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Stephen Hawking

A Brief History of Time

It's getting on for 20 years since Hawking wrote 'A brief history of time', but on rereading it now it doesn't seem that dated. Possibly this is because Hawking isn't trying to tell us the latest theories of the universe, rather he's explaining the basics of the subject in simple terms. (This relates to the original 1988 edition - there is now a 1998 edition which does include some of the new discoveries). Now I know that this book has the reputation of often being unfinished by readers, but they can't be trying very hard - as science books go it's one of the easiest to follow that I've read. That said there is 'A briefer history of time' with less text and more pictures. Also 'Black holes and baby universes' is more autobiographical, and so some people might find it easier to follow.

'A brief history of time' starts with chapters on cosmology, and moves on to quantum theory, particle physics and black holes. The later chapters look at Hawking's own work on the thermodynamics of black holes, as well as string theory and the inlationary theory of the origin of the universe.

I guess that if the book were written now then the publisher would insist on having the word 'God' in the title - the word occurs pretty often in the text itself. Its hard to tell what Hawking's beliefs are, but at least there's not too much in the way of phoney theology which you often find in such books.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 224 pages
ISBN: 0553380168
Salesrank: 2356
Weight:0.7 lbs

Published: 1998 Bantam

Amazon price $12.24

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 240 pages
ISBN: 0553175211
Salesrank: 1158
Weight:0.49 lbs

Published: 1995 Bantam Books

Amazon price £5.40

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 224 pages
ISBN: 0553380168
Salesrank: 11790
Weight:0.7 lbs

Published: 1998 Bantam

Amazon price CDN$ 15.33

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 8.86:Used from CDN$ 5.12

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Product Description
A Brief History of Time, published in 1988, was a landmark volume in science writing and in world-wide acclaim and popularity, with more than 9 million copies in print globally. The original edition was on the cutting edge of what was then known about the origins and nature of the universe. But the ensuing years have seen extraordinary advances in the technology of observing both the micro- and the macrocosmic world--observations that have confirmed many of Hawking's theoretical predictions in the first edition of his book. Now a decade later, this edition updates the chapters throughout to document those advances, and also includes an entirely new chapter on Wormholes and Time Travel and a new introduction. It make vividly clear why A Brief History of Time has transformed our view of the universe.

Product Description

A Brief History of Time, published in 1988, was a landmark volume in science writing and in world-wide acclaim and popularity, with more than 9 million copies in print globally. The original edition was on the cutting edge of what was then known about the origins and nature of the universe. But the ensuing years have seen extraordinary advances in the technology of observing both the micro- and the macrocosmic world--observations that have confirmed many of Hawking's theoretical predictions in the first edition of his book.

Now a decade later, this edition updates the chapters throughout to document those advances, and also includes an entirely new chapter on Wormholes and Time Travel and a new introduction. It make vividly clear why A Brief History of Time has transformed our view of the universe.

A brief history of time *****
Revisiting an old friend in this book good reading, updated and book is in great condition.

A brief history of time *****

Revisiting an old friend in this book good reading, updated and book is in great condition.

If you're into physics ***
Dr. Hawking is one smart cookie and has sold more books on physics that Madonna has about sex. However, if you are like me and have never had a physics class, I would strongly recommend the "Illustrated Brief History of Time". The updates and illustrations make understanding the subjects easier. I would also recommend "The Universe in a Nutshell" over the original BHoT.

If you're into physics ***

Dr. Hawking is one smart cookie and has sold more books on physics that Madonna has about sex. However, if you are like me and have never had a physics class, I would strongly recommend the "Illustrated Brief History of Time". The updates and illustrations make understanding the subjects easier. I would also recommend "The Universe in a Nutshell" over the original BHoT.

Great Read for Everybody *****
One of my favourite books is A Brief History of Time, written by Stephen Hawking. This book is famous like its author. Its wonder lies in the fact that the forefront of physics is portrayed in laymen's terms. Thus the theories behind quantum mechanics, relativity, black holes, time travel, and wormholes can all be comprehended by the average person. Every time I pick up this paperback, I feel humbled by the grandeur of our mysterious universe. Needless to say, the origin of the universe may just provide a clue to the birth of life. Of all the theories described in the book, I was most intrigued by Einstein's special theory of relativity. Before the dawn of the 20th Century, the Michelson-Morley experiment was conducted to substantiate the existence of a substance called "ether." Instead, it created a shock wave for the entire scientific community. Throughout the next twenty years, numerous futile attempts were made to explain the surprising results of the experiment. In the end, it was Einstein's special theory of relativity that came to the rescue. A remarkable consequence of relativity is that it revolutionized our ideas of space and time. Before Einstein's heydays, Newtonian physics indicated that space was not absolute, meaning different observers of a moving object may conclude differently about the distance it travelled. However, time was always assumed to be absolute, i.e., different observers would always agree on the time it took an object to traverse through space. Einstein took Newton's theories and took a step back. He claimed that if one lets go of the idea of absolute time, then we need not "invent" the idea of ether. Nor would we be troubled by the Michelson-Morley experiment. The notion of absolute time, however, is so deeply engraved in our minds that even today, it is difficult to discard. Einstein went on to come up with unconventional predictions of how objects behave when they approach the speed of light. These imaginary experiments came to be known as Einstein's paradoxes. Perhaps the most famous one is the twins paradox: A twin steps on a spaceship and travels at the speed of light for 20 years according to his watch. When he returns to Earth, he will find that much more time has indeed elapsed during his absence and his twin brother is now 100 years older than him. You might find it hard to accept this outcome. That is why it is called a paradox in the first place. However, this is not so difficult any more if you think of time being relative. Einstein's brilliance in my opinion, lies not in his discovery of relativity, but the manner in which he did it. In order to reach his conclusions, he took a step back from well known physics principles. Instead of taking for granted the firmly-entrenched view that time was absolute, he chose to doubt it. In the end, he took a completely opposite stance. As a result, every road block baffling the scientific world then was instantly removed. Einstein's work prompted me to wonder whether we can always take our assumptions for granted. Sometimes, moving a step backwards and re-evaluating popular opinion is not a bad idea. Of course, to his credit, Einstein also applied immense creativity and ingenuity to secure the fantastic success that he enjoyed. Nonetheless, I will keep this lesson in mind on my quest for knowledge. [...]

Great Read for Everybody *****

One of my favourite books is A Brief History of Time, written by Stephen Hawking. This book is famous like its author. Its wonder lies in the fact that the forefront of physics is portrayed in laymen's terms. Thus the theories behind quantum mechanics, relativity, black holes, time travel, and wormholes can all be comprehended by the average person. Every time I pick up this paperback, I feel humbled by the grandeur of our mysterious universe. Needless to say, the origin of the universe may just provide a clue to the birth of life. Of all the theories described in the book, I was most intrigued by Einstein's special theory of relativity.

Before the dawn of the 20th Century, the Michelson-Morley experiment was conducted to substantiate the existence of a substance called "ether." Instead, it created a shock wave for the entire scientific community. Throughout the next twenty years, numerous futile attempts were made to explain the surprising results of the experiment. In the end, it was Einstein's special theory of relativity that came to the rescue.

A remarkable consequence of relativity is that it revolutionized our ideas of space and time. Before Einstein's heydays, Newtonian physics indicated that space was not absolute, meaning different observers of a moving object may conclude differently about the distance it travelled. However, time was always assumed to be absolute, i.e., different observers would always agree on the time it took an object to traverse through space. Einstein took Newton's theories and took a step back. He claimed that if one lets go of the idea of absolute time, then we need not "invent" the idea of ether. Nor would we be troubled by the Michelson-Morley experiment. The notion of absolute time, however, is so deeply engraved in our minds that even today, it is difficult to discard.

Einstein went on to come up with unconventional predictions of how objects behave when they approach the speed of light. These imaginary experiments came to be known as Einstein's paradoxes. Perhaps the most famous one is the twins paradox: A twin steps on a spaceship and travels at the speed of light for 20 years according to his watch. When he returns to Earth, he will find that much more time has indeed elapsed during his absence and his twin brother is now 100 years older than him. You might find it hard to accept this outcome. That is why it is called a paradox in the first place. However, this is not so difficult any more if you think of time being relative.

Einstein's brilliance in my opinion, lies not in his discovery of relativity, but the manner in which he did it. In order to reach his conclusions, he took a step back from well known physics principles. Instead of taking for granted the firmly-entrenched view that time was absolute, he chose to doubt it. In the end, he took a completely opposite stance. As a result, every road block baffling the scientific world then was instantly removed.

Einstein's work prompted me to wonder whether we can always take our assumptions for granted. Sometimes, moving a step backwards and re-evaluating popular opinion is not a bad idea. Of course, to his credit, Einstein also applied immense creativity and ingenuity to secure the fantastic success that he enjoyed. Nonetheless, I will keep this lesson in mind on my quest for knowledge.

[...]

Excellent Book *****
5 stars from me. This is an excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone, though you might have to read it more than once to fully understand the depth. After-all it is written by Stephen Hawking :)

Excellent Book *****

5 stars from me. This is an excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone, though you might have to read it more than once to fully understand the depth. After-all it is written by Stephen Hawking :)

Prompt and great quality! *****
I bought this as a used book expecting there to be some wear and tear, but it looks brand new! Great quality product and very prompt shipping.

Prompt and great quality! *****

I bought this as a used book expecting there to be some wear and tear, but it looks brand new! Great quality product and very prompt shipping.

An interesting read - but not the best on the subject ***
I'm reading this book 20+ years after its initial publication. I suspect that had I read it 20 years ago my reaction would have been Wow! that's incredibly interesting stuff and given it 5 stars. 20 years is a long time in quantum physics and so a lot of the material was familiar to me, and I think, Simon Singh, in the Big Bang: The Most Important Scientific Discovery of All Time and Why You Need to Know About it covers the same territory in a much more readable and enjoyable form. Still I learned some new stuff. I found out what quarks and gluons are. I'd heard of them but had no idea what they did. I even found out they (quarks) have up and down versions and come in different colours. I also found out why strings came and went and where all those other dimensions are hiding. I think Stephen Hawking made an admirable attempt to reach down from his lofty mental perch, he even injects a little humour from time to time. I felt that there seemed to be an undercurrent throughout the book that hinted at a possibility (or maybe probability would be a better word given the subject matter) of an uncertainty in the author's mind about the existence of God and his use of science to prove it one way or another. (God is the very last word of the final chapter) This book is very Hawking-centric. It touches on being autobiographical. It is very much about Hawking's views, ideas, opinions, research, mistakes, and changes of mind. So although it covers the historical information about people like Newton, Einstein, and many others, it seems that that information is provided only to put Hawking's own conclusions into context. In this respect I much prefer Big Bang because Singh's position is one of observer rather than participant. Though it is quite nice to have the 'horse's mouth' version in Brief History. If you are interested in Hawking's contribution to theoretical physics then I would encourage you to read this. If you simply want to know how quantum theory fits into the creation, existence, and evolution of the known universe - then are better books.

An interesting read - but not the best on the subject ***

I'm reading this book 20+ years after its initial publication. I suspect that had I read it 20 years ago my reaction would have been Wow! that's incredibly interesting stuff and given it 5 stars. 20 years is a long time in quantum physics and so a lot of the material was familiar to me, and I think, Simon Singh, in the Big Bang: The Most Important Scientific Discovery of All Time and Why You Need to Know About it covers the same territory in a much more readable and enjoyable form. Still I learned some new stuff. I found out what quarks and gluons are. I'd heard of them but had no idea what they did. I even found out they (quarks) have up and down versions and come in different colours. I also found out why strings came and went and where all those other dimensions are hiding.

I think Stephen Hawking made an admirable attempt to reach down from his lofty mental perch, he even injects a little humour from time to time. I felt that there seemed to be an undercurrent throughout the book that hinted at a possibility (or maybe probability would be a better word given the subject matter) of an uncertainty in the author's mind about the existence of God and his use of science to prove it one way or another. (God is the very last word of the final chapter)

This book is very Hawking-centric. It touches on being autobiographical. It is very much about Hawking's views, ideas, opinions, research, mistakes, and changes of mind. So although it covers the historical information about people like Newton, Einstein, and many others, it seems that that information is provided only to put Hawking's own conclusions into context. In this respect I much prefer Big Bang because Singh's position is one of observer rather than participant. Though it is quite nice to have the 'horse's mouth' version in Brief History.

If you are interested in Hawking's contribution to theoretical physics then I would encourage you to read this. If you simply want to know how quantum theory fits into the creation, existence, and evolution of the known universe - then are better books.

Enjoyable read *****
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its very well written and Stephen Hawking does his best to explain things to the layman. I think its suitable for anyone who has an interest in the subject. I especially enjoyed the chapters on Black Holes. I did find the last two chapters a bit difficult, so perhaps the general reader ought to buy his "Briefer History of Time" which I understand is an updated and easier to follow version. There are some very good illustrations in the later book too.

Enjoyable read *****

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its very well written and Stephen Hawking does his best to explain things to the layman. I think its suitable for anyone who has an interest in the subject. I especially enjoyed the chapters on Black Holes. I did find the last two chapters a bit difficult, so perhaps the general reader ought to buy his "Briefer History of Time" which I understand is an updated and easier to follow version. There are some very good illustrations in the later book too.

Interesting & Thought Provoking *****
okay so this book is for the lay person. I have always been interested in physics. I play it in my car as I travel to and from work. I don't understand everything but over time you never know. I am enjoying it.

Interesting & Thought Provoking *****

okay so this book is for the lay person. I have always been interested in physics. I play it in my car as I travel to and from work. I don't understand everything but over time you never know. I am enjoying it.

fast dispatch, good quality reading *****
havent finished reading it yet!!!! but wanted to read it and try it..heard so much...

fast dispatch, good quality reading *****

havent finished reading it yet!!!! but wanted to read it and try it..heard so much...

Great content, not great style ****
I am a first year undergraduate physics student and this book is one of the ones that really got me in to physics. The idea covered and the questions raised are deep and interesting, and the topics are covered at a fairly natural pace for somebody who is intelligent enough to be able to understand all the concepts covered. The reason this book loses a mark is for the writing style. The paragraphs are to long and the writing doesn't really flow in the way that other good cosmology books do. Hawking also neglects to use SI form for his numbers (i.e 10^12 rather than "one thousand billion") which, in all honesty, would be fairly easily explained to somebody who is then going to go on and understand the rest of the book. He also seems to make a special effort to include God in his theories, which would be alright if it seemed natural, but in this case it seems bolted on so as to avoid controversy. All in all a cracking book, but let down a bit by the authors style.

Great content, not great style ****

I am a first year undergraduate physics student and this book is one of the ones that really got me in to physics. The idea covered and the questions raised are deep and interesting, and the topics are covered at a fairly natural pace for somebody who is intelligent enough to be able to understand all the concepts covered.

The reason this book loses a mark is for the writing style. The paragraphs are to long and the writing doesn't really flow in the way that other good cosmology books do. Hawking also neglects to use SI form for his numbers (i.e 10^12 rather than "one thousand billion") which, in all honesty, would be fairly easily explained to somebody who is then going to go on and understand the rest of the book.

He also seems to make a special effort to include God in his theories, which would be alright if it seemed natural, but in this case it seems bolted on so as to avoid controversy.

All in all a cracking book, but let down a bit by the authors style.

History of Time *****
Like some other reviewers, it took a few tries spaced a few years apart to finally get through it. If you try this book keep in mind that it's targetted to give someone with little more than highschool math and physics a gereral understanding of some pretty complex topics; relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, etc. This book actually does a pretty good job off doing that. For some it will fly over their head, others will want more detail, but Hawking has sold millions of copies of this book because the level of detail and complexeity of discussions are about right.

History of Time *****

Like some other reviewers, it took a few tries spaced a few years apart to finally get through it. If you try this book keep in mind that it's targetted to give someone with little more than highschool math and physics a gereral understanding of some pretty complex topics; relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, etc. This book actually does a pretty good job off doing that. For some it will fly over their head, others will want more detail, but Hawking has sold millions of copies of this book because the level of detail and complexeity of discussions are about right.

Great Book *****
This book provides an excellent description of the history of physics and the current status of physics. Hawking is quite good at making extremely complicated subjects (such as quantum theory) comprehensible for the average person, although some topics could have been explained a bit better. It is also quite interesting to be reading it from Hawkings perspective because he adds a personal touch to the subject and often includes details about his own research in certain areas of physics. The book often talks about God / a creator and how it might tie in with the beginning of the universe and other aspects of physics, but Hawking never shows any bias towards or against religion; he only talks about it in a purely scientific manner (for example, he explains why some scientific theories about the beginning of the universe actually need a creator in order for them to make sense). Overall it was a very interesting read and I highly recommend it.

Great Book *****

This book provides an excellent description of the history of physics and the current status of physics. Hawking is quite good at making extremely complicated subjects (such as quantum theory) comprehensible for the average person, although some topics could have been explained a bit better. It is also quite interesting to be reading it from Hawkings perspective because he adds a personal touch to the subject and often includes details about his own research in certain areas of physics. The book often talks about God / a creator and how it might tie in with the beginning of the universe and other aspects of physics, but Hawking never shows any bias towards or against religion; he only talks about it in a purely scientific manner (for example, he explains why some scientific theories about the beginning of the universe actually need a creator in order for them to make sense).

Overall it was a very interesting read and I highly recommend it.

a pleasure to read *****
Many years after its initial release, this book is still a great pleasure to read. Written in a conversational tone, much of it is probably readily understandable to most readers. However, some parts of it, especially toward the end, aren't exactly simple by any means. Any curious reader, even if not particularly interested in physics or astronomy, will find this little book to be a gem. An extra treat is a few pages at the end describing prominent events from the lives of Einstein, Galileo, and Newton. Highly recommended read. Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.

a pleasure to read *****

Many years after its initial release, this book is still a great pleasure to read. Written in a conversational tone, much of it is probably readily understandable to most readers. However, some parts of it, especially toward the end, aren't exactly simple by any means. Any curious reader, even if not particularly interested in physics or astronomy, will find this little book to be a gem. An extra treat is a few pages at the end describing prominent events from the lives of Einstein, Galileo, and Newton. Highly recommended read. Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.

A Brilliant Summary of Scientific and Intellectual History Leading to Adonai *****
Dr. Hawking takes the reader gently through some of the most complex thoughts and theories that have ever "sprung [alive] from the mind of man". He traces the beginning of time back to one second after the "Big Bang" or Creation and follows through to the probable end of time, or the "Big Crunch". From nothing, to nothing as Moses and the Prophets said. His logic and sense of proportion are unerring and his intellectual honesty is almost unprecedented for a theorist of such immense stature. His thinking points toward the Creator God and under girds the argument for Intelligent Design. Finally I now understand how the "Matter/Antimatter" power plant found on the Star Treck Enterprise would work if it were possible.

A Brilliant Summary of Scientific and Intellectual History Leading to Adonai *****

Dr. Hawking takes the reader gently through some of the most complex thoughts and theories that have ever "sprung [alive] from the mind of man". He traces the beginning of time back to one second after the "Big Bang" or Creation and follows through to the probable end of time, or the "Big Crunch". From nothing, to nothing as Moses and the Prophets said. His logic and sense of proportion are unerring and his intellectual honesty is almost unprecedented for a theorist of such immense stature. His thinking points toward the Creator God and under girds the argument for Intelligent Design. Finally I now understand how the "Matter/Antimatter" power plant found on the Star Treck Enterprise would work if it were possible.

Excellent Introduction for the Curious Mind *****
For anybody who does not have sufficient knowledge to read some of Hawking's more complex writings, this is the perfect book to get started on. It introduces you to the concepts of astrophysics, in which are explained very well. Stephen Hawking uses humor and everyday scenarios to explain some difficult concepts of astrophysics. It is a great way to simply expand your knowledge by understanding the big bang, quantum mechanics, and even sub-atomic particles. Stephen Hawking is an excellent writer, not to mention the Albert Einstein of our time; he makes this book almost seem like a novel more than a non-fiction book. I highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, because it introduces you to astrophysics, as well as just answering questions regarding time travel, or where we came from.

Excellent Introduction for the Curious Mind *****

For anybody who does not have sufficient knowledge to read some of Hawking's more complex writings, this is the perfect book to get started on. It introduces you to the concepts of astrophysics, in which are explained very well. Stephen Hawking uses humor and everyday scenarios to explain some difficult concepts of astrophysics. It is a great way to simply expand your knowledge by understanding the big bang, quantum mechanics, and even sub-atomic particles. Stephen Hawking is an excellent writer, not to mention the Albert Einstein of our time; he makes this book almost seem like a novel more than a non-fiction book. I highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, because it introduces you to astrophysics, as well as just answering questions regarding time travel, or where we came from.