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  • A Brief History of Time

  • From Big Bang to Black Holes
  • By: Stephen Hawking
  • Narrated by: John Sackville
  • Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (588 ratings)

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A Brief History of Time

By: Stephen Hawking
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries?

These are just some of the questions considered in the internationally acclaimed masterpiece by the world renowned physicist - generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers.

It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory. To this day A Brief History of Time remains a staple of the scientific canon and its succinct and clear language continues to introduce millions to the universe and its wonders.

©2016 Stephen Hawking (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"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)

 

"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)

What listeners say about A Brief History of Time

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

i understood many of the words used

excellent physics book for the regular guy.
like me. this review needs at least 15 words.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a brief history of amazing concepts and thinkers!

This was a great, albeit overwhelming book. John Sackville read this book, and while I thought i'd find a dissonance in hearing anyone else read Hawking, I have to say his performance was excellent. The rhythm of the reading was pleasant and left me feeling confident the context was being communicated.

More than really engaging with the book, I mostly was listening as it was being read. The level of the content started out relatively simply then rocketed off away from my puny brain. I did find myself in awe of some of the concepts Hawking explains and ties together so well.

Less of a history of time and moreso an analysis of the concepts and theories that determine the way we consider time and all that it entails. I was very impressed by the work that Hawking and the physics community have put into the thinking around our universe and place within.

The book encouraged me to find another entry point and pursue such thoughts to better understand all the forces that hold our world(s) together. Fantastic book!

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Glad that’s over

OK. Stephen Hawking was clearly an incredibly intelligent mind. But theoretical cosmology and physics does get quite... abstract after a while.

You wonder about how some of the postulates come about - for example, the universe might be saddle shaped. Still, I’m not a genius like SH but not you really really really need to be into your theoretical physics to be up for this one.

I listened to the end, just out of respect. But I’m glad the book is ‘finite’ and I wasn’t trapped by it’s event horizon.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hard to listen, but overall great book!

Excellent book! A bit hard to listen as audio book, I had to rewind certain parts to listen to. But otherwise, it's great. Reader has a soothing, calm voice, does excellent job.

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3 people found this helpful

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jam packed information and details

narrator a bit slow but the information was so detailed and learning about theories and paradoxes was wonderful.

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    3 out of 5 stars

good book must read

you need to read it explains everything to me. just great every one should read.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just what you would expect from such a mind, exciting, educational, fun and totally enjoyable.

Very enjoyable and worth the time to sit and listen to. If you are even in the slightest interested, make the investment and purchase this book, you won’t regret it…

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good summary for lay people

I found it a bit boring though. Was expecting a bit more in terms of the weird and wonderful.

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A must read for all curious minds

A very balanced and open minded approach to such complex topics. It can get quite technical at times but overall easy to follow and very thought provoking.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Man & search of meaning

To paraphrase & over-simplify, theories are simply observations & ever-changing until proven otherwise by mass mutual agreement.

Hawking mentioned Albert Einstein & he himself has made faulty theories before. Throughout the book, questions to find unity or alternative laws that govern the universe is never ending; in gravity, light, time, etc.

In the summary, you’ll find out why they do what they do, the bottom of these questions comes down to whether or not God exist; if so, understanding what God is thinking & if not, what the meaning of our existence is.

I find it somewhat entertaining, because man will always be at lost until they have a strong belief/foundation to hold on to.

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