A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
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Book Reviews of A Brief History of Time
Book Review: A Brief History of Time by Hawking
Summary: 5 Stars
The author ponders some very deep questions in theoretical andpractical physics and the universe. He covers space, time,
the expanding universe, uncertainty, black holes and a unifying
theory of physics and all matter. Einstein first postulated that
matter could neither be created nor destroyed. Ptolemy's model
predicts positioning of heavenly bodies. Galileo proved that
each body increased speed at the same weight despite it's own
weight except for a feather which fell slower due to air
resistance. The author explained that it takes 8 minutes for
light to reach the earth from the sun. In fact, this distance
is an important portal in the quantification and measurement
of time. Without light and distance, the measurement of time
would be difficult and perhaps impossible. The author explained
that the expanding universe slows down and stops.
Chandrasekhar calculated that a cold star would not be able
to support itself against its own gravity. This work is
excellent for science enthusiasts. It would be perfect for a
student class project in science.
Book Review: The Joy of Science
Summary: 5 Stars
The remarkable Stephen Hawking has done it again - another soaring, searching work that is also a textbook to those not familiar with the scientific world and its latest thoughts. In this original work, he traces the "history" of time from both human and cosmic viewpoints. Our psychology and manner of thinking affects our own outlook on the subject as much (or more) than the subject itself. FOr what he states is that time is not a flowing stream but an entity - an actual thing - that ticks in a steady beat. It's almost as if time were the heartbeat of the Universe and we simply dwell in its streams. He also brings in relativity, time travel and other curious notions that we have all thought about but then discarded as too arcane for general discussion. Reading Steven Hawking reminds me of those Isaac Asimov novels where robots, to save manking, disable our motor functions and we simply sit ("With Folded Hands"). But this act somehow jump starts our minds into being able to transmit thoughts; it was aptly titled "And Searching Minds" This is what I feel whenever I think of this man.
Book Review: Informative and an Enjoyable Read
Summary: 5 Stars
As a philosophy student I primarily read this work for it philosophical implications. I found Dr. Hawking's writing style to be extremely accessible despite the heavily scientific nature of the material. Though some of the mathematical explanations were beyond my grasp (especially in the latter chapters), the general implications of his theories were clearly outlined and explained in the most down-to-earth manner possible. I often suffer from the affliction of losing interest in a book halfway through, but I found that in this case my attention span was not an issue. Hawking's presentation of the subject matter was such that I was never discouraged or bored by his explanations. His diagrams and pictures were tremendously helpful in this area. I highly recommend this book to those with even a passing interest in the nature of our universe, as Hawking's findings in this field certainly lie at the very forefront of all human knowledge. I cannot speak from the perspective of the serious student of physics, but I think that there is clearly much is this work that will interest him as well.Book Review: A quite brilliant book
Summary: 5 Stars
There is no doubt that this book is astonishing. Far beyond my intelligence, there is far too much information to absorb and comprehend for the layman. Hawking has clearly demonstrated his superiority in the field of physics, I am sure that if I was face to face with him he could quite easily make the most complex theorem understandible to even me. The sign of a true teacher and intellect. What was most apparent to me and the reason why I would recommend this book to everybody is that the theories Hawking explains are about everything, and I mean everything. Something that should be attempted by us all to understand, if for no other reason than to make us realise how insignificant we are.And yet what struck me after finishing reading it was how little we know. It is a humbling experience. The bottom line is that the subject matter is so immense that I really can't see it ever being grasped totally. And if we ever do finally understand this, it will be as Arhtur C. Clarke put it, childhoods end. I think it can safely be said that we are still in infancy.
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read Hawking's Brief History of Time and Black Holes and Baby Universes, in addition to Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe. I can easily say that, out of those and any conceptual physics book that I have read even a portion of, this is the easiest to read and offers the most knowledge. While I have read reviews, not only on Amazon but in numerous other sources, that say that this book is complicated, foolish, or even proves that a creator exists, it is/does none of these things. I, only from taking a single semester of High School level conceptual physics, was able to easily understand the novel. Also, regarding the foolishness, many who do not realize basic physics principles (such as inabsolute and imaginary time) might feel that this is somewhat silly and abstract. Finally, regarding creationism, Hawking only states that physics does not disprove religion. For instance, he states that while the big bang created time, it is still possible that a "God" created the universe at that time, and therefore does not take any stance on religion whatsoever.