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)

surprisingly easy to follow

this was surprisingly easy to follow and very thought provoking. I will listen to it several more times.

Too complex

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

The problem with this book is it is too complex. The target audience I feel is a master's in physics. At least to fully appreciate the book. I've had many physics courses in college so this did help to brush up some physics knowledge but honestly I could not fully apppreciate the book because it was too complex. It would serve well to have a precursor book to condition the reader before jumping into this content.

good

Very good but also a bit confusing at times. I'll be listening to it again to get more from it

Very Grand!

I like the way Stephen describes mathematics and physics in a layman's level. Very nice!

Modern physics for the non-physicist

I have been interested in modern physics Md since I first read Einstein. The field has grown enormously and this tome is an excellent survey of a complex and changing field of science.

Almost what I want

I would love to give a better review, but, to do that, I'd had have to understand it!
Too complicated, I had to listen and read to understand some chapters...

Thorough and approachable

Excellent reading of excellent material. A bit deep for me toward the end, but another listen helped.

Mind blowing

Interesting to listen to if you enjoy science. It can be a bit chewy, but it moves along fairly quickly. I'd listen to it again.

Interesting audio but Surprised listener

I had a good time listening to Grand design.. Many facts were simplified to general listeners.. I do recommending it but it has given inappropriately non-scientific approaches unrealistic basis.. Just as long as they would help in finding an escape from believing in The creator.. I wandered at the end how present century thinkers are not different from the old ones.. The old ones, believing that the earth is carried over the horns of a cow, have managed to find an explanation for every earthly phenomenon as winds, earth quick..etc

Funny, Interesting, Anti-God

Well thought out presentation of some rather complex subjects. Presented in such a way that most with a good high school education can understand. And very very interesting.

The humor thrown in was an added bonus and made it rather fun.

The Anti-God presentation wasn't needed. I'm not sure it's up to science to decide if God exists or not. This is the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5. It's not something that science can prove or disprove so while it might be worthwhile in a psychology text I'm not sure it belongs in a physics text.