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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

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

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    5 out of 5 stars

Funny, informative, and a must read!

For a topic so complicated (to the regular person) it was surprisingly easy to understand and take in. They say that’s how you can tell a person is a good writer, is if the dumbest person in the room can understand and indeed I feel like that person could with this book.
I loved it so much, the amount of shade thrown at trump, the average human intelligence, and brexit was hilarious. It was done in a way that wasn’t insulting but more to bring a realistic observation in to attention. This book, I appreciated more because it strengthened my faith, knowing that despite being presented with hard facts of the origins of the universe; I still in the end believe in A higher being. It is everything I could ever expect from Stephen Hawking and wished that I got to meet him before he joined the stars.


Also performance was good, narration was good, toward the end I could hear paper shuffling and the narrator shifting y fidgeting it was a bit distracting.

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7 people found this helpful

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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.

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3 people found this helpful

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interesting without being overwhelming

a great book with lots of great information, yet its told in a way it doesnt feel like you're being overwhelmed with facts.

Ben Wishaw was a great choice for narrator his voice fits the book fantastically.

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3 people found this helpful

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Almost easy enough for a mere mortal to understand

This was the type of book you feel
Smarter listening too, but at the same time not smart at all during it. It’s the version of Hawkings made for the average human. It achieves its goal, but is still pretty intense. I got them vibe’ of things, but could not recite mouth of it a knowledge in a conversation at the pub. Does a good job of proving how improbably we are and how god (big guy white beard) cannot exist. Hawkings was a smart dude and this helps really clarify why if all you know of him was as the ‘wormhole guy in a wheelchair’ . Very interesting ideas, just wish I was clever enough to fully understand them.

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2 people found this helpful

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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.

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2 people found this helpful

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Enjoyed this book

Well now I understand what a black hole actually is. He explains really complicated stuff so that us normal people can understand, what a clever man. A man with such a positive outlook on life and the things that he was so interested and involved in.

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1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant and thought provoking

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

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1 person found this helpful

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amazing story, great theories, slow narration

loved this book about stephens life and thoughts and well fact-checked theories.

narration slow

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  • Overall
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superb!

if you are a fan of professor then you should listen to this audio book.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I loved this audiobook

It's a good listen, overall it has lots of information which normally people are not aware of. Sometimes in middle of the book things get little boring for those who are not into stars and galaxies.
But, eventually as you listen you will get to know many things.

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