A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes

I notice that one reviewer has called this book "A Con Job" and goes on to ask "If he [Hawking] is such a great genius why do we never come across his name in the history of science? What major breakthroughs has he made? ... One reviewer admitted that he [Hawking] did not understand more than 60% of the book. I certainly didn't understand more than 10%". Well let's answer the first part shall we? Stephen Hawking provided a mathmatical proof for the big-bang theory and has done extensive research into the workings of black-holes. Are these not major breakthroughs? I certainally think so. The fact that the reviwer understood less than 10% of the content perhaps says more about his intelligence that the quality of the book.

The book is fairly short (240 pages) and this is to its credit - it is long enough to introduce and explain difficult concepts, but short enough not to bore you.

All in all, this is an great book - give it a try!


Eye-opening.   November 30, 2003
A. Gasson (South West, UK)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Like so many, I have always said I'd read Brief History. So i bit the bullet and delved in...

Now I'm not a mathematician, or a physisist. Not since GSCE's have i pondered over the equations that were set down over the last few hundred years. Luckily Stephen Hawking knew this when he wrote A Brief History of Time. In fact that was his driving force.

It proved to be, from the start, an enjoyable read. Doesn't really say much does it? "An enjoyable read", sort of reaction you'd have to a Spot the Dog book. Well that's how it starts. But I got through that to discover mind blowing theories and genuine enjoyment in reading Hawkings.

Yes there are a lot of things to get your head round, things that are complicated and at times uncomprehensible. But this is said in terms of altering your view on our world and universe, not in terms of being far too complicated and above us.

It's not for everyone, but if it's for you its an enthralling read. Not one to be left on the coffee table.


Exploring the mind of God   September 26, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Sometimes we are used to study physics like mathematics, like an abstract subject. But what happens when we take our equations, our knowledge of the nature and we put them together, creating a unitarian view of the world around us? We are not just studying an equation, we are studying physics, the Universe's behaviour and, finally, understanding the meaning of it all. And Hawking does make this happen without any unusual/tough matematical formula!


A well condensed and clear guide through complex science!   February 20, 1999
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

There are many layman's books on cosmology and modern scientific theories. Somethimes it can be hard to distinguish truth from misrepresentation. However, one can be sure that hearing these theories 'straight from the horse's mouth (as Hawking is responsible for the development of many of them) that one is being told the truth. He consciously presents his ideas in a non-mathematical way to make the book accesible to anyone. Do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a beginner's book only. I am a student studying theoretical physics and i gained new insight into ideas I thought i understood. A Brief History of Time displays excellently Hawking's natural humour and his brilliant teaching skills. A Brief History of Time is an essential classic.


A must for for the layperson of cosmology   October 23, 2000
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

A disagree with another reviewer who insists on seeing mathematical formulae. You have missed the point, mathematics is not required for understanding principles only for proving them. I do not believe this would add anything to the content for the lay reader who it was intended for.

The importance of this book cannot be underestimated in its ability to fundamentally shift the common mans (or womans) perceptions of the world around them. You will rarely feel as close to understanding your god (whom or whatsoever it may be) and his work.