Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Brief Answers to the Big Questions cover art

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking, Professor Kip Thorne - foreword
Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon - foreword, Lucy Hawking - afterword
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

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

The world-famous cosmologist and number one best-selling 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 superintelligence - 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.

©2018 Stephen Hawking (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    621
  • 4 Stars
    90
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    535
  • 4 Stars
    78
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    525
  • 4 Stars
    79
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An excellent introduction to Hawking

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.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Brilliant and thought provoking

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

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

8 Hours in The Mind of a Genius

Reading Hawking's educated take on the world around him was like riding an imaginary floatational device to get a good glimpse of both the universe and our place in the world.

The future, the cosmos and A.I, even touching on genetic modification.

If your a curious mind with a general interest and appreciation for science, then you won't be disappointed with this read.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of Humanity's Best

Steve Hawking is, and always will be, a hard act to follow. One of Humanity's best. I just wish todays so-called political leaders come even come close to emulating him. My mother-in-law died from MND. A beautiful women and great mum. Truly missed. Both of them.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why can't I give this book 10 stars?

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

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Amazing.

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.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So good!!

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

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Astounding...

It is with tears in my eyes that I write this review. Hearing his daughters words about their relationship and the meaning it transcends to my father's impressions on me. I enjoyed every aspect of this book, I am certain he would have too.

Thank you for publishing this book.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfull in every way possible.

By far the most interesting, thought provoking and captivatingly narrated book I’ve listened to. Highly recommend!!!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Captivating and Moving!

A wonderful book that addresses the big questions we all ask. The afterword by Hawkings daughter was absolutely moving aswell and I would definatley recommend!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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.