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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

'A beautiful little book by a brilliant mind' DAILY TELEGRAPH

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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking
Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking
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About this listen

 Read by Ben Whishaw and Garrick Hagon, with an afterword read by Lucy Hawking.

The world-famous cosmologist and #1 bestselling author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the universe's biggest questions in this brilliant posthumous work.

How did the universe begin? Will humanity survive on Earth? Is there intelligent life beyond our solar system? Could artificial intelligence ever outsmart us?

Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. But even as his theoretical work on black holes, imaginary time and multiple histories took his mind to the furthest reaches of space, Hawking always believed that science could also be used to fix the problems on our planet.

And now, as we face potentially catastrophic changes here on Earth - from climate change to dwindling natural resources to the threat of artificial super-intelligence - Stephen Hawking turns his attention to the most urgent issues for humankind.

Wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating, passionately argued, and infused with his characteristic humour, BRIEF ANSWERS TO THE BIG QUESTIONS, the final book from one of the greatest minds in history, is a personal view on the challenges we face as a human race, and where we, as a planet, are heading next.

A percentage of all royalties will go to charity.

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Stephen Hawking Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Black Hole Solar System Inspiring Thought-Provoking Astronomy

Critic Reviews

A beautiful book from a brilliant mind
Almost everything in Brief Answers is effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute and - where it matters - witty
The best, most mind-bending sort of physics: black holes, time travel, the origins of the universe
It is that ultra-distinctive voice (modest, profound, sometimes very funny) that knits this book together
All stars
Most relevant
This is an incredible introduction to Stephen Hawking, which has now compelled me to go on to read A Brief History of Time. I didn't give the full 5 stars only because the scientific concepts described before their everyman translation were still very dense and complex, even in their condensed form as given in each chapter, but that's purely based on my own ignorance. That said, I appreciate that Hawking still foregrounds the layman explanation with the scientific concepts, principles and equations, even if some go a little over my head. All the same, the book has kindled a burning desire to delve deeper into these complex yet fascinating mysteries.

The Audible narration is wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the little snippets at the end of each chapter where we hear Lucy and Stephen Hawking asking and answering respectively the question of that chapter. it really reminds you of the genius behind the book and wonderfully honours his memory, speaking volumes to us the listeners of his massive legacy.

This is a must-read book for anyone interested in the big questions and who has not yet explored Hawkings's work.

An excellent introduction to Hawking

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Loved it!! Never listened to Stephen Hawking before but will definitely be listening to more books.

Brilliant and thought provoking

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I haven't loved a book so much since The Universe in a Nutshell. A book to keep forever

Why can't I give this book 10 stars?

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I loved this book and hearing the insighfullness of Professor Stephen Hawking. I wonder if amazing men like this were our Prime Ministers and leaders how much more our civilisation would have advanced by now.

Simply Amazing.

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What amazing book! I love listening to it and letting my mind think wander into the dark space.
R.I.P Stephen Hawkins

So good!!

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