THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING: The Origin and Fate of the Universe |  | Author: Stephen W. Hawking
Publisher: PHOENIX BOOKS, INC.
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 569
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Edition: Special Anniversary Edition
ASIN: B001B4374U
Publication Date: May 1, 2006
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
With a title inspired as much by Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker series as Einstein, The Theory of Everything delivers almost as much as it promises. Transcribed from Stephen Hawking's Cambridge Lectures, the slim volume may not present a single theory unifying gravity with the other fundamental forces, but it does carefully explain the state of late 20th-century physics with the great scientist's characteristic humility and charm. Explicitly shunning math, Hawking explains the fruits of 100 years of heavy thinking with metaphors that are simple but never condescending--he compares the settling of the newborn universe into symmetry to the formation of ice crystals in a glass of water, for example. While he explores his own work (especially when speaking about black holes), he also discusses the important milestones achieved by others like Richard Feynman. Though occasionally an impenetrably obscure phrase does slip by, the reader will find the bulk of the text enlightening and engaging. The material, from the nature of time to the possibility that the universe has no beginning or end, is rich and deep and inevitably ignites metaphysical thinking. After all, Hawking is famous for his "we would know the mind of God" remark, which ends the final lecture herein. --Rob Lightner
Product Description
STEPHEN W. HAWKING is widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest minds: a brilliant theoretical physicist whose work helped to reconfigure models of the universe and to redefine what’s in it. Imagine sitting in a room listening to Hawking discuss these achievements and place them in historical context. It would be like hearing Christopher Columbus tell of his journeys to the New World. This book approaches that. In The Theory of Everything, Hawking presents a series of seven lectures in which he lays out, perhaps more clearly and concisely than ever, the history of the universe as we know it. These essays capture not only the brilliance of Hawking’s mind but his characteristic wit as well. A great popularizer of science as well as a brilliant scientist, Hawking believes that advances in theoretical science should be "understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists." In this book, he offers, for all who would take it, a voyage of discovery about the cosmos and our place
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
 A Fascinating Journey June 24, 2002
Julie Atkin (Los Angeles, CA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is a book that takes the most incomprehensible material, theories, and operations of our universe, and breaks them down to the simplest form. Using "balloon" analogies and simple descriptions, Hawking is able to simplify the theories of space, time, and, well, 'Everything' else. I loved this book! Whether you're a fan of science fact, or science fiction, this is a book that will expand your understanding and appreciation of our wonderful universe.
In a nut shell June 10, 2007
Andrew Hegge (St Paul, MN)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The toughts of the supposed beginings of the universe are thought provoking. The book was easy to read, in fact this book took me no time at all, but has left me with a life time of knowledge.
Stimulate your mind. July 17, 2002
misseckles (Drysdale, Victoria Australia)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
While I sympathize with Mr. Hawking's distress regarding the unauthorized publication of this book, I enjoyed it enormously none-the-less. Much of the material in this book has been published previously, but this format is more reader friendly to those of us with an average IQ. Several reviews have given "The Theory of Everything" a one star rating and have even encouraged others to refuse to buy or read the book. However despite the sensitivities regarding the publication of Hawking's work this is still a really good book which can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in science.
Even if it is unofficial... October 2, 2007
Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Even if this product is unofficial, and unsanctioned by Stephen Hawking himself, I have to say I enjoyed it.
I liked how its topics were so clearly delineated into thematically cohesive lectures, I liked that the author read them himself using a computer, and I loved the clear and organized way that Hawking laid out topics as complex and unfathomable as black holes and time and the beginning of the universe.
Don't buy this, I suppose, since it's really not sanctioned by Hawking himself, but do buy his other work that basically repeats this same material.
Do buy this, though, if you're a Hawking completist, already have all his other books, and are looking for just a little bit more.
I loved it.
A Series of Fantastic Revelations. May 31, 2002
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
Reading this book took my breath away.I learned more from reading 'THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING" than from four years of college.this is the greatest book on ever written in its field.I was amazed at how understandable it was.Brilliant!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
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