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Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history, wrote the modern classic A Brief History of Time to help nonscientists understand the questions being asked by scientists today: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if so, how? Hawking attempts to reveal these questions (and where we're looking for answers) using a minimum of technical jargon. Among the topics gracefully covered are gravity, black holes, the Big Bang, the nature of time, and physicists' search for a grand unifying theory. This is deep science; these concepts are so vast (or so tiny) as to cause vertigo while reading, and one can't help but marvel at Hawking's ability to synthesize this difficult subject for people not used to thinking about things like alternate dimensions. The journey is certainly worth taking, for, as Hawking says, the reward of understanding the universe may be a glimpse of "the mind of God." --Therese Littleton

A Brief History of Time, published in 1988, was a landmark volume in science writing and in world-wide acclaim and popularity, with more than 9 million copies in print globally. The original edition was on the cutting edge of what was then known about the origins and nature of the universe. But the ensuing years have seen extraordinary advances in the technology of observing both the micro- and the macrocosmic world--observations that have confirmed many of Hawking's theoretical predictions in the first edition of his book.

Now a decade later, this edition updates the chapters throughout to document those advances, and also includes an entirely new chapter on Wormholes and Time Travel and a new introduction. It make vividly clear why A Brief History of Time has transformed our view of the universe.

Customer Reviews:

• Review of A Brief History in Time
  A Brief History in Time, written by brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking, explores the nature and fundamental principles of the universe. Hawking talks about how the belief regarding the structure of the universe as changed from Aristotle's model which placed Earth at the center of the universe, to today's current model. He discusses the big bang theory and it accuracy. Hawking explains the principal of an expanding universe and discusses the three different theories regarding the expanding universe. The book also delves into the nature of black holes and goes on to explain the properties of black holes. Throughout his book Hawking talks about all the important discoveries made by scientist, including some of his own, that led to today's understanding of the universe. I thought that this book was a good overview of the universe and the laws that govern it. It explained the fundamentals of the universe thoroughly, and usually at a level that most people could understand. However, at some points it got a little too deep into complex science that most people would not have prior knowledge in. Hawking most likely wrote this book as a source of general knowledge for the public. I recommend this story to anyone with an interest in physics and the universe because it is a great source of information about the universe....more info
• An excellent overview of modern physics.
  If you can find it, I recommend this version over the original "Brief History of Time". This version was written about 8 years later and as such incorporates much that has been learned over the intervening years. In addition, the illustrations greatly enhance the text. They are not only a joy to look at, but actually make the book more understandable. The original work has been characterized as one of the most popular, but unread books of all time. Much of the unread characterization stems from the fact that this is a difficult book unless one has had some minimal understanding of physics. Minimal is, however, the appropriate word as one need not be a physicist to get a lot from this book, but one should not be put off by a discussion of quarks, gluons, gravitons, wormholes or string theory.
  
  The first chapters deal with the classical view of physics and the universe. This is followed by discussions of the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. It is important to note that these are not rigorous discussions, indeed no mathematics is used and the discussion is entirely devoted to the basic ideas and implications of these theories. At least one reviewer has criticized the fact that these subjects have not been developed in any detail, but rather are just expounded. I think that this misses the point. This is not a physics text; rather it tries (I think very successfully) to show the reader the beauty and implications of modern physics. I found the discussion of modern particle physics to be one of the best very elementary treatments that I have ever read. Next he discusses black holes and the origin of the universe. Again, I found his discussion of black holes to be one of the best very elementary treatments that I have ever read. The last chapters on wormholes, time travel and grand unified theories are more speculative than the preceding chapters, but the reader is clearly forewarned that this is the case. (The most speculative, and in my opinion least clear chapter, was the one on wormholes and time travel, which was not in the original version of "A brief History of Time".)
  
  I liked this book a lot and do not agree with those who found it to be unclear and very difficult to follow, but I can see how those with no physics background at all would find it too difficult to finish. This version has the virtue of pictures which make following Hawking's text a bit easier to follow and as he states in the forward "Even if you only look at the pictures and their captions you should get some idea of what is going on."
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• This is not your father's physics course
  This book will forever dispell any thought that physics is a dull old-man's subject. Dr. Hawkings still carries that little-boy enhtusiasm that will make you love theoretical physics. His descriptions are clear while never diminishing the great wonder of a complex universe. He opens our minds to a universe we thought we knew but have hardly seen. A great resource to feed the inquisitive soul. ...more info
• Disappointed
  I agree with the reviewers who were disappointed in this book and don't understand its success. I am a well-educated person with a science background and I was able to grasp only about 80% of what he talked about.
  
  The book wasn't well written. One of the most frustrating things he did -mainly in the first few chapters- was explain a theory and then, a few pages later, tell you that it had been disproved. Some things he explains in great detail and others he does not. The illustrations aren't very helpful. I also was a little sick of all his personal interjections - he thinks quite highly of himself. Obviously, the man is a world-renowned physicist, so you would think he wouldn't need to toot his own horn, but......more info
• Bumpy RIDE!!!!!!!
  Hawkins may provide amazing insight into Astrophysics and have a Brillant Mind. However, he does a medicore job in explaining things and his writting style is often "choppy" and hard to read. He just does not expand on things well. The concepts in the book can be hard to grasp and the writting can make it very hard to stay focus.
  I find other authors to be a much better selection like Neil Tyson with equal insight for the layman.
  
  The book does provide alot of amazing insight into things like Black Holes, Time Travel, Entropy, Relativity and other cosmic delights....more info
• On Time and Good
  This vendor got me 'A Brief History of Time' very quickly and it was in excellent condition. Highly recommend them....more info
• book
  Book was delivered promptly although it is rolled up into a big S which makes holding it and flipping pages awkward. I will press the book under a stack of books and it should be perfect...more info
• Teeth Grinding
  Mr.Hawkings has to be one of the worst writers of all time his interviews are good and I like his documentaries he just can't write. I thought after reading A Briefer History of Time and everyone talking about how this one was better I thought I would give it a chance and it was not better it was worst. If you want to read about this subject I recommend Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos which was a breath of fresh air after this disaster of a book. Mr. Kaku is much better at writing and is better a conveying Mr. Hawkings Ideals than Mr.Hawkings....more info
• diminishing returns
  The gains from reading this book are directly proportional to the amount of pictures in it since the quality of the writing is consistently mediocre;one passes the event horizon around page 100. ...more info
• Absolutely wonderful book, read it!
  Overview:
  As the title says this book is a brief overview of the current state of theoretical physics circa 1988 as written by one of the field's brightest minds, Stephen Hawking. It is not so intimidating as it may at first sound as it does not utilize any equations but simply expresses complex ideas in the simplest terms available to the author.
  
  Points of Interest:
  Where to begin!? This is a book that should be required reading in my mind as it presents ideas that define the universe we live in as developed by the brightest minds the human species has produced. But before I get ahead of myself let me add this caveat: the book does present very complex ideas and if you are a layperson coming to the subjects of cosmology and theoretical physics then this may be a bit overwhelming. I have a very large interest in the subject and have managed to familiarize myself with many of the topics presented. If you would like to educate yourself a bit about these things (and you should, as they are fascinating!) then I would suggest checking out some TV specials (yes I am breaking a cardinal rule and suggesting that you watch TV) on the subjects of cosmology, quantum physics, and relativity. Do not be intimidated by these subjects! With a little effort you can open doors for your mind that will expand your perspectives on life.
  
  Now, this book in particular does a brilliant job of exploring the big topics of theoretical physics: where did we come from, where are we going and why are we here? Sound familiar? They should, because those are the big questions that every religious and many philosophical systems have attempted to answer since man began painting on cave walls.
  
  The primary difference between most religions' approach to these questions and science is simply that religions propose to have the answers without verifiable proof, where science presents a theory with available evidence and says, prove me wrong. This fundamental difference is what fascinates me with the topic. Religions are static and unchanging (or at least claim to be) whereas science is dynamic and ever changing, adapting to new information.
  
  Hawking begins by describing some of the models human beings have had of the universe. The model used previously was that of the Earth at the center, with everything else rotating around it. Hawking discusses the idea that the earth had also been thought to be flat, or supported on the back of a giant tortoise as believed by some indigenous peoples.
  
  We now know all of these to be untrue. Hawking then goes on to stress the importance of asking questions and to not simply accept that which has been held as truth but has not been proven to be true. For example we now know that the idea held in western society that the earth was the center of the universe (which the catholic church threatened to excommunicate Galileo for challenging, and another Philosopher, Girodono Bruno, was burned at the stake for the same reason) is no less silly than the idea that it rested on the back of a giant tortoise. Yet this was held to be undeniable truth for centuries. Another example of this resistance to new ideas is the story told by Hawking of a meeting he had with the Pope where he was told to study only the events after the Big Bang (the proposed beginning of the universe) but not the Big Bang itself as this was believed to be the act of creation and forbidden knowledge to man. The Church forbade this because they were afraid of what would be discovered just as they had been afraid of Copernicus' model of a Universe in which the Earth was not at the center. These ideas challenged doctrine and the uncovering of the Big Bang could have revealed a universe in which there was no room for God as defined in the Bible.
  
  This is an interesting point also because Hawking addresses the difficulty many scientists' have in reconciling there religious beliefs and scientific knowledge. Einstein for example refused to believe Quantum Physics because it showed us that the universe is fundamentally chaotic. He stated that he would not accept the theory as he felt that God did not play dice. However, we now know that Quantum Physics do dictate the actions of fundamental particles (which is a bit ironic of a statement as fundamental particles are inherently unpredictable!).
  
  One of the structural devices Hawking's uses throughout the book is to present similar previously held notions at the beginning of a chapter and then to explain how they were overturned and by whom. This creates within the reader a sense that the foundations of science have been laid over many years built up in steps with each proceeding step reliant on the previous. It is also interesting to me that the science community places such a large emphasis on giving credit to those who made the crucial discoveries. It makes me think of the Pyramids of Egypt, these men trying to write their names into history. As for longevity though, I would say that an essential law or equation that defines the universe in which we live would have a far greater impact than a man-made mountain. The mountain fades with time; a fundamental truth will endure and is a hell of a lot more useful to the rest of us.
  
  Hawking also takes pains to mention his contributions to the field and his interactions with his colleagues, which at times are all too human. Even a man humbled by a broken body is not free of his ego! That made me chuckle, but it also colors the book with Hawking's personality which I found gave it a personal touch lacking in many similar works I have read.
  
  The book does a wonderful job of making understandable such complex topics as singularities, gravity, quantum mechanics, space time, the fundamental laws of the universe and black holes. Hawking's breaks down the basic mechanics of these complex subjects and explains how they determine the universe we live in. He then goes on to explain how these have led him to construct a model of the universe that he believes to be accurate. The theories and questions he raises should elicit thought in any mind, regardless of personal belief. They are independently verifiable by anyone willing to take the time to understand them, which is what has always drawn my mind to theoretical physics and science and mathematics in general. This does not require any leap of faith, only a verification of facts. An individual is not confined to simply accepting and obeying the laws and origins of the universe but to interact with and help shape the discovering of them. That for me empowers man instead of an unseen deity and makes the journey of life so much more exciting as the emphasis is on the now and not a potential afterlife. In this system man is the key player and star of the show with the present being the critical time, not the past and all of its collected ghosts and myths or a hereafter which may or may not exist.
  
  Hawking addresses this when he discusses the fact that the Universe as far as we know it had to exist exactly the way it does in order to have produced intelligent life capable of observing and questioning it. This proposes some fascinating questions about our place and purpose. Are we here to give order and purpose to a Universe that would otherwise go unappreciated, and unobserved? Perhaps simply existing is the meaning of our lives; perhaps we need to look for no further justification than that to explain our purpose here. These are just some of the many ideas that buzz through my mind when I consider this book.
  
  Some of the possibilities proposed by Hawking in the book will twist your mind into pretzels: infinite alternate dimensions expanding infinitely, multitudes of dimensions beyond the four we operate in that exist all around us yet we are unaware of, just to name a few. This book is a roller coaster ride for your mind.
  
  The conclusion to the book was profound for me as it proposed further models for the universe which are even now being explored. To unify all of physics with a single theory is the ultimate goal. Hawking's closes with the statement that to achieve the unification of physics would be to understand the mind of God....more info
• History of time
  This book is a good history of time. My first real book on cosmology. Since then, there have many other discoveries in the field that make our understanding of things slightly difference. Still this is a really good first book at understanding cosmology. They're just a little too worried that readers won't understand it if they add something a little technical. It becomes a book good only for those who will never grasp anything more, or a first book for those who will graduate to more descriptive, technical books....more info
• Very thought provoking
  This book surprised me .. while I expected it to be brilliant in answering some of the basic questions often asked about our universe as it did, the depth of physics that it covered and linkages such as with philosophy were extremely thought provoking. ...more info
• Overview of Novel
  First, let me give you some background about myself before my overview of the novel. Ever since I can remember, I have questioned not only the world around me, but the world beyond. I am curious about events and objects that affect my life, but it is the abstract topics, the ones that are literally out of this world. that intrigue me the most.
  An understanding of space has eluded man since the beginning of time. Although mankind has made small steps and giant leaps, especially in the last 50 years, much about space continues to elude us. It is the mystery of black holes and an expanding universe that fascinate me. From increasing global warming to the continued inhabitability of our planet, an understanding of space is more relevant than ever. However, for me, the most fascinating aspect of space study is its relationship to the concept of time.
  Time has been commonly defined as a non-spatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. However, near a black hole the rules of geometry and time are no longer applicable because inescapable forces pull at the speed of light and are thought to result in the stoppage of time.
  Stephen Hawking, who currently resides in Cambridge, England, is currently the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and author of the bestseller, A Brief History of Time. Stephen Hawking is considered the foremost expert on black holes. In this novel he claims to have solved the black hole information paradox with his "Hawking Radiation" postulate which states that matter which falls into black holes is not lost in a breach of quantum physics, but rather emitted in the form of quantum fluctuations in the event horizon. Stephen Hawking discusses his theories on black holes and the concept of time. While reading the novel, it is captivating to ponder the unknown future of space exploration regarding black holes. He examines questions such as if it is possible to reach a black hole. Would it be possible to stand upon the event horizon of a black hole and live forever because time stops? Could a black hole be useful to us? Does a black hole eventually shrink and disappear? It is because of my curiosity and interest in spatial wonders that I believe this is a very rewarding novel. ...more info
• Do I need to talk about this book
  This is a fine book for people who love physics of those who are curious about the universe they are in. A great book by a great scientist....more info
• MAYBE WORTH THE EFFORT FO SOME BUT...
  ONCE A BOOK BECOMES A BESTSELLER, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO FIND NEGATIVE REVIEWS OF THAT BOOK. THIS BOOK MAYBE A BESTSELLER BUT I DON'T THINK A NON-PHYSICIST WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE AUTHOR. UNLESS ONE IS PREPARED TO EXERT ONESELF MENTALLY TO A GREAT EXTENT, ONE SHOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO READ THIS BOOK. ONE OF MY FRIENDS, WHO IS A PHYSICS UNDERGRADUATE RECOMMENDED IT TO ME. I AM A PHARMACIST AND EVENTHOUGH I LEARNT A FEW SURPRISING THINGS FROM THIS BOOK HERE AND THERE, I WAS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND IT AND UNTIMATELY HAD TO LEAVE IT ONLY HALF-READ. ...more info
• Needs Perseverance
  In this book, Hawking definitely succeeds at making one understand the very complex side of physics. I chose it in the hope of understanding Einstein's theory of relativity and black holes, the latter of which he describes well and the former of which he names often but does not explain. I found that although everything he mentions is fascinating and totally mind-boggling (such as the make-up of what we thought were indivisible atoms, the difference between real and virtual particles and waves, and his discussions of space-time and singularities and the expansion of the universe), many times it is not well-written and can take a while to decipher, although the diagrams and other illstrations are, for the most part, pretty helpful. One thing that I found particularly annoying was his constant assertion of credibility - "... a position that Isaac Newton once held, and which is now my own ..." - we all know how ingenius Hawking is, its part of why we chose to read the book, right? As the heading to this review implies, the book is gripping in a few parts but, in most, it requires a large amount of determination and a "want-to-know." If you're not interested in physics and astronomy and essential theory without proof (which can be quite frustrating), this book is not for you. But if you're looking for a better understanding of the when, where, how, why of the universe, I'd say give it a shot - you may enjoy it....more info
• Cosmos for All
  Stephen Hawking is a man deffinitly worth admiration. Some say this book is far too complicated and goes way over the common man's head, but I read this in 9th grade, and understood most of the content. This book stemmed a personal love and passion to learn more about Space. Great book!...more info
• This is a real Gem!!!
  I loved this book, and my kids loved the rich illustrations. This book takes an extremely complex topic and tries to break it down to where even i can understand it. We learned so much from this. Thanks for publishing it. We would buy it again....more info
• How Did We Get Here?
  Hawking presents a scientific and philosophical view of the universe via the most complicated theories of mathematics and science in layman's terms. That said, the book requires a second reading. There's so much intriguing information in the book's 191 pages that on a first reading, I believe it would be difficult for anyone (without advanced knowledge of astrophysics, quantum mechanics, etc.) to conceptualize all the book contains and postulates. Nonetheless, an incredible book for anyone asking such questions as: how did we get here and where are we going? among others....more info
• The man is brilliant but its way over my head.
  Steven Hawking is a genius there is no question about it. If I only got to page 15 because I really couldn't understand the concept that is not a problem with the book it's a problem with me and my level of intelligence (way below that of the author) but at least I have the guts to admit it.
  
  Overall-Steven Hawking shouldn't have to apologize for being a genius those of us who don't understand the book just have to get smarter.
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• unintelligible
  History will look back at this best selling book and here is what it should say: This book is very lucid to those who have not read it, but it is quite unintelligible to those who have. Buy this book, it doesn't cost that much, to see how a supposedly great scientist cannot put together a coherent thought on paper. It you want to read clear scientific writing, read Lev Landau and then compare to this tripe by Hawking....more info
• A little too glib for my tastes
  I wish Hawking would have put more flesh on some of the skeletons that he outlines. Clearly, he could have done so, for he is one of the great lights in modern physics. Still, it's a good overview for those who are interested but can't find time to read more in-depth accounts....more info
• a pleasure to read
  Many years after its initial release, this book is still a great pleasure to read. Written in a conversational tone, much of it is probably readily understandable to most readers. However, some parts of it, especially toward the end, aren't exactly simple by any means. Any curious reader, even if not particularly interested in physics or astronomy, will find this little book to be a gem. An extra treat is a few pages at the end describing prominent events from the lives of Einstein, Galileo, and Newton. Highly recommended read. Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health....more info
• Informative, fascinating, highly readable
  A fascinating, non-technical explanation of the modern concepts of theoretical physics. Full of wonder and surprise...makes us look at the world and universe with a fresh pair of eyes. A modern classic. ...more info
• Brilliant
  One review stated " It Will Change the Way You Look at the Universe!" I have found this to be true and at a young age, it definitely sparked my interest in conceptual physics. I own this book in hardback and have found that the illustrations go a long way in explaining the content. A Brief History of Time explains a range of subjects in cosmology, including the Big Bang, black holes, light cones and superstring theory, to the nonspecialist reader.
  
  A great book for both young and adult readers....more info
• Updated Edition
  A Brief History of Time has had a tremendous impact on scientific thought since its initial publication in 1988. The Big Bang and Black Holes have become parts of our common vocabulary. Why review this book now? Perhaps some readers are not aware of a special Commemorative Edition of this book that was issued as an "Updated Edition" on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its initial publication. In the "Acknowledgements" at the beginning of the book, Hawking gives great credit to his editors and friends who have helped him improve the book "considerably" in revising the text. In this Edition, Hawking states "I have taken the opportunity to update the book and include new theoretical and observational results obtained since the book was first published. I have included a new chapter on wormholes and time travel. I also describe the progress that has been made recently in finding dualities or correspondences between apparently different theories of physics." A discussion of the significance of cosmic microwave background and its fluctuations is included. These are great reasons to reread this classic work, which has to be one of the finest in the history of science....more info
• A nice, conceptual overview of the thought behind theoretical physics
  Reading this 10 years after the 10th edition was published, I find the science has advanced well beyond what is within the book, but at the same time the scope of the book remains relevant.
  
  This should really be considered a history of philosophy of science, for indeed it is. There is only one equation in the entire book (E=MC squared), and there is no math done in here, so it should be accessible to really anyone.
  
  I don't think the material gets dry so much as a little hard to follow at times. You can only explain so much of complex mathematical proofs in entirely conceptual terms. Prof. Hawking has sacrificed complexity for readibility, and overall he's done well.
  
  You won't be a theoretical physicist after reading this book, but you may enjoy the field enough to pick up a slightly more in-depth tome....more info
• Great Book
  This book provides an excellent description of the history of physics and the current status of physics. Hawking is quite good at making extremely complicated subjects (such as quantum theory) comprehensible for the average person, although some topics could have been explained a bit better. It is also quite interesting to be reading it from Hawking's perspective because he adds a personal touch to the subject and often includes details about his own research in certain areas of physics. The book often talks about God / a creator and how it might tie in with the beginning of the universe and other aspects of physics, but Hawking never shows any bias towards or against religion; he only talks about it in a purely scientific manner (for example, he explains why some scientific theories about the beginning of the universe actually need a creator in order for them to make sense).
  
  Overall it was a very interesting read and I highly recommend it....more info
• great book, interesting theories
  I first fell upon this book at the library(an older version), and I fell in love with it while reading the first chapter. I have to admit it is not an easy read. Sometimes I caught myself reading and re-reading paragraphs to fully understand what in the heck Hawking was talking about. A lot of my lack of understanding and misunderstandings of the universe and its properties have been set straight because of this book. At the very least it makes for a great coffee table book and conversation instigator....more info
• Great book
  Very informative and fun to read. Gets a little hard to understand at times because what Hawking is trying to explain is not trivial at all, but he does a great job at explaining it....more info
• Joy to read
  This great mind tries to explain to us laymen the principles of space and time, and he does it quite well. There are of course theories intermingled in amongst the hard science. It is so easily read and understandable that it is a joy to read. Black holes and quarks I find to be especially fascinating. This book is a good starter for understanding the particle science, the universe and the unknown.
  
  Wish you well
  Scott...more info
• A Masterpiece for the Patient
  Stephen Hawking has crafted a masterpiece that requires only two qualities of the reader: patience and an open mind. For those willing to take the (often substantial) time required to digest the material and accept (or even challenge) it, a awe inspiring world awaits. This book is rightfully one of the best selling books of all time, and a must read for anyone who has any interest in the world around them....more info