Get Your Free Audiobook
-
A Briefer History of Time
- Narrated by: Erik Davies
- Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins
- Categories: Science & Engineering, Science
Non-member price: $28.11
People who bought this also bought...
-
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
- By: Stephen Hawking, Professor Kip Thorne - foreword
- Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon - foreword, Lucy Hawking - afterword
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The final book from Professor Stephen Hawking, the best-selling author of A Brief History of Time and arguably the most famous scientist of our age, Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a profound, accessible and timely reflection on the biggest questions in science. Professor Hawking was a brilliant theoretical physicist, an influential author and thinker and a great popular communicator. Throughout his career he was asked questions by business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics and the general public on a broad range of subjects, from the origins of the universe to the future of the planet.
-
-
Funny, informative, and a must read!
- By Anonymous User on 03-08-2019
-
The Universe in a Nutshell
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking to uncover the holy grail of science, the elusive Theory of Everything that lies at the heart of the cosmos, Professor Stephen Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical physics. In a realm where truth is often stranger than fiction, he explains in layman's terms the principles that control our universe.
-
-
Great follow up
- By Anonymous User on 09-07-2020
-
The Grand Design
- By: Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this groundbreaking new work, Professor Hawking and renowned science writer Leonard Mlodinow have drawn on 40 years of Hawking's own research and a recent series of extraordinary astronomical observations and theoretical breakthroughs to reveal an original and controversial theory.
-
-
Comprehensive knowledge required but worth it
- By Josh on 08-08-2016
-
A Brief History of Time
- From Big Bang to Black Holes
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by 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.
-
-
i understood many of the words used
- By Dallas on 18-06-2018
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen W. Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hawking takes us on a fascinating journey through the telescopic lens of modern physics to gain a new glimpse of the universe--the nature of black holes, the space-time continuum, and new information about the origin of the universe. He uses this scientific basis to come up with a "unified theory of everything" that the author claims will be "the ultimate triumph of human reason."
-
-
Well worth a listen
- By Alex on 21-03-2018
-
Mythos
- By: Stephen Fry
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Greek myths are amongst the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis.
-
-
Superb!
- By Anonymous User on 14-11-2017
-
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
- By: Stephen Hawking, Professor Kip Thorne - foreword
- Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon - foreword, Lucy Hawking - afterword
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The final book from Professor Stephen Hawking, the best-selling author of A Brief History of Time and arguably the most famous scientist of our age, Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a profound, accessible and timely reflection on the biggest questions in science. Professor Hawking was a brilliant theoretical physicist, an influential author and thinker and a great popular communicator. Throughout his career he was asked questions by business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics and the general public on a broad range of subjects, from the origins of the universe to the future of the planet.
-
-
Funny, informative, and a must read!
- By Anonymous User on 03-08-2019
-
The Universe in a Nutshell
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking to uncover the holy grail of science, the elusive Theory of Everything that lies at the heart of the cosmos, Professor Stephen Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical physics. In a realm where truth is often stranger than fiction, he explains in layman's terms the principles that control our universe.
-
-
Great follow up
- By Anonymous User on 09-07-2020
-
The Grand Design
- By: Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this groundbreaking new work, Professor Hawking and renowned science writer Leonard Mlodinow have drawn on 40 years of Hawking's own research and a recent series of extraordinary astronomical observations and theoretical breakthroughs to reveal an original and controversial theory.
-
-
Comprehensive knowledge required but worth it
- By Josh on 08-08-2016
-
A Brief History of Time
- From Big Bang to Black Holes
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by 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.
-
-
i understood many of the words used
- By Dallas on 18-06-2018
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen W. Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hawking takes us on a fascinating journey through the telescopic lens of modern physics to gain a new glimpse of the universe--the nature of black holes, the space-time continuum, and new information about the origin of the universe. He uses this scientific basis to come up with a "unified theory of everything" that the author claims will be "the ultimate triumph of human reason."
-
-
Well worth a listen
- By Alex on 21-03-2018
-
Mythos
- By: Stephen Fry
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Greek myths are amongst the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis.
-
-
Superb!
- By Anonymous User on 14-11-2017
Publisher's Summary
Although this audiobook is literally somewhat "briefer", it actually expands on the great subjects of the original. Purely technical concepts, such as the mathematics of chaotic boundary conditions, are gone. Conversely, subjects of wide interest that were difficult to follow because they were interspersed throughout the production have now been given entire chapters of their own, including relativity, curved space, and quantum theory. This reorganization has allowed the authors to expand areas of special interest and recent progress, from the latest developments in string theory to exciting developments in the search for a complete, unified theory of all the forces of physics.
Like prior editions, but even more so, A Briefer History of Time will guide non-scientists everywhere in the ongoing search for the tantalizing secrets at the heart of time and space.
More from the same
What listeners say about A Briefer History of Time
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cameron
- 27-01-2015
can listen to it over and over again
I often lose my place as my mind goes off on many interesting tangents. It is a go to on my listening list when I just need something to listen to and focus on. Having a notebook and pen on hand to jot down questions or insights I find handy
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- James
- 11-06-2007
This is Not a sequel - It's a minor re-write!
I was disappointed in this audio book. For no reason other that is was not clear from the precis that is was a revision of the original "A Brief History of Time". I can't fault the material and the 5 minutes or so of audio were up to the usual standard. But it leaves a poor taste in my mouth to spend a audio book credit on an audiobook that I, essentially, already had. Well done on Stephen Hawking for making his material more accessable to a broader audience. But I understood enough of the original that I would never have felt the need to purchase both and I just wish it had been made more clear. If you have not read (or heard) ther original this is probably the version to get but if you have and you enjoyed it you won't get any more out of this updated release.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Tony
- 11-03-2016
clarifying ideas
I enjoyed this book. The world of modern physics is plotted with thumbnails of key protagonists. At times I had to re-listen to sections as it crunched though ideas quickly, these are big ideas. I believe I shall return to hear this many times
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- M. Harding
- 09-02-2016
Too much talk of God. American market focused.
Great information, as is to be expected but a lot of references to God and a feeling that in some ways efforts have been made to make the information more acceptable to religious folk!
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Anonymous User
- 25-05-2007
Excellent book...so so narration
This book is excellent. It's clear and simple descriptions of some pretty mind bending science is the reason why this book has been such a world-wide hit for so long. My only quibble is the narration. I worked for many years producing spoken audio and, though the narrator has an interesting voice and obvious passion for the subject, he seems a little unprepared. Several times he stubbles over difficult names, words or scentence structures. As an audio producer I know that this is down to either not being supplied with a pronunciation list, or not rehersing the script. The audio producer/editor should also have noticed these mistakes and made a retake to be edited at a later date; so the responsibility is not solely the narrators.
The audio quality is not very high definition either. Perhaps because it was produced many years ago for the tape market. (Did someone lose the master copies, perhaps?)
As I said; a wonderful book with a passionate narration, which is only marred by the narration which at times can stummble.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Simon Zohhadi
- 11-12-2016
The Unexplained
A Briefer History of Time is popular science at its best. It tries not to be too technical or complex but even in its most basic form (without mathematical equations) the reader needs to read and re-read some of the theories to fully understand them; this is not a negative. The Big Bang, general theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, space travel and wormholes, the search for unified and quantum relativity theories are all explored with other explanations on why we exist and the nature of the universe and how it all began and how it might end. Quantum Mechanics amuses me because it introduces uncertainty!It is all fascinating stuff but the irony is that it is the unknown which makes astronomy and science all the more interesting. Will we ever know the theory of everything? I hope not.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Matthew
- 08-01-2016
Hmmmmm
Is there anything you would change about this book?
I don't think I would get this book on audio book. I found the reading tempo annoying when I wanted to stop and give my brain time to ponder the concepts.
Would you listen to another book narrated by Erik Davies?
Probably not - I didn't like the narration style.
Any additional comments?
I really enjoyed the concepts discussed in the book but would have preferred it in written format I think. The narration style of the reader determines the pace of the text and with a book which has so many great points to consider, you really want time to pick them apart in your head.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Neil
- 19-03-2015
Insightful and Truely fascinating.
upon listening I didn't think I'd enjoy it but my word was I wrong,I listen as often as possible now.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Reza
- 14-09-2015
Great
It is hard to keep up with the speed narrated but otherwise a great way to enlighten oneself with the wonders of the basic realm of physics
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Wras
- 23-09-2016
“Why is the universe the way we see it?”
The history of our understanding of how and what is our universe, the ideas of the past and the theories of our present, with explanations and analogies instead of equations or pure mathematics, explanations of our physical world, and its interaction with waves and particles and all the exotic phenomena of quantum mechanics and the quirkiness of quarks. Presented as the most delicious morsel.
No it will not turn you into and instant physicist or a mathematician, but it will give you a very clear and delineated idea of some of the concepts and theories that describe our universe and its components from the stellar bodies to the perceivable only by its influence.
“We find ourselves in a bewildering world. We want to make sense of what we see around us and to ask: What is the nature of the universe? What is our place in it and where did it and we come from? Why is it the way it is?”
― Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time
“... if we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God.”
― Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Alexandros Ap Greco
- 13-02-2021
Easy Listening with simple scientific terms
Helpful amd easy guide to non-scientists on their research about universe secrets, time and humanity's place in space.
20 Best Fantasy Audiobooks
This genre is so full of talent, it can be difficult to know what to listen to next — so look no further than this list to get you started.



20 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks
From the entire history of humanity to astrophysics, to our gut and mental health, dig into this list and learn something new.



Best Australian Podcasts on Audible
Audible Original Podcasts are free for Audible members. Check out this list of home-grown content, from binge-worthy true crime to self-help.


