Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time has become an international publishing phenomenon. Translated into thirty languages, it has sold over ten million copies worldwide and lives on as a science book that continues to captivate and inspire new readers each year. When it was first published in 1988 the ideas discussed in it were at the cutting edge of what was then known about the universe. In the intervening twenty years there have been extraordinary advances in the technology of observing both the micro- and macro-cosmic world. Indeed, during that time cosmology and the theoretical sciences have entered a new golden age . Professor Hawking is one of the major scientists and thinkers to have contributed to this renaissance. This special edition, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the book's original ground-breaking publication is surely destined to become a coveted collectors' item.
A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes
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Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history, wrote the modern classic A Brief History of Time to help non-scientists understand fundamental questions of physics and our existence: where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if so, how? Hawking attempts to deal with these questions (and where we might look for answers) using a minimum of technical jargon. Among the topics gracefully covered are gravity, black holes, the Big Bang, the nature of time and physicists' search for a grand unifying theory. This is deep science; the concepts are so vast (or so tiny) that they cause mental vertigo while reading, and one can't help but marvel at Hawking's ability to synthesize this difficult subject for people not used to thinking about things like alternate dimensions. The journey is certainly worth taking for as Hawking says, the reward of understanding the universe may be a glimpse of "the mind of God". --Therese Littleton, Amazon.com
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Review
"Master of the Universe... One scientist's courageous voyage to the frontiers of the Cosmos" (Newsweek )
"This book marries a child's wonder to a genius's intellect. We journey into Hawking's universe, while marvelling at his mind" (The Sunday Times )
"He can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit... His is a brain of extraordinary power" (Observer )
"To follow such a fine mind as it exposes such great problems is an exciting experience" (The Sunday Times )
"One of the most brilliant scientific minds since Einstein" (Daily Express ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
"This book marries a child's wonder to a genius's intellect. We journey into Hawking's universe, while marvelling at his mind" (The Sunday Times )
"He can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit... His is a brain of extraordinary power" (Observer )
"To follow such a fine mind as it exposes such great problems is an exciting experience" (The Sunday Times )
"One of the most brilliant scientific minds since Einstein" (Daily Express ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
A well-known scientist (some say it was Bertrand Russell) once gave a public lecture on astronomy. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
A well-known scientist (some say it was Bertrand Russell) once gave a public lecture on astronomy. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By liam
Format:Paperback
Reading this book was a pleasure. I found the content presented in an understandable tongue that was story like in the way I found myself drawn into this history of the universe. Of course as a layman some of the science is beyond me, but only because i do not have the necessary background to fully comprehend the full implications of the theories discussed. However not once did I feel unable to continue with the book. It was well written, well researched and fully recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out what one of themost forefront physicists of ourtime has to say about the universe are part of.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By A. Gasson
Format:Paperback
Like so many, I have always said I'd read Brief History. So i bit the bullet and delved in...
Now I'm not a mathematician, or a physisist. Not since GSCE's have i pondered over the equations that were set down over the last few hundred years. Luckily Stephen Hawking knew this when he wrote A Brief History of Time. In fact that was his driving force.
It proved to be, from the start, an enjoyable read. Doesn't really say much does it? "An enjoyable read", sort of reaction you'd have to a Spot the Dog book. Well that's how it starts. But I got through that to discover mind blowing theories and genuine enjoyment in reading Hawkings.
Yes there are a lot of things to get your head round, things that are complicated and at times uncomprehensible. But this is said in terms of altering your view on our world and universe, not in terms of being far too complicated and above us.
It's not for everyone, but if it's for you its an enthralling read. Not one to be left on the coffee table.
80 of 86 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a truly excellent book. Why? Because it covers a wide range of cutting edge physics and makes it more or less understandable to everyone.
I notice that one reviewer has called this book "A Con Job" and goes on to ask "If he [Hawking] is such a great genius why do we never come across his name in the history of science? What major breakthroughs has he made? ... One reviewer admitted that he [Hawking] did not understand more than 60% of the book. I certainly didn't understand more than 10%". Well let's answer the first part shall we? Stephen Hawking provided a mathmatical proof for the big-bang theory and has done extensive research into the workings of black-holes. Are these not major breakthroughs? I certainally think so. The fact that the reviwer understood less than 10% of the content perhaps says more about his intelligence that the quality of the book.
The book is fairly short (240 pages) and this is to its credit - it is long enough to introduce and explain difficult concepts, but short enough not to bore you.
All in all, this is an great book - give it a try!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
A very good book started it ten years ago but picked it up again recently. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in physics.
Published 1 month ago by B Cooksey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just about for the layman
Very, very interesting. If you have no background in this and can accept total ignorance to the subject and inability to really understand it, this book is accessible on an ideas... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tom W
5.0 out of 5 stars
educating
Wanted to read this book for a long time - finally got round to it. Struggled sometimes with the science bits but on the whole it was explained in an understandable way and kept me... Read more
Published 1 month ago by e2djones
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
my husband friend loved this book he really enjoys things that stephen hawkings does my best friend is really happy as her husband is very difficult to buy for
Published 2 months ago by jenny robson
3.0 out of 5 stars
A unique view of time.
I got this book for my Dad, and he thought parts of it were excellent. The writing was, he felt, a little simplistic - as if he were writing for people of limited intelligence or... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. Elise Hey
1.0 out of 5 stars
OMG
with an honours degree and a senior management position in a large business, I thought I could cope with this now - you really need to be Stephen Hawkins to understand it - or have... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Maxine
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
I read this when it came out and bought this to give to someone. Most people who own it have not read it all, far less understood it, but the brain-stretching is good exercise!
Published 3 months ago by Dr. M. Everard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brief history of time
It is a great book. Can certainly be hard going at times and you'll find yourself re-reading sections as you go along, but if you can keep going, it's worth it.
Published 3 months ago by R. J. Bransden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't criticise!
There is no reason not to love this product if you are a Hawkins fan! It is a very interesting book, easy to follow and came in good quality.
Published 3 months ago by Rach
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit of a let down.
It's ok I suppose but one thing I was disappointed with is the Kindle edition, it's poor quality
diagrams are a let down. Read more
diagrams are a let down. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amazonion.
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