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A Brief History of Time Paperback – Unabridged, September 1, 1998

by Stephen Hawking (Author)

1,850 customer reviews

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A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawking’s book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe begin—and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unending—or are there boundaries? Are there other dimensions in space? What will happen when it all ends?

Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and “arrows of time,” of the big bang and a bigger God—where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history, wrote the modern classic A Brief History of Time to help nonscientists understand the questions being asked by scientists today: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if so, how? Hawking attempts to reveal these questions (and where we're looking for answers) using a minimum of technical jargon. Among the topics gracefully covered are gravity, black holes, the Big Bang, the nature of time, and physicists' search for a grand unifying theory. This is deep science; these concepts are so vast (or so tiny) as to cause vertigo while reading, and one can't help but marvel at Hawking's ability to synthesize this difficult subject for people not used to thinking about things like alternate dimensions. The journey is certainly worth taking, for, as Hawking says, the reward of understanding the universe may be a glimpse of "the mind of God." --Therese Littleton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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“[Hawking] can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit. . . . His is a brain of extraordinary power.”—The New York Review of Books

“This book marries a child’s wonder to a genius’s intellect. We journey into Hawking’s universe while marvelling at his mind.”—The Sunday Times (London)

“Masterful.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Charming and lucid . . . [A book of] sunny brilliance.”—The New Yorker

“Lively and provocative . . . Mr. Hawking clearly possesses a natural teacher’s gifts—easy, good-natured humor and an ability to illustrate highly complex propositions with analogies plucked from daily life.”—The New York Times

“Even as he sits helpless in his wheelchair, his mind seems to soar ever more brilliantly across the vastness of space and time to unlock the secrets of the universe.”—Time

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Product details

Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 10th Anniversary edition (September 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553380168
ISBN-13: 978-0553380163
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 1,850 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Relativity
- #4 in Books > Science & Math > Astronomy & Space Science > Cosmology
- #7 in Books > Science & Math > Astronomy & Space Science > Astronomy

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Brilliantly Clear

ByMichaelbon July 10, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Hawking's book is very clear and despite the complexity of the subject understandable to a person like me who has not had a science lesson in his life. It is true that I had to read a few sections a few times until I got it, but that is not his fault but rather my ignorance. I also like the way he slips through the theologically tricky parts of our present knowledge, where others have been truly dogmatic and unpleasantly partisan. About the most comprehensive book on cosmology I have read. Since 1996 I am sure that much has happened and many new discoveries made. I cannot help wondering what he would say about the implications of the discovery of Higgs Boson. It is a fascinating read and particularly useful for getting a broad grasp of the subject. I now look forward to getting myself more up to date.

0Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

but Hawking does a great job of making it about as understandable as it ...

ByBrett Johnsonon March 30, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I imagine it's hard to write about such complicated material as the laws of physics, but Hawking does a great job of making it about as understandable as it can be. That said, this is still a rather dense book that takes a good amount of focus to comprehend (and even then, following Hawking's explanations and comprehending the laws of physics are not the same thing). What's great about it is that the book allows readers to have an intellectual interchange with the information. Much of physics is indefinite, and Hawking has no delusions about the fact that there is an astronomical amount of knowledge still to be discovered about the universe, so readers can easily interact with the text, asking questions and making comments and thinking through concepts. Readers are invited to think critically about the concepts, because who's to say that some average Joe or Jane couldn't have a stroke of inspiration, an thought that could start a path to a new discovery about the universe? Hawking's book is great because it goes a long way towards making some of the most complicated concepts accessible to anyone who's willing to think about them.

Also, Hawking is able to adeptly toe the line between science and religion, finding a balance that considers both sides, and making it easy to see how the two can coincide. Because they can, right? If we let them?

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But I am glad that I read this book as a primer to ...

ByK. R., Lindon October 28, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I am only sorry that it took me so long to read this book. The book contains a wealth of basic information to help you understand science's view of just how our universe might have been put together. For a layman such as myself, it is a bit of a stretch to wrap your mind around the concept that that Hawkins presents here. However, the clarity of the presentation makes comprehension of the complex concepts presented much easier then it might have been. There are a number of more recent books by Hawkins and others on the subject. But I am glad that I read this book as a primer to reading those. If you have not read this book, I highly remirecommend that you do. There are many good reasons why this is one of the most popular books on science ever written.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Yes, I think the book is understandable for a lesser creature such as myself. And I worry about the Universe.

ByA worried Alfred E. Neumanon February 9, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Started it. I like his style. I love the subject. I respect his work and him as a scientist who like some other types I could name do not change their minds when they have overwhelming evidence contrary to their doctrines. I like materialistic, scientific, critical thinking mammals who can change their minds when new evidence surfaces and pursue only the truth, reality.

I do not intend to be in any way cruel or demeaning,In no way do I intend to be disrespectful of the courage and struggle this man has endured and I do believe he is known for his sense of humor but... when I see his picture on the book cover I think of Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

I love to have the wonders of the universe explained to me by someone who does not require me to do the math. I'll trust him.

I refuse to see current movie on his life. Hollywood is like the Eskimo mother who chews the whale meat for her child to eat. Only after Hollywood

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A very human explanation

ByVincent Staraceon September 15, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Stephen Hawking takes a fascinating but incredibly complicated subject and breaks it down. While he clearly has brilliant mind he does not forget that some of us do not. He speaks to us all. Everyone should read this at least once.

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MODERN PHYSICS WITHOUT EQUATIONS

ByTom H. Fouldson April 28, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Wonderful explanations and illustrations Plain everyday English without mathematiics. Requires intense concentration and re-reading some sections to fully grasp the concepts. I've been able to master only 50% so far. Would probably be much easier for someone smarter.

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Perfecr gift for my budding young scientist

ByElizabethon May 14, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My teenage son loves science so he was excited to get this for his birthday. This book is a standard for anyone interested in science or learning. When trying to choose a book for him I felt like I couldn't go wrong with this classic.

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The Theory of Creation in Brief

ByEdon March 10, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is an excellent description of the events constituting the way our universe came into existence the way it looks today. Dr. Hawking is a brilliant mathematician and could easily overwhelm his reader's with all the scientific terminology but doesn't. He describes all the significant events leading up to our present day universe in easy-to-understand layman's terms. I read and reread his "Brief History of Time" in conjunction with the Holy Bible and found it to be quite complementary if one does not take the six days of creation too literally. I could easily substitute the word "phase" for "day" and not find serious disagreement.

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Five Stars

ALL GOOD

Published 8 hours ago by Ray

History of Time - A great Into into Astrophysics

Great book. Give insight into man's ego-centric prejudices and how they affect our creativity and reasoning.

Published 9 days ago by Michael S. Jackson

Four Stars

Great Book!

Published 11 days ago by Miguel

Five Stars

One of the best books for non-physicists to understand the mechanisms of our universe.

Published 12 days ago by Paraskevakos G.

he is happy

For my son, he is happy

Published 17 days ago by Gloria

BOOK REVIEW

Not an easy read, but a good read.

Published 17 days ago by Randy Omdahl

Understandig universe is hard, so is this book

Is a great book which gives you a big but detailed picture of the understandig we have about the universe, but it's not for everyone.Read more

Published 21 days ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

The book is very good.

Published 22 days ago by Bùi Huy Thắng

Hard Going

Tedious. No doubt I'm just not intelligent enough...

Published 23 days ago by READER

Five Stars

Husband likes this book

Published 25 days ago by LawyerLady

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