A Brief History of Time

By: Stephen Hawking

Narrated by: Michael Jackson

Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

This landmark book is for those of us who prefer words to equations; this is the story of the ultimate quest for knowledge, the ongoing search for the secrets at the heart of time and space. Its author, Stephen W. Hawking, is arguably the greatest mind since Einstein. From the vantage point of the wheelchair, where he has spent the last 20 years trapped by Lou Gehrig's disease, Professor Hawking has transformed our view of the universe. A Brief History of Time is Hawking's classic introduction to today's most important scientific ideas about the cosmos. It is read here by the Emmy Award-winning host of The Michael Jackson Show on KABC-TV.

©1988 Stephen W. Hawking (P)2005 Phoenix Books, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A masterful summary of what physicists now think the world is made of and how it got that way." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Lively and provocative, Hawking clearly possesses a natural teacher's gift, easy, good-natured humor, and an ability to illustrate highly complex propositions with analogies plucked from daily life." (The New York Times)

I Gained Something by Reading This

Though I certainly struggled to follow at many points of the book, particularly once quantum theory was introduced, I feel like I really gained something by reading it. I will note that I was a bit conflicted about the reader. The occasional pauses, uhs, and audible page turns did not have the feel of the more polished readings on audible, and were occasionally distracting. most of the time it was fairly charming, though, and whenever I heard him spontaneously chuckle at one of Hawking's jokes it warmed my heart.

Very wonderfully read

I enjoyed this content very much. Was very well read and is an execellent book

Great for learning

This book is great if you're looking to learn more about physics.I would highly recommend it.

bien

excelentes descripciones. Muy recomendable para los que somos curiosos y queremos escuchar a s científicos

Basically well done, just outdated now

Much of the theories in the book have been long since disproven such as the universe expanding and slowing followed by " the Big Crunch". This had been now shown that the universe is actually expanding at an ever increasing rate and will end in a quiet fade to dark. But at the time this was written this information was not known. No fault of the author as things change as new discoveries are made. Still worth a listen.

And expose of theoretical physics and cosmology.

This is an in ordinate Lee lucid presentation of complex astrophysics which may allow for why dissemination of the important series of modern thought.

Not light listening

What made the experience of listening to A Brief History of Time the most enjoyable?

The content of the book itself, although a smidge outdated compared to the accepted cosmological standards of today, it's a pretty good depiction of the state of astronomy and cosmology overall. A good read, for sure but not for just casual reading unless you're already very familiar with the subject.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Michael Jackson?

Not really, this was the only downside to the book. The narrator seemed lost or confused at some points, you could hear the pages turning from time to time and it was as if he was contemplating the content of the book as he read it. Overall unimpressive, I would avoid a book if it were narrated by him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

Excellent book. Well worth a copy on your shelf and a listen via Audible. The story gets 5 stars while the performance gets 3.

Excellent physics lesson for the general populace

Excellent physics lesson for the general populace. What a great book to learn more about our Universe and the theories that are currently being explored. Thank you for bringing your world to the general public, Stephen!

A good audiobook.

The content is engaging and the writing style is well suited to an audio book.

The narration occasionally follows an incongruous cadence that is a little disconcerting but overall not an unpleasant experience.

Hawking explains advanced topics with simplicity and wit.

Hawking explains advanced topics with simplicity and wit. This was such a pleasure to listen