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Stephen Hawking
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THE ILLUSTRATED THEORY OF EVERYTHING: The Origin and Fate of the Universe Special Anniversary Edition, Kindle Edition

by Stephen W. Hawking (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,090 ratings
STEPHEN W. HAWKING is widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest minds: a brilliant theoretical physicist whose work helped to reconfigure models of the universe and to redefine what’s in it. Imagine sitting in a room listening to Hawking discuss these achievements and place them in historical context. It would be like hearing Christopher Columbus tell of his journeys to the New World.

This book approaches that. In The Theory of Everything, Hawking presents a series of seven lectures in which he lays out, perhaps more clearly and concisely than ever, the history of the universe as we know it. These essays capture not only the brilliance of Hawking’s mind but his characteristic wit as well.

A great popularizer of science as well as a brilliant scientist, Hawking believes that advances in theoretical science should be "understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists." In this book, he offers, for all who would take it, a voyage of discovery about the cosmos and our place
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-1614671596
  2. Edition
    Special Anniversary Edition
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2006
  5. Language
    English
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
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  1. An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when He might have carried out his job.
    Highlighted by 481 Kindle readers
  2. We now know it is impossible to have an infinite static model of the universe in which gravity is always attractive.
    Highlighted by 382 Kindle readers
  3. The discovery that the universe was expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the twentieth century.
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With a title inspired as much by Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker series as Einstein, The Theory of Everything delivers almost as much as it promises. Transcribed from Stephen Hawking's Cambridge Lectures, the slim volume may not present a single theory unifying gravity with the other fundamental forces, but it does carefully explain the state of late 20th-century physics with the great scientist's characteristic humility and charm. Explicitly shunning math, Hawking explains the fruits of 100 years of heavy thinking with metaphors that are simple but never condescending--he compares the settling of the newborn universe into symmetry to the formation of ice crystals in a glass of water, for example. While he explores his own work (especially when speaking about black holes), he also discusses the important milestones achieved by others like Richard Feynman. Though occasionally an impenetrably obscure phrase does slip by, the reader will find the bulk of the text enlightening and engaging. The material, from the nature of time to the possibility that the universe has no beginning or end, is rich and deep and inevitably ignites metaphysical thinking. After all, Hawking is famous for his "we would know the mind of God" remark, which ends the final lecture herein. --Rob Lightner

Review

...can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and with ... his is a brain of extraordinary power. --The New York Review of Books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001B4374U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ PHOENIX BOOKS, INC.
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2006
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Special Anniversary Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 123 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1614671596
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,090 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Hawking

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.

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Customers find the book well-written and easy to read, with concepts clearly explained in a simple way. Moreover, the information quality is high, with customers describing it as a mind-wrenching exploration of heady topics. Additionally, they appreciate the author's intelligence and expertise.

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46 customers mention "Readability"41 positive5 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to understand.

"...They include “Ideas about the universe, the expanding universe, black holes, black holes ain’t so black, the origin and fate of the universe, the..." Read more

"...His style of writing in not self-centered nor is it arrogant like so many scientists do. His style is invitiing, exciting, and very knowledgeable...." Read more

"...lectures by Hawking in which he discusses the universe expansion, black holes, the arrow of time, and the theory of everything...." Read more

"The book is well written and is a classic. I am sad to learn that the long term fate of humans is so grim. The material is a challenge to accept...." Read more

32 customers mention "Ease of understanding"29 positive3 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand, with clearly explained concepts and mathematical theories presented in a simple way.

"...He makes these very complex theories understandable to the layman. He writes with enthusiam without challenging anyones' theories or faith...." Read more

"...The idea of combining quantum and relativity theories is creative and seemingly useful, but doesn't get it done so far...." Read more

"...because I love the large format and the illustrations inside are generally really well done and actually help with the text, especially for those..." Read more

"...Some of the concepts are very clearly explained such as the second law of thermodynamics, the black hole horizon, black hole evaporation, virtual..." Read more

26 customers mention "Information quality"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the information in the book engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as one of the most mind-wrenching books they've read.

"...I found this book to be very interesting and informative even though I have read his theories in other publication over the years...." Read more

"...Mr/Dr. Hawkings does a tremendous job in explaining the history of astronomy with his seven lectures which include..." Ideas (history) About the..." Read more

"...lucid writing style, he is able to deliver the clearest and lively explanation of these complex cosmological theories that anyone can understand." Read more

"...Regardless, a very useful discussion about what we have learned about the Universe and some of the implications that may be issues for future inquiry..." Read more

7 customers mention "Intelligence"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's intelligence, describing him as a fine scientist and very intelligent person.

"Stephen Hawking was a good teacher: he was clear, asked good questions, gave honest answers...." Read more

"...He is truly an amazing person, with an outstanding mind and mental ability." Read more

"...Professor Hawking is a fine Scientist and a fine Writer - a rare combination." Read more

"Beautifully written by two amazing, and extraordinary adults whose eternal love guided them through everything." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Joseph J. Truncale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Stephen Hawking's essays on astronomy and cosmology.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I have always been fascinated with everything to do with astronomy, cosmology, quantum physics and anything to do with time and the universe. This is why when I saw this 176-page hardcover book (The theory of everything: The origin and fate of the universe by Stephen w. Hawking) I decided to purchase it.

    I had read his book “A brief history of time” many years ago but I had not read this book which was published back in 2002. This volume has seven lectures Stephen Hawking made over the years. They include “Ideas about the universe, the expanding universe, black holes, black holes ain’t so black, the origin and fate of the universe, the direction of time and the theory of everything.”

    I found this book to be very interesting and informative even though I have read his theories in other publication over the years. If you are curious about how this great scientist views some of the mysteries of the cosmos you should check out this book. Still a great read even though it was published more than twenty years ago.
    Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute to warriors).
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bruce Bennett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Hawkings' The Theory of Everything The Origin and Fates of the Universe
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    In this book Stephen Hawkings relates to what the subtitle says: "The Origin and the Fate of the Universre" from seven of his letures on his theories and beliefs of his cosomology. Mr/Dr. Hawkings does a tremendous job in explaining the history of astronomy with his seven lectures which include..." Ideas (history) About the Universe,The Expanding Universe, Black Holes, Black Holes Ain't So Black, The Origin and Fate of the Universe, The Direction of Time, and The Theory of Everything." Mr. Hawkings explains these very complex theoris in everyday layman's language to his readers.He uses real life and portended examples to explain his theories.He makes these very complex theories understandable to the layman. He writes with enthusiam without challenging anyones' theories or faith. His style of writing in not self-centered nor is it arrogant like so many scientists do. His style is invitiing, exciting, and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this book,"The Special Anniversary Edition," to all and everybody, especially the amateur astronomy buffs and the every day layman.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • PembrokeSorbonne
    4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Read on Black Holes, Time, Theory of Everything
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a collection of seven lectures by Hawking in which he discusses the universe expansion, black holes, the arrow of time, and the theory of everything. The two lectures on black holes were particularly interesting because he provided a history of the development of the subject by various physicists, to include his own work with Roger Penrose. The study of black holes was actually originated in 18th century when the life cycle of a star was studied. When the Chandreskhar limit was introduced in the 1930s, white dwarfs and neutron stars were studied leading to the possibility that a star can collapse to a point. Later Hawking and Penrose  showed in the 70s a black hole is  the point of singularity with infinite density and the event horizon is boundless allowing nondecreasing behaviour. His discussion of how various theories of black holes evolved is a fascinating story of scientific discovery.  I wish he included more indepth details of measurements done in those studies, such as luminosity and red shift measurements.
         His lecture on time is based on the three different arrows of time: thermodynamic, psychological, and cosmological. Hawking suggests the psychological arrow is determined by thermodynamic arrow, and, that there can only be intelligent beings if they agree with the cosmological arrow. He also discusses if time can reverse if the universe collapses and entropy decreases. But a student of his developed a more complicated model showing disorder would continue in a no boundary condition and hence time arrow would not be reversed. His whole approach of tying thermodynamics, psychological time passage and cosmological activity together is revealing and explore not only physical possibility but touches also logical possibility.
         His lecture on the theory of everything examines string theory as a candidate to be such a theory, which he discusses the well known difficulties of string theory having over 10 dimensions, multiple infinities, string wave relation to particles. But he thought the issues will eventually be resolved. So he does not dismiss string theory as a viable candidate. More interesting is he does not believe there is no ultimate theory of the universe but only an unending sequence of theories offering better explanation one after the other. He thinks the Planck energy 1019 GeV would be the upper limit that cuts off the proliferation of theories.

    In typical Hawking lucid writing style, he is able to deliver the clearest and lively explanation of these complex cosmological theories that anyone can understand.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • William H Wimsatt II
    5.0 out of 5 stars NO UNIFIED THEORY AND STILL COUNTING
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It's remarkable the optimism for a unified theory in 1996
    Regardless, a very useful discussion about what we have learned about the Universe and some of the implications that may be issues for future inquiry. The idea of combining quantum and relativity theories is creative and seemingly useful, but doesn't get it done so far. And, certainly didn't before the 21st century.
    Physics IS evidently is the new phlosophy. The author does a credible job of asking relevant questions. The book should be in everyone's library of experience, so useful discussion and learning may become us.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mederic W. Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book will inform you as to the ultimate fate of humanity.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The book is well written and is a classic. I am sad to learn that the long term fate of humans is so grim. The material is a challenge to accept. However, I am glad I read it. The book arrived promptly in new condition. The publication information leads me to think this book was printed in India.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • AngelOrtiz
    5.0 out of 5 stars asombroso
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Me encantó el libro, una obra de arte.
    sobre los materiales del libro tambien son buenos.
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  • Salvatore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!
    Reviewed in Italy on June 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know to say, everything was been perfect!
    Also the helping service is very fast and friendly.
    Surely i will buy again from you!
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  • Maria Marcia Matos Pinto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sobre as origens do universo
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    O livro é uma coletânea de palestras ministradas por Stephen Hawking. Ele, de forma muito didática, apresenta teorias ligadas às origens do universo desde o Big Bang até o desenvolvimento de suas teorias sobre os buracos negros. Com introdução de Marcelo Gleiser, é um livro imperdível para os interessados nos estudos cosmológicos.
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  • RR Waller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just the fate of the universe
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    "One evening in November ... I started to think about black holes as I was getting into bed." (P 75) As one does. He points out that, with his disability, getting into bed takes a long time.
    This is typical of the way Hawking mixes biographical details and scientific, astro-physical thinking of the rarest kind in this little book, but "little" only in the physical sense as it opens the mind to the vastness of the universe.
    The notion of the widely-accepted expanding universe led him to consider (with Roger Penrose) the reversing of time and to what it would lead, i.e. a big-bang, singularity. This was his work until 1970 and that November evening. Since then his pioneering thinking on black holes has provided some startlingly original ideas.
    The "theory of everything" is the physicists' Aladdin's Cave, Holy Grail or, in Hawking's case, tomorrow's desk job.
    Disappointing in some ways, i.e. its brevity and (for Hawking's followers) its repetition but it is worth the investment in time and, short as it is, that is not long.
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  • Francisco Mandujano
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente lectura
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Es el primer libro de Stephen Hawking que leo y me gustó mucho, la manera en la que explica todo es excelente y definitivamente voy a seguir leyendo más de su trabajo.
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