. It is thematically divided into two parts, as suggested by the title, but the "origin of the universe" actually refers to the earth's pre-history. (It has no index, footnotes, or bibliography.)