Mark Brake has written 29 books exploring the connections between science, history, and popular culture. His work ranges from science fiction and astrobiology to popular science for younger readers, and includes a long-running series of books examining the science behind some of the world’s best-known cultural franchises, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Star Trek, James Bond and The Beatles. His books have been published internationally in at least 16 languages.
Selected Books
Different Engines
Palgrave Macmillan, 2007 — with Neil Hook
Different Engines explores the two-way relationship between science and science fiction: how scientific discoveries have shaped our imagined futures, and how speculative fiction has, in turn, influenced scientists, technologies and ideas about the future. The book attracted substantial critical attention across science, science-fiction and academic publications, with reviews in New Scientist, BBC Focus, SFX, Kirkus Reviews and Science Fiction Studies.
“Thought-provoking and entertaining.” — Jeff Hecht, New Scientist
Really Really Big Questions About Space and Time
Kingfisher, 2010
Written for younger readers, this book is a journey through some of the biggest questions in astronomy and physics, from the origins and scale of the Universe to black holes, time travel and the possibility of other worlds. The book was published internationally in numerous translated editions, including Chinese, Spanish, Slovak, Turkish and Vietnamese versions, among others.
“This is a book I would have devoured when I was a kid.” — Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society
Alien Life Imagined
Cambridge University Press, 2013
Alien Life Imagined explores humanity’s changing ideas about extraterrestrial life, tracing them from ancient speculation through literature and popular culture to modern astrobiology and the scientific search for life beyond Earth. Bringing science and cultural history together, the book examines how our ideas about aliens have evolved alongside changing understandings of the cosmos.
“It makes for a very interesting discussion.” — How It Works
The Science of Star Wars
Racehorse Publishing, 2016 — with Jon Chase
The Science of Star Wars uses the films’ characters, worlds and technologies as a gateway into real science. From lightsabers and hyperspace to droids, alien life and the Force, the book asks where the saga touches genuine scientific possibility — and where it leaves known physics behind. It forms part of Mark’s wider series of books exploring the science behind major works of popular culture.
Publishers Weekly reported an initial 2016 print run of 100,000 copies. — Publishers Weekly
The Science of Harry Potter
Racehorse Publishing, 2017 — with Jon Chase
The Science of Harry Potter explores the real science behind the magical world, asking how phenomena from invisibility and flying to potions, fantastic creatures and extraordinary human abilities might be understood through physics, biology, chemistry and technology. Part of Mark’s wider Science of… series, the book uses a familiar fictional universe as a route into scientific ideas and possibilities. Published internationally in at least seven translated editions, including Czech, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Russian.
How to Be a Space Explorer
Lonely Planet Kids, 2014
How to Be a Space Explorer is a practical guide to exploring the Solar System and beyond, introducing younger readers to planets, moons, spacecraft and the realities of life in space. Combining astronomy with the spirit of an explorer’s handbook, it presents space science through facts, activities and the practical challenges of travelling beyond Earth.
Silver Medal — 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Juvenile–Young Adult Non-Fiction
The Science of Star Trek
Skyhorse Publishing, 2022
The Science of Star Trek explores the real science behind one of science fiction’s most enduring universes. From warp drives, transporters and artificial intelligence to alien worlds and the search for extraterrestrial life, the book examines how Star Trek has imagined scientific possibilities — and how some of those ideas relate to research and technology in the real world.
★★★★★ — BBC Sky at Night Magazine
“An entertaining and informative read.” – Katie Sawers, BBC Sky at Night Magazine
International Editions
Mark Brake’s books have been published internationally in at least 16 languages, with translated editions appearing across Europe and Asia.
Titles ranging from children’s popular science to the Science of… series have reached readers in languages including Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.
What Editors & Producers Have Said
“The sheer enthusiasm he brings to the task was a huge benefit to us.”
Senior Editor, Kingfisher. Commissioning editor, Really Really Big Questions About Space and Time
“His input has been a major factor in its success.”
Series Producer, BBC Space Hoppers. On Mark’s work as scientific adviser
“It is rare to find someone of Mark’s universal talents in science.”
BAFTA-nominated BBC editor, Former Head of Factual Programmes, BBC Wales
Explore More
Mark Brake writes about the meeting points of science, history, and popular culture — in books, broadcasting and The Difference Engine.
