- Unknown Binding
- Publisher: Bantam (7 Sep 2010)
- ASIN: B004NKWJTS
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,412,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Grand Design
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 86 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Stephen Hawking's new book, "The Grand Design" (written together with Leonard Mlodinow), is his first popular science book for about ten years. It seems to have created quite a stir in the non-scientific press, although in reality the book is very much in line with our latest theories in cosmology. Science began with the ancient Greeks, and the book starts off with a summary of their ideas. After a gap of some 1,400 years, a scientific approach to the Universe was revived by men such as Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Descartes and Newton. Hawking goes on to describe the history of scientific advances since then, and introduces ideas of what is meant by reality and what constitutes a scientific theory. He introduces us to the mysteries of quantum mechanics and relativity, and explains how our understanding of the Big Bang is growing as a result of our studies of the cosmic microwave background radiation.
But the key part of the book comes when Hawking describes something called M-theory, the leading candidate for the "theory of everything" which it is hoped will unite the two (currently incompatible, but highly successful) theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Both M-theory and other strands of evidence increasingly point to the conclusion that our Universe is not, after all, the only universe. The implication of these latest theories is that there are billions - and probably an infinite number - of other universes, each with their own physical laws and physical constants. This is the theory of the Multiverse. At a stroke, the theory explains why there are features of our own Universe which make it suitable for life; this is simply because we could only ever have evolved in the tiny minority of universes with the right set of physical laws.
All in all, a fascinating read. If you want to give a mind-blowing Christmas present to somebody, this is the one.
But the key part of the book comes when Hawking describes something called M-theory, the leading candidate for the "theory of everything" which it is hoped will unite the two (currently incompatible, but highly successful) theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Both M-theory and other strands of evidence increasingly point to the conclusion that our Universe is not, after all, the only universe. The implication of these latest theories is that there are billions - and probably an infinite number - of other universes, each with their own physical laws and physical constants. This is the theory of the Multiverse. At a stroke, the theory explains why there are features of our own Universe which make it suitable for life; this is simply because we could only ever have evolved in the tiny minority of universes with the right set of physical laws.
All in all, a fascinating read. If you want to give a mind-blowing Christmas present to somebody, this is the one.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Philosophy is dead", the authors declare very early on, and then roundly prove over the next few chapters why they could have done with the services of a good philosopher. Hawking is known, of course, for his ground-breaking science, but not for his analysis of the history of knowledge or the social progress of our culture. Unfortunately, a substantial part of this book is dedicated to those topics, and makes for a short-sighted and naive read. Once the writing turns to actual science, its value greatly increases: the major elements of relativity and quantum mechanics are summed up simply and clearly, then form the basis for explanations of newer work such as M-Theory. Hawking has written better about his (and others') work, but if you're looking for the most up-to-date and/or easily read version, then this book is worth its very reasonable cover price. It's a short and superficial book, however, so if you're looking for anything in-depth you are likely to be disappointed.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow have made yet another stab to popularise the exploration of how the universe began. I read it interspersed with Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw's book "Why does e=mc2" which I found as a lapsed mathematician to be much more readable, understandable and less opinionated than the Hawking/Mlodinow text, which left me feeling strangely empty towards the end, as if they couldn't quite reach the final point they were trying to make: is it because that point is beyond mathematical comprehension? Read both and decide!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
great book
I like the part that explain how the mind control reality
and all his worldview is wonderful
I admire him very much it is the best physisst in the world
and all his worldview is wonderful
I admire him very much it is the best physisst in the world
Published 1 month ago by Patricia Barja
VERY DISAPPOINTING
For a book which is sold on the reputation of Stephen Hawking (whose name on both cover and spine is bigger than the title), this is a very disappointing read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Barry Gale
an interesting read
This book is an interesting if sometimes difficult read. Some passages need re reading for clarification purposes but if you are interested in our universe this is the book to get... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Angela Rimmer
Why???
I was really looking forward to his new book, but why this. This is basically an anti-god book using science as his basis. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dave OB
Believe this and you will believe anything!
Here' the thing. Any clear thinking person will know that a lot of the conclusions in this book are just deluded fantasies. And therein lies the problem. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Peter
CHRISTMAS GIFT
PURCHASED AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR MY OTHER HALF HE HAS BEEN DRIVING ME MAD FOR THIS BOOK
EXCELLENT PURCHASE :-)
EXCELLENT PURCHASE :-)
Published 5 months ago by The Cupcake Fairy
NOT his usual standard
Since this has a joint authorship one wonders how much is from the pen of Leonard Mlodnow as this is not up to Hawkings usual standard. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Wasjet
Condescending and Disappointing
As a veteran of a Brief History of Time (twice) and a number of other popular science books, I was hoping for great things from this one. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. W. Hall
Gift Idea
As my brother has become fascinated with the wolrd of physics and our solar system, i thought it would be great gift idea for xmas. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Frankee1214
A bit basic
I bought the book expecting it to be on par with Hawkings' earlier books, but it is predominantly a history of science and suited more to the teenage science student. Read more
Published 5 months ago by PP VAN-BERGEN
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