The Grand Design

By: Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Fascinating . . . a wealth of ideas [that] leave us with a clearer understanding of modern physics in all its invigorating complexity.”—Los Angeles Times

When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? In The Grand Design, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most illuminating scientific thinking about these and other abiding mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by brilliance and simplicity.

According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a “theory of everything”: the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason.

A succinct, startling, and lavishly illustrated guide to discoveries that are altering our understanding and threatening some of our most cherished belief systems, The Grand Design is a book that will inform—and provoke—like no other.

©2010 Steven Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Introduces the reader to topics at the frontier of theoretical physics . . . more clearly for general readers than I have seen before.” (Steven Weinberg, The New York Review of Books)

“Provocative pop science, an exploration of the latest thinking about the origins of our universe.” (The New York Times)

Overall a good book!

What did you love best about The Grand Design?

A good review of the scientific advances for 70% of the book.

Any additional comments?

The concepts of quantum physics and multiple dimensions are difficult to understand beyond the initial simple introductions. The written book might make it easier to stop and contemplate these concepts, especially it they were associated with graphics. Overall I enjoyed the book.

Science geek worthy

Very clear very easy on the ears and worthy of any science nut out there

Complex Science/Philosophy Clearly Presented

If you could sum up The Grand Design in three words, what would they be?

Condensed -- Comprehensible -- Pithy

Who was your favorite character and why?

Although esoteric by their sheer complexity, both astrophysics, with its quarks and nutrinos, and contemplative philosophy are topics both enigmatic and yet intriguing. Hawking takes these seemingly contradictory disciplines and weaves a tapestry with them that is both logically formulated, definitively expressed and, most importantly, captures your attention. His mosaic is clearly understood in terms common to the lay person.

Have you listened to any of Steve West’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. Mr West's presentation is well enunciated with pleasant intonation and at a pace which permits the listener ample time to cogently process the data presented.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Although no exact moment is definable, yet the amalgamation (summation if you will) of these divergent disciplines was quite excellently presented. Hawking presents not only his scientific conclusions but, equally importantly, his philosophical perspectives as a result.

Any additional comments?

Best listened to two or three times with a month or more between listenings to process and appreciate the scope of the data presented as well as its application, if any, for the individual.

Mind. Blown.

This was my first Hawking book and I admit I forgot he was British. But his dey 1 liners sprinkled throughout gave me a good chuckle as he explains our existince with science.

great book.

Just as good as Stephen's other books. good examples. well written. subtle sense of humor.

Complex astrophysics & Quantum Mechanics explained clearly.

Enjoyed this comprehensive physics course by Stephen Hawking, narrated superbly by Steve West. Listen twice to chapters to attain and understand the complex mechanics of these universal cosmic theories..

Great explanations for very complex physics

I especially like how they explain why we live in a universe with the fundamental laws the way they are.

Overall a worthwhile read.

Clear presentation, understandable to the lay man.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have recommended it to a friend who shares an interest in the advancement of scientific understanding, for the reasons cited in the headline.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The cosmos, because it exceeds Cleopatra in its infinite variety and mysterious allure and secondarily the cleverness of the detectives in following the clues in the most recent chapter, while posing mysteries yet unsolved.

What about Steve West’s performance did you like?

I thought it excelent.

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

If you mean was it sufficently intriguing to want not to put it down, the answer is yes. However the length precluded that and it was equally gratifying to look forward to the remainder.

Any additional comments?

I could only wish that Hawkings could accept the intelligent action of a devine being and not be held by the belief that intelligence is a relatively recent development. Eveything about everything makes more sense to me with that belief I hold, that God is and that the ellivated consciousness of man has produced riches in art, literature and thought, seeking harmony with that Being.

Loved it, loved the humor.

I loved the book, had to keep rewinding to keep pace with the ideas, but the transition across the ideas was well implemented. the Anecdotes within the book helped a lot, simple humour, but totally worth its weight.

Radical Thinking

Where does The Grand Design rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Average; I believe the story is good, but there are some 'jokes' in the story, that could be narrated better. In general it does require some general knowledge of physics, and it could be very abstract in some parts.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the ideas in terms they are scientifically supported, but also radical in nature, able to explain many things that had being teach by religion like 'dogmas'; nice to some other explanations

What about Steve West’s performance did you like?

It is good, but not outstanding, some of the parts were narrated pretty fast, specially the more hard concepts, could go a little bit slower; also as I mention, having little more 'emotion' when telling the story 'jokes'

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did make thing a lot, reflection mode, it would be quite 'chocking' for a very religion person