Stephen Hawking is arguably the most famous physicist since Albert Einstein. His decades-long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), combined with his singular brilliance as a cosmologist, has fascinated both the public and his colleagues in science. In this engagingly written biography, Kristine Larsen, a physicist and astronomer herself, presents a candid and insightful portrait of Hawking's personal and professional life. Avoiding the hero-worship sometimes found in popular works on Hawking, Larsen emphasises that Hawking is first and foremost a scientist whose work has made significant contributions to our understanding of the nature and origins of the universe.Writing in non-technical language for the lay reader, Larsen clearly explains Hawking's complex scientific accomplishments, while telling the story of his challenging life. The topics include Hawking's early lack of focus as a college student; the impact of ALS on his career and personal life; his groundbreaking work on radiating black holes; his later cutting-edge theories of black holes, cosmology, and the anthropic principle; the amazing publishing success of "A Brief History of Time"; and his status as a pop icon and spokesperson for the interplay of science and society. Larsen situates Hawking's sometimes-controversial work within the broader context of scientific peer review and public debate, and discusses his personal life with compassion, respect, and honesty.
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"His devilishly complex cosmological theories are handled engagingly in accessible language for the lay reader.... [T]his is a touching portrait that will grace any bookshelf." -- Astronomy Now
Book Description
An accessible biography on the life and work of one of the most famous and influential scientists of the last forty years, Stephen Hawking.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From Hawking's early lack of focus as a college student to the evolution of his groundbreaking work,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Stephen Hawking: A Biography (Paperback)
Kristine Larsen's STEPHEN HAWKING: A BIOGRAPHY comes from a physicist and astronomer who examines noted physicist Stephen Hawkins' personal and professional life, emphasizing his contributions, his life, and his special physical challenges. From Hawking's early lack of focus as a college student to the evolution of his groundbreaking work, this biographical coverage is key reading for any interested in correlating his science with his life.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book,
By Bob (South Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stephen Hawking: A Biography (Paperback)
This is a very good book about one of the most brilliant mind of our time. It is a fascinating insight into Hawking's life. It is inspirational in that with all he has and is going through personally, he is still a major force in the field of Physics.
Very well written.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lifting the curtain......,
By Jeffntn (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Stephen Hawking: A Biography (Paperback)
Lifts the curtain on Stephen Hawkings life, see his human side, that he's just like everyone else, but, Hawkings is nothing like anyone else. A brilliant mind, seething with a tsunami of knowledge, wisdom, and theory.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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big hang model, black hole mechanics, baby universes, thermodynamic arrow, primordial black holes, false vacuum, new inflation, inflationary cosmology, imaginary time, true vacuum Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Stephen Hawking, New York, Move the Stars, Brief History of Time, Bantam Books, Cambridge University Press, Kip Thorne, Physical Review, Roger Penrose, Dennis Sciama, Jane Hawking, Royal Society, Larry King, Pan Books, Star Trek, University of California, Albert Einstein, Frank Hawking, Judy Fella, Reader's Companion, University College, Carl Sagan, Fred Hoyle, Jim Hartle, Los Angeles New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
big hang model, black hole mechanics, baby universes, thermodynamic arrow, primordial black holes, false vacuum, new inflation, inflationary cosmology, imaginary time, true vacuum Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Stephen Hawking, New York, Move the Stars, Brief History of Time, Bantam Books, Cambridge University Press, Kip Thorne, Physical Review, Roger Penrose, Dennis Sciama, Jane Hawking, Royal Society, Larry King, Pan Books, Star Trek, University of California, Albert Einstein, Frank Hawking, Judy Fella, Reader's Companion, University College, Carl Sagan, Fred Hoyle, Jim Hartle, Los Angeles New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 45
books:
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7
books
cite this book:
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- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking on 24 pages
- The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen William Hawking on 10 pages
- Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays by Stephen W. Hawking on 7 pages
- Stephen Hawking A Life in Science by Michael White on 4 pages
- The Nature of Space and Time by Stephen Hawking on page 52, page 99, and Back Matter
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- Jane Goodall: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) by Meg Greene in Front Matter
- Bill Russell: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) by Murry R. Nelson in Front Matter
- Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) by Jacqueline Edmondson in Front Matter
- Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality by Dr. Ronald L. Mallett in Back Matter
- Cesar Chavez: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) by Roger A. Bruns in Front Matter
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