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

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 26,675 ratings

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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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Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

Wall Street Journal says, “A masterful summary of what physicists now think the world is made of”
The New Yorker says, “Charming and lucid… A book of sunny brilliance.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[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

From the Inside Flap

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 details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0553380168
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam; 10th anniversary edition (September 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 212 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780553380163
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553380163
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1290L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.97 x 0.64 x 8.94 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 26,675 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Hawking
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Stephen Hawking's ability to make science understandable and compelling to a lay audience was established with the publication of his first book, A Brief History of Time, which has sold nearly 10 million copies in 40 languages. Hawking has authored or participated in the creation of numerous other popular science books, including The Universe in a Nutshell, A Briefer History of Time, On the Shoulders of Giants, The Illustrated On the Shoulders of Giants, and George's Secret Key to the Universe.

(Stephen William Hawking; Oxford, Reino Unido, 8 de Enero de 1942 - Cambridge, 14 de marzo de 2018) Físico teórico británico. A pesar de sus discapacidades físicas y de las progresivas limitaciones impuestas por la enfermedad degenerativa que padecía, Stephen William Hawking es probablemente el físico más conocido entre el gran público desde los tiempos de Einstein. Luchador y triunfador, a lo largo de toda su vida logró sortear la inmensidad de impedimentos que le planteó el mal de Lou Gehrig, una esclerosis lateral amiotrófica que le aquejaba desde que tenía 20 años. Hawking es, sin duda, un ejemplo particular de vitalidad y resistencia frente al infortunio del destino.

Fue miembro de la Real Sociedad de Londres, de la Academia Pontificia de las Ciencias y de la Academia Nacional de Ciencias de Estados Unidos. Fue titular de la Cátedra Lucasiana de Matemáticas (Lucasian Chair of Mathematics) de la Universidad de Cambridge desde 1979 hasta su jubilación en 2009. Entre las numerosas distinciones que le han sido concedidas, Hawking ha sido honrado con doce doctorados honoris causa y ha sido galardonado con la Orden del Imperio Británico (grado CBE) en 1982, el Premio Príncipe de Asturias de la Concordia en 1989, la Medalla Copley en 2006, la Medalla de la Libertad en 2009 y el Premio Fundación BBVA Fronteras del Conocimiento en 2015.

Alcanzó éxitos de ventas con sus trabajos divulgativos sobre Ciencia, en los que discute sobre sus propias teorías y la cosmología en general; estos incluyen A Brief History of Time, que estuvo en la lista de best-sellers del The Sunday Times británico durante 237 semanas.

La Editorial Alvi Books le dedicó, como tributo y reconocimiento, este espacio en Amazon en 2016.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
26,675 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book well-written with enough brief explanations to explain the subject matter quite well. They also say it presents interesting information about the world around them. Readers also mention the author is funny and witty at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

852 customers mention "Readability"731 positive121 negative

Customers find the book well-written, with enough brief explanations to explain the subject matter quite well. They appreciate the analogies and examples that help novice science buffs learn. Readers also say the author has done a great job describing theories like general relativity and quantum mechanics.

"...This groundbreaking book captivates with its clear, accessible explanations of complex concepts such as black holes, the big bang, and relativity...." Read more

"...attempt to communicate complex science to the general public is written in a clear, almost elementary style, at least initially...." Read more

"...More than that, the book contains interesting stories of some Nobel Prize winners in physics with their results related to the mentioned fundamental..." Read more

"...The book effortlessly walks you through theories of relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, and the Big Bang Theory, among others...." Read more

310 customers mention "Educational value"285 positive25 negative

Customers find the book informative and explanatory. They say it presents a lot of interesting information about the world around us. Readers also appreciate the great rundown of philosophers and later scientists as they came to understand. Overall, they describe the book as the perfect scientific book to read.

"...Thus far, it seems like the perfect scientific book to read – it’s light, clever, and even funny at times...." Read more

"...What sets this book apart is its ability to transcend typical scientific discourse, presenting theories not just as scholarly facts but as dynamic,..." Read more

"...: 8.5/10 - A riveting journey through the cosmos that challenges, enlightens, and awakens the star-gazer in us all...." Read more

"...Very interesting chapters on worm holes, black holes, and time travel and the impossibility of a spaceship going faster than light speed...." Read more

35 customers mention "Humor"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book considerable, witty, and playful. They also say it's upbeat and interesting.

"...the perfect scientific book to read – it’s light, clever, and even funny at times...." Read more

"...What I liked most was Hawking's writing style where he inserts both humour where required..." Read more

"...to be, I nevertheless found this classic book fascinating and genuinely funny in parts...." Read more

"...He has a good since of humor as he presents the constant struggles of the great thinkers of their time to correct the misconceptions of the status..." Read more

32 customers mention "Era"26 positive6 negative

Customers find the book interesting, saying it's a good historical presentation of the progress of thinking on this subject. They also say it's entertaining and structured. Readers mention the book is a classic and a must-read.

"...The end of the book is great with short bibliographies on the big 3 scientists Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, and Issac Newton...." Read more

"...Hawking provides an entertaining and structured summary of the (then-current) understanding of the cosmos with a non-mathematical approach directed..." Read more

"...Author has done an excellent job for those chapters and I enjoyed reading them...." Read more

"...These are great reasons to reread this classic work, which has to be one of the finest in the history of science." Read more

15 customers mention "Value for money"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the book. They say it's of good quality for a cheap price.

"...Eventhough the book was used but the price was very affordable. The only thing the shipment charge was much more than the price of the book...." Read more

"...It's worth a try though, is generally well written, and has some value even if you can't follow what it says." Read more

"Book was like new, great price, and arrived quickly!" Read more

"...The vendor sent me the book I ordered at a very good price. I can't complain about the vendor at all. The content of the book?..." Read more

25 customers mention "Interest"9 positive16 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some mention it's easy to understand and light in the information it provides, while others say it's not interesting enough to retain their attention.

"...However, I found that getting to the actual information was a boring and tedious process...." Read more

"...Not sure how to put all three thoughts together! The book is brief if compared to War and Peace!..." Read more

"...I found the book hard to hold my attention at times" Read more

"...beginning, but right in the middle it becomes very boring and frustrating. Why?..." Read more

A Gateway to the Cosmos
5 out of 5 stars
A Gateway to the Cosmos
Stephen Hawking’s "A Brief History of Time" stands as a beacon of scientific literacy, bringing the wonders of the universe to readers who may have little to no background in science. This groundbreaking book captivates with its clear, accessible explanations of complex concepts such as black holes, the big bang, and relativity. Hawking masterfully simplifies these vast and intricate subjects without diluting their awe-inspiring qualities, making it a delightful read for the curious mind.What sets this book apart is its ability to transcend typical scientific discourse, presenting theories not just as scholarly facts but as dynamic, pulsating stories that invite wonder and exploration. The reader is taken on a journey through the cosmos, exploring the fundamental questions of existence and our place within it. This is enhanced by Hawking's thoughtful prose that, while deeply informative, remains engaging and surprisingly light.This edition is well-structured, with each chapter building on the previous, ensuring a coherent flow that aids understanding. The inclusion of diagrams and illustrations helps clarify topics that might otherwise seem daunting, and the quality of the book’s binding and presentation aligns with its excellent content.For anyone looking to dip their toes into the vast ocean of astrophysics and cosmology without feeling overwhelmed, "A Brief History of Time" is a perfect starting point. It serves as a wonderful gift for a budding scientist or any reader with a thirst for knowledge about the universe’s mysteries."A Brief History of Time" is more than just a book; it is an invitation to think deeply about the universe and our spectacular place within it. Stephen Hawking’s legacy as a brilliant mind and communicator shines brightly in these pages, making this work a must-read that is sure to ignite a lasting passion for science.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time is undoubtedly one of the classic casual scientific texts one should read to be well aware of the world around them and how it came to be. The author, an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, seamlessly places the reader in the shoes of a student while diving deep into the questions we have always wondered but have never had the craving to research on our own time. Beginning with the relative basics of discoveries in the past centuries, Stephen Hawking explains in great detail the logic and reasoning behind the evolution of the human understanding of the universe. After getting the base knowledge out of the way, the book quickly dives deeper and deeper into theoretical possibilities and the observations which back them up. Due to the vagueness of the topic, the author helps readers visualize and truly understand the concepts that are being discussed with similes and analogies which relate to the real, observable world and the everyday life of the audience. When talking about the steps that must be taken for a star to transition into a black hole, Stephen Hawking connects the complex series of reasoning to a simple image, helping the reader visualize the theory: “It is a bit like a balloon---there is a balance between the pressure of the air inside, which is trying to make the balloon expand, and the tension of the rubber, which is trying to make the balloon smaller” (85). As a reader, such a vivid comparison makes the discussion of “sufficient gravitational attraction” seem a whole lot simpler and manageable to wrap your head around. Moreover, the lighthearted remarks which are tossed in throughout the text keeps you entertained and encourages you to continue reading, maybe not for the theories Hawking talks about but rather for his clever jokes which connect the material which was just discussed. During his discussion of elementary particles (matter and antimatter), the author includes a lighthearted remark which more or less summarizes the material that was just discussed: “However, if you meet your antiself, don’t shake hands! You would both vanish in a great flash of light” (71). The passage before this comment became complicated and very confusing to follow, however, after reading that joke, I couldn’t help myself but to turn a few pages back and reread his theory – all of this to understand his clever remark.
Thus far, it seems like the perfect scientific book to read – it’s light, clever, and even funny at times. Yet, some parts of the text became extremely complex and impossible to follow. It didn’t help that the author expected the audience to have prior knowledge of the historical events which connect with the theories being discussed: “In fact bursts of gamma rays from space have been detected by satellites originally constructed to look for violations of the Test Ban Treaty” (115). While knowing exactly what the treaty was about is not directly necessary for a comprehension of the ideas in the book, it would undoubtedly be more helpful if a quick snippet of historical information was included in the text. The complexity of the theory’s descriptions, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. Stephen Hawking included an abundance of analogies and explained the complicated concepts of wormholes in as simple of language as possible. The issue is not with the author and the writing style – the subject itself makes it challenging to follow the ideas on the paper. If the idea of having to reread the same paragraph multiple times upsets you – A Brief History of Time is definitely not the book for you.
All in all this is an outstanding scientific text, a classic even. The depth of the material that is being discussed in a syntax which an average teenager can understand is unbelievable at times. This book will answer the questions (and raise just as many new ones) you always had about anything to do with universe topics which are never discussed with the general public So, should you read this book? Heck yes.
46 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
Stephen Hawking’s "A Brief History of Time" stands as a beacon of scientific literacy, bringing the wonders of the universe to readers who may have little to no background in science. This groundbreaking book captivates with its clear, accessible explanations of complex concepts such as black holes, the big bang, and relativity. Hawking masterfully simplifies these vast and intricate subjects without diluting their awe-inspiring qualities, making it a delightful read for the curious mind.

What sets this book apart is its ability to transcend typical scientific discourse, presenting theories not just as scholarly facts but as dynamic, pulsating stories that invite wonder and exploration. The reader is taken on a journey through the cosmos, exploring the fundamental questions of existence and our place within it. This is enhanced by Hawking's thoughtful prose that, while deeply informative, remains engaging and surprisingly light.

This edition is well-structured, with each chapter building on the previous, ensuring a coherent flow that aids understanding. The inclusion of diagrams and illustrations helps clarify topics that might otherwise seem daunting, and the quality of the book’s binding and presentation aligns with its excellent content.

For anyone looking to dip their toes into the vast ocean of astrophysics and cosmology without feeling overwhelmed, "A Brief History of Time" is a perfect starting point. It serves as a wonderful gift for a budding scientist or any reader with a thirst for knowledge about the universe’s mysteries.

"A Brief History of Time" is more than just a book; it is an invitation to think deeply about the universe and our spectacular place within it. Stephen Hawking’s legacy as a brilliant mind and communicator shines brightly in these pages, making this work a must-read that is sure to ignite a lasting passion for science.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Gateway to the Cosmos
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
Stephen Hawking’s "A Brief History of Time" stands as a beacon of scientific literacy, bringing the wonders of the universe to readers who may have little to no background in science. This groundbreaking book captivates with its clear, accessible explanations of complex concepts such as black holes, the big bang, and relativity. Hawking masterfully simplifies these vast and intricate subjects without diluting their awe-inspiring qualities, making it a delightful read for the curious mind.

What sets this book apart is its ability to transcend typical scientific discourse, presenting theories not just as scholarly facts but as dynamic, pulsating stories that invite wonder and exploration. The reader is taken on a journey through the cosmos, exploring the fundamental questions of existence and our place within it. This is enhanced by Hawking's thoughtful prose that, while deeply informative, remains engaging and surprisingly light.

This edition is well-structured, with each chapter building on the previous, ensuring a coherent flow that aids understanding. The inclusion of diagrams and illustrations helps clarify topics that might otherwise seem daunting, and the quality of the book’s binding and presentation aligns with its excellent content.

For anyone looking to dip their toes into the vast ocean of astrophysics and cosmology without feeling overwhelmed, "A Brief History of Time" is a perfect starting point. It serves as a wonderful gift for a budding scientist or any reader with a thirst for knowledge about the universe’s mysteries.

"A Brief History of Time" is more than just a book; it is an invitation to think deeply about the universe and our spectacular place within it. Stephen Hawking’s legacy as a brilliant mind and communicator shines brightly in these pages, making this work a must-read that is sure to ignite a lasting passion for science.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Far more accessible than I imagined
Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2024
I had not read this when it was published in 1988, and assumed it was a coffee-table book that everyone bought but no-one actually read.
Instead I found it well-written, explaining concepts in modern cosmology well to a lay readership - or at least to one with a basic grasp of science.
This edition was updated in 2017 to include recent discoveries.
Ancelmo Castro
5.0 out of 5 stars Obra prima!!! Linguagem simples e clara, além de ser muito bem ilustrado.
Reviewed in Brazil on February 23, 2023
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 A arte gráfica é muito bonita! Uma obra prima obrigatória em qualquer residência do planeta...
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Ancelmo Castro
5.0 out of 5 stars Obra prima!!! Linguagem simples e clara, além de ser muito bem ilustrado.
Reviewed in Brazil on February 23, 2023
A arte gráfica é muito bonita! Uma obra prima obrigatória em qualquer residência do planeta...
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Jace
5.0 out of 5 stars Top
Reviewed in Germany on September 25, 2024
Wissenschaftlich gesehen sehr wertvoll
RIP
Eduardo A Ceballos
5.0 out of 5 stars Facil de leer
Reviewed in Spain on April 12, 2024
Toca temas muy interesantes y es facil de leer.
Se nota que es apacionado por lo que escribe
Marko Pantic
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Sweden on November 19, 2023
Great book in a small format. Convenient for carrying it everyday and reading when commuting.