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)

Hawking succeeds in mind-blowing physics, real

Once I started listening to this book, I paused only briefly,then listened all the way through. THE GRAND DESIGN delivers on promises to explain incomprehensibly abstract concepts in a manner accessible to non scientists. The topics were discussed thoroughly, and the analagies given helped me to picture the various acrobatics of teeny tiny particles. The scientific method, it's history, and rocky road to the elegant system of understanding reality we have today, were also described, in terms of "sciences'" own mistakes and ravenously canibalistic culture where truth/evidence/transparency/descriptive and prescriptive powers are valued more than the feelings/reputation of any given scientist. This book does a great job of explaining WHY some deeply held "values" are fallacious, and based on specious arguments, and can be easily deconstructed. I enjoyed listening as such seeemingly odd physics were detailed, because the quantum world is so counter intuitive to our macro world. I recommend this book more so than "A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME", because this new book is entirely more entertaining and compelling. It is a lovely addition to the many wonderful books, written by non believers, which popularize science, and more importantly, teach critical thinking.

Interesting

What made the experience of listening to The Grand Design the most enjoyable?

Discussing the Big Questions.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stephen Hawking, although there really isn't a character.

What does Steve West bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The best narrator I've heard so far! He combines an English accent that is easy and soothing for an American to listen to. He just has a pleasing voice that is hard to describe in words. It's like the saying

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

The whole wierdness about quantum physics. It is hard to fathem the Universe acting this way.

Any additional comments?

This listen will not be to everyones liking because it gets a bit technical, although I think they do as good of a job as anyone else in trying to bring it down to laymans terms. Science buffs should enjoy this even if we also don't quite

The best minds make it easy

The best minds make it easy to understand the complex. The Grand Design is a brilliant work of concept, to believe or not to believe that is the question. We can only imagine the possibilities.

beautifully articulated

learn about the physics of cosmology and creation. this book is awesome. i would recommend

Another Great Success For Stephen Hawking!

Excellent As usual. Narration Was very good. Subject content was outstanding. I highly recommend it.

Wonderful Design

Stephen Hawking wrote one more master piece to enhance and enlarge our tiny and limited knowledge of the universe.

Fascinating story !

The book was a great read well explained and written
The reader did a great performance nice voice enjoyed every word

A GREAT book but not purely science

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. It was a great overview of a lot of physics that I already knew through many other readings, but also a great lesson in the history of man's knowledge about the world and universe we live in. While the authors do overextend themselves to a realm outside of physics when trying to declare the lack of need of God, I share their belief so I appreciated their conclusions. There will be many knocks on this book for stepping outside their box, but that WAS their point. While this is a science book written by physicists, it is also their take on the question of the origin of life, the universe, and everything. Just read the title, it's not called "How Physics Explains the Universe".

Thought provoking

The book is thought provoking and well narrated. The argument in the book are really sound and it is easy to understand how the universe works after listening to the book.

Along the lines of "A Brief History of Time"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I usually listen to this type of material while driving to my office, and this book OK for that matter.

What aspect of Steve West’s performance would you have changed?

It is well read, good performance by West.

Do you think The Grand Design needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I do not think Hawking will find an answer to his quest of The Theory of Everything. I disagree with the statement that Philosophy is dead and that it is the time for the Physicists to understand the reasons, it sounds pompous. Hawking is condescend in his delivery and writings.