Hawking and Black Holes: The Big Idea [Paperback]

Paul Strathern (Author)

Book Description

Series: Big Idea | Publication Date: July 13, 1998

Stephen Hawking is arguably the most famous scientist in the world, and many of us may know that black holes are his forte, but do we really have any idea what a black hole is? In this remarkably engaging book, Paul Strathern not only demystifies Hawking's universe-expanding theories, but helps readers appreciate why such knowledge is essential for anyone who wants to more fully understand the world around them.Just a few of the big ideas featured in Hawking & Black Holes are: how the universe originated and what this has to do with black holes how the big bang actually worked why black holes aren't actually black Is a Unified Theory of Everything possible (the ultimate Big Idea)?

Hawking & Black Holes also portrays the iron-willed determination of a man who continues to search for the key to understanding the cosmos, despite the devastating effects of motor neuron disease. Brilliantly simplifying the most complex ideas, Hawking & Black Holes will help you grasp the universe in ways you never thought possible.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two volumes are the first in a new series of Anchor paperback originals devoted to brief biographies of noted scientists. They are evidently aimed at lay readers, and their presentation is basic enough to be accessible to high school students. Athough the vivid writing incorporates humorous touches, so much attention is given over to the personal lives and psychology of the subjects that little space is left to expound on their "big ideas." In addition, Strathern (Aristotle in 90 Minutes, LJ 11/1/96) displays at times an almost flippant attitude toward factual accuracy in the historical parts of his discussion. The fundamental concept of this series is very promising, as library patrons can always use high-quality popularizations, but its implementation in these first two volumes is disappointing on the whole.?Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

Stephen Hawking is arguably the most famous scientist in the world, and many of us may know that black holes are his forte, but do we really have any idea what a black hole is? In this remarkably engaging book, Paul Strathern not only demystifies Hawking's universe-expanding theories, but helps readers appreciate why such knowledge is essential for anyone who wants to more fully understand the world around them.Just a few of the big ideas featured in Hawking & Black Holes are: how the universe originated and what this has to do with black holes how the big bang actually worked why black holes aren't actually black Is a Unified Theory of Everything possible (the ultimate Big Idea)?

Hawking & Black Holes also portrays the iron-willed determination of a man who continues to search for the key to understanding the cosmos, despite the devastating effects of motor neuron disease. Brilliantly simplifying the most complex ideas, Hawking & Black Holes will help you grasp the universe in ways you never thought possible.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1st Anchor Books ed edition (July 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385492421
• ISBN-13: 978-0385492423
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > Science & Technology > Astronomy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strathern Tackles Science & Scientists, September 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawking and Black Holes: The Big Idea (Paperback)

Paul Strathern, author of the outstanding Philosophers in 90 Minutes series, hits the mark once more in a series about scientists. In this work, he gives the reader a comprehensive yet brief overview of Stephen Hawking's life & works. Strathern, as usual, is entertaining, informative & funny. Strathern cuts through the vernacular & brings the subject matter in plain, direct language. This book is definately a winner!

4.0 out of 5 stars Hawking and Black Holes, April 24, 2010

By 

Clyde D. Willson (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hawking and Black Holes: The Big Idea (Paperback)

"Hawking and Black Holes" is one title in the "Big Idea" series, by the British writer/philosopher Paul Strathern. All of the titles in this series have been of interest to me, and some of them have also been professionally useful because I am a science teacher. I can also recommend a book by Strathern which is not in the Big Idea series; it is called "Mendeleev's Dream", and concerns the creation of the Periodic Table.