Title: A Brief History of Time
Author: Stephen Hawking
First published September 1, 1988
226 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780553380163 (ISBN10: 0553380168)
Rating: 4.21
Overview
Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time is a masterpiece of science writing that delves into the most profound questions about the universe. From the origins of the universe and the nature of time to the possibility of other dimensions in space, this book explores the mysteries that have intrigued scientists and philosophers for centuries.
With his trademark clarity and wit, Hawking guides readers through the exotic worlds of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and cosmic strings, and reveals the incredible possibilities that lie at the heart of creation. Whether you are a curious layperson or a seasoned physicist, this book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the universe and our place in it.
About the Author
Stephen William Hawking was born in Oxford, England on January 8, 1942. Despite his family residing in north London at the time, they chose Oxford as it was considered a safer location to deliver babies during World War II.
At the age of eight, his family relocated to St Albans, a town north of London. Stephen attended St Albans School at age eleven and later University College, Oxford, his father’s alma mater.
His father preferred that Stephen pursue medicine, but Stephen preferred mathematics which was not offered at University College. Instead, he studied physics and received a first class honours degree in Natural Science after three years of study with minimal effort.
Stephen continued his studies at Cambridge, focusing on cosmology as there were no researchers in that field at Oxford. His supervisor was Denis Sciama, although he had hoped for Fred Hoyle at Cambridge.
He earned his Ph.D. and became a Research Fellow and later a Professorial Fellow at Gonville and Caius College. In 1973, he left the Institute of Astronomy and joined the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
Since 1979, he has held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a chair founded in 1663 by the Reverend Henry Lucas, the former Member of Parliament for the University. The position was first held by Isaac Barrow, then Isaac Newton.
Stephen Hawking’s research focused on the fundamental laws that govern the universe. Alongside Roger Penrose, he demonstrated that Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity implied that space and time have a beginning in the Big Bang and an end in black holes.
These results highlighted the need to unify General Relativity with Quantum Theory, the other significant scientific development of the first half of the 20th century. Hawking discovered that black holes should emit radiation and eventually evaporate, leading to the conjecture that the universe has no edge or boundary in imaginary time.
This implies that the universe’s beginning was entirely determined by science’s laws.
Stephen Hawking published numerous papers, including The Large Scale Structure of Spacetime with G.F.R. Ellis, General Relativity: An Einstein Centenary Survey with W. Israel, and 300 Years of Gravity with W.
Israel. He has also authored three popular books: A Brief History of Time, Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays, and The Universe in a Nutshell.
Hawking received twelve honorary degrees, was awarded the CBE in 1982, and made a Companion of Honour in 1989. He has received many awards, medals, and prizes and is a Fellow of The Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Editoral Review
Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time is a ground-breaking book that has revolutionized the way we think about the universe and our place in it. First published in 1988, the book has since become a classic of popular science literature, captivating readers with its accessible yet profound exploration of the mysteries of space and time.
As a renowned physicist and cosmologist, Hawking was uniquely qualified to tackle the subject matter of A Brief History of Time. In the book, he delves into topics such as the Big Bang, black holes, the nature of time, and the search for a unified theory of everything.
Despite the complexity of these concepts, Hawking writes in a clear and engaging style that makes them accessible to anyone with an interest in science.
The book is structured in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, with each chapter building on the previous one to create a cohesive narrative. Along the way, Hawking introduces us to a variety of fascinating characters, from famous scientists such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein to lesser-known figures who made important contributions to our understanding of the universe.
One of the strengths of A Brief History of Time is its ability to make complex scientific ideas understandable to a lay audience. Hawking uses analogies and real-world examples to help readers grasp abstract concepts, such as the curvature of space-time and the behavior of subatomic particles.
He also peppers the text with humor and wit, which makes the book an enjoyable read despite its weighty subject matter.
Despite its many strengths, A Brief History of Time is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the book too dense or technical, and others may wish that Hawking had gone into more detail on certain topics.
Additionally, some of the concepts presented in the book have since been revised or updated by subsequent scientific discoveries, which may make the book feel somewhat dated to modern readers.
Overall, however, A Brief History of Time is a must-read for anyone interested in science or the mysteries of the universe. It is a classic of popular science literature that has stood the test of time, and its influence can be seen in the many books that have followed in its wake.
For anyone looking to expand their knowledge of the cosmos, A Brief History of Time is an excellent place to start.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended for: Science enthusiasts, readers interested in the mysteries of the universe, anyone looking for an engaging and accessible introduction to complex scientific concepts.
