Jane and Steven Hawking
931140
I found it to be a fascinating insight as to the travails of a spouse attempting to deal with a catastrophic and unexpected illness. I do believe, however, that Jane was less than forthcoming in describing her relationship with her companion, Jonathon.
330051
"...our goal is a complete understanding of the events around us, and of our own existence." ~ Stephen Hawking.

Hawking's book is a history of the scientific theories about the universe; how it came to be, how it works, and how it will end.  Starting with the theories of Aristotel and Copernicus, he discusses their theories and the advancement on those theories made by other scientists up to and even beyond Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.  The ultimate goal of all the scientists is to provide one unified theory that explains everything (but not quite the day Douglass Adams would imagine it).

I found this book to be a challenging read, which is to be expected, because it is a book dealing entirely with science and the advancement of scientific theory.  Hawking did a good job of putting much of it in terms easy to understand, but I think it would be impossible to cover this subject that way in its entirety.  One thing I did find very interesting is the way theories are proposed and then models are developed to test them.  Then further theories are developed to correct flaws and science progresses.
2742842
Although I will never understand the maths and physics needed to truly understand quantum physics and cosmology, this book explains in language I can understand the big picture view of the universe that only maths can explain in detail.
If you have read Steven Hawking s A Brief History of Time you will enjoy this book.
2843327
I purchased this book because I have always respected Stephen Hawking. As a student of Engineering I already have some background in what he discuss throughout the book. However I will say that Mr. Hawking does indeed posses a natural talent of explanation. I'm certainty no physicist and yet his writing makes even the most complex theories seem so simple. I was also pleasantly surprised with his writing style. I know most scientist have a bland way of writing things or they just simply don't know how to write, this is certainly not the case with Hawking. Every now and then you get a glimpse into the humor of Hawking. Whether it be his making bets over his scientific discoveries or even his good humor about his illness, one line in particular "I started to think about black holes as I was getting into bed. My disability makes this a rather slow process, so I had plenty of time" (Hawking, 103). This line shows the reader that Hawking has not lost his sense of humor despite how his disease has crippled him. A great deal of respect must be given to Hawking for his life, accomplishes, and struggles. I highly recommend this book
1840396
Stephen Hawking is one of the greatest minds of the century, and I was a little worried when I began that the material would be too advanced for my admittedly limited scientific understanding.  I was happily wrong.

He discusses a wide range of topics, but with several clear examples and explanations.  And plenty of humor!  And he cohesively ties them all together to create a larger picture from all of the information he gives.

A wonderfully enlightening and entertaining read!
353431
This is my first reading of a publication written by Hawking.  Though it is a complex subject he does write it in such a way that I was able to understand the theories and information.
4700997
I found this book to be an interesting autobiography. I liked reading about Hawking's childhood and his life and career as a scientist. I enjoyed the parts about black holes and time travel as well. I think that people who are interesting in Hawking and his life will enjoy this brief book. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
2361234
We all know Stephen Hawking is one of the smartest people on the planet. In this book he delves into the subjects of black holes, dark matter, the entire universe, etc. In a language we can all understand.  A wonderful look into how our generations most prolific genius sees the world and universe around him.  A captivating read.  Highly recommended.
2234025
Stephen Hawking seems to believe that the universe was created from a black hole in which he believes there is no time. So his theory is that God could not have created the Universe because there was no time to create it. What he doesn't seem to realize is that God lives outside of time. Time is made for humans to live under. God has lived since eternity past and will live to eternity future. So I hate to say it but God had plenty of opportunities to create as many universes as he wanted to.

This program focuses on the Big Bang and to me that only serves to prove that God spoke creation into existence. Otherwise I don't think this program fully explains where all the matter came from to create the universe.

So in the end Stephen Hawking basically says that nothing caused the Big Bang. I simply can't believe that. It is not logical to me. Only God doesn't have a beginning. Everything else is his creation. So in my mind I still believe that God spoke matter and energy into existence.

The more I study about the brain or about the natural world the more convinced I am that there is a God and he is preparing something for us in the next life. Stephen Hawking believes there is no heaven. How sad for him. In this world you need something to look forward to. Seeing all the beautiful galaxies in this video also made me think God is a real artist.

So if you watch this also read the account of Creation in Genesis of the Bible. And the laws of nature spoken of in this video...why could God not have created them too? I believe he is far more intelligent than we could ever imagine. Science simply discovers what God already put in place.

And even if Stephen Hawking was correct about the universe coming from a black hole he'd have to also explain where the star that collapsed first came from. And would there really be enough matter in one collapsed star to create billions of stars. That alone does not seem possible.

~The Rebecca Review
4761553
Hawking has pulled together an imense amount of physics in this gorgeous hard cover edition.  The breadth of topics is far reaching, yet simplified in a manner such that people from non-physics backgrounds can readily grasp.  For those looking for more depth and less show his lectures on quantum general relativity and black hole law is highly recommended.  Is Hawking playfully using stringy methods in forming the laws of black hole mechanics while sharply critizing the string theory, or is he truely abandoning string theory in favor of a more straight-forward and generic approach?
3034462
Black Whole is a giant leap along the road of how the Universe REALLY works.  It is backed up by other research, and very strangely coincided with the CERN FTL incident.  (Which they are now busy repudiating (Feb '12) since it conflicts with Einstein)

Einstein was a genius; he would have loved to meet Nassim Haramein.  The two of them would have been dynamite!

If your curiosity gene is alive and well, don't miss this - it is BRILLIANT.  (AND better yet - Nassim is a genius and a scientist who can speak in baby talk for the likes of me, a non-scientist!)

I've watched it 3 times, and learned more each time.  Here come the next three......
1968066
Has been a little difficut but once i got it... it was great. I love Hawkings.
1866005
For the majority of people, advanced physics is something understood only by a select few, something that requires years of post-graduate work to grasp. In this book, Stephen Hawking attempts to take these extremely complicated and unfathomable theories and present them in a manner that is both understandable and entertaining. For the most part, he is successful.

Hawking starts by recounting the development of the understanding of our world through the eyes of physics. This helps show how the many perceptions of our universe that we now take for granted often took many years to be understood and accepted. This allows the reader to see that there are many things that could change still about our current perception of the universe.

Having done this, Hawking delves into more complicated concepts, such as the theory of relativity, the Big Bang, black holes, and the end of the universe. He talks to the reader in language they can understand, yet he never "speaks down" to the reader. Hawking also considers the role of God in a universe governed by physics in a way that I believe would not offend the believer.

In all, Hawking manages to condense a lot of complicated material into a short, simple book. I believe the reader will acquire a better picture of the mind of the astrophysicist, but I don't the relevance of these intangible concepts will be readily grasped. Upon finishing the book, I was left wondering what many of these difficult theories actually mean to us as a whole.
2693072
Cross-over episodes with David Tennent. In-depth background on Sarah Jane. Good stuff.
3652980
How many lay people have marveled at the incredible discoveries and implications of quantum physics in the last several years, but hoped for a comprehensive explanation in one book? I'm sure I'm not the only one. I have to read this book to find out just what Dr. and Master Sha and Dr. Rulin have found that is beyond the current state of quantum physics and points to a Grand Unification Theory to explain the most fundamental forces at work in the universe, as well as the most profound aspects of creation. The authors have explained the basic ideas in an online interview, including the notion of Soul as a wave function. But I need the book to see for myself! Besides, it's my birthday soon AND I WANT IT!!! I have just read the autobiographical book about Master Sha by William Gladstone (a Harvard trained Medical Anthropoligist) and have recommended it to several friends. So fellow Sagittarians, I encourage you to consider this book. Tell a friend or relative that it makes a great birthday present.
4238577
Could the King of physics be wrong about black holes? For 30 years Hawking and Susskind debated whether or not information disappears once it is sucked into a black hole. I commend Susskind for his courage not in debating Hawking, but in explaining concepts like Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Gravity, and String Theory to regular people like me. If you want to learn more about your universe and you don't want to spend a lot of time on the math - this is the book.
These black hole ideas are important because if Hawking is right and information really does disappear once the black hole evaporates then we too disappear - erased forever! One day we will all be at the horizon of a black hole and eventually at the singularity - and sucked in! Once that black hole takes in more "information" (stuff) than it can hold, it begins to evaporate - as it sucks in more & more stuff - because the gravity won't quit. It becomes so dense that it begins to expand (evaporate) & information is lost - according to Hawking. Susskind proves his own argument (theoretically) using Gerardus 'et Hoofts "holographic principle" and Hawking is forced to make a statement that gives Susskind victory (once Susskind proves the math). This book is a twisty, unexpected, real-life story about real people who set physics on a new path. You'll learn physics terms and a lot about influential people who changed the way we see the world today.
2598392
This book really describes how diversity can create dimension in our world. I personally like this book because I am a fan of Stephen Hawking _ who also talks through a computer. It is about a 5th grade girl with a type of disability that's paralyzes all body movement but keeps her brain active all the time. The book explains also who you should not be so quick to judge people by there differences age, gender,and in this case wether or not they have to use a computer to talk.