A Brief History of Time cover art

A Brief History of Time

From Big Bang to Black Holes

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Brief History of Time

By: Stephen Hawking
Narrated by: John Sackville
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

About this listen

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 Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Physics Science Black Hole Mathematics Interstellar

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
I'm glad I finally found the time to read this book. Awesome theories. Mind blown.

Theory of great stuff!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I finally get string theory concept! The dimensionality never quite made sense till Hawkings simple literal explaination. Some how tying in fundamental particles are much easier to get now too. It explains using a few simalies, but its not over the top.

As with any science book, if you have a base understanding, you will get more out of this book. I think it might be worth while reading Chapter 11 & 12 before circling back to fundamental particles (quarks etc). I'll be going back to get some more info now!

Great performance, close to Hawkings own speech patterns in my head.

Accessable understanding

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

a brief history of amazing concepts and thinkers!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was really captivating to listen to - the narrator was superb. Such a fascinating story and it should be compulsory for high school aged children.

A fantastic story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A challenging book for us more simple folk. Still quite an enjoyable read despite my incomprehension

Struggled through it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved it, a very brief take on many different events that leaves you wanting more.

Beautiful book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It is great to understand laws of physics and even greater to see logics are used to progress human knowledge. To me this book is art!

Truly beautiful mind

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A book that brings physics to a more simplistic language, easy to understand and assimilate

Easy to understand

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A lot of big words and even bigger theories then one mediocre brain can handle, but words and theories that one mediocre brain should know! even if it takes a lot of time to understand, you will be that much closer to understanding the time you used.

Time traveler.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great audio book absolutly loved it. The presentation was fantastic with great story telling with a perfect amount of science.

great audio book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.