Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking, Professor Kip Thorne - foreword

Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon - foreword, Lucy Hawking - afterword

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Read by Ben Whishaw and Garrick Hagon, with an afterword read by Lucy Hawking.  

The world-famous cosmologist and number one best-selling author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the universe's biggest questions in this brilliant posthumous work.

How did the universe begin? Will humanity survive on Earth? Is there intelligent life beyond our solar system? Could artificial intelligence ever outsmart us?

Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. But even as his theoretical work on black holes, imaginary time and multiple histories took his mind to the furthest reaches of space, Hawking always believed that science could also be used to fix the problems on our planet.

And now, as we face potentially catastrophic changes here on Earth - from climate change to dwindling natural resources to the threat of artificial superintelligence - Stephen Hawking turns his attention to the most urgent issues for humankind.

Wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating, passionately argued and infused with his characteristic humour, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, the final book from one of the greatest minds in history, is a personal view on the challenges we face as a human race and where we, as a planet, are heading next.

©2018 Stephen Hawking (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

interesting but not deep enough

it goes through many ideas without to deep in any... that felt odd, I wish it was longer...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

All you need to know on the universe

A complete map of the work of Hawking and other scientists regarding astro physics and other fields. Explained for someone who has a basic knowledge on the nature of the universe.

Deep, intelligent, thought provoking

One of the best listens I have experienced over the Christmas period, full of current topics and deep questions, relevant to the future of life on Earth.

Brief, honest and funny! #5stars

The book is exactly that - brief and provides objective information from all relevant perspectives. #5stars

Awesome

Awesome and inspiring! Loved listening to the opinions and thoughts of a great mind. A must listen!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Look up to the stars, not down at your feet.

Stephen Hawking was such a wonderful populariser of physics and cosmology, with a knack for explaining the most complicated science in such a way that even a layman like myself could begin to understand it. He was also a voice of reason in a world that often seems lacking in that quality.

This book covers a variety of questions Hawking has been asked, or addressed over the years - is there a God? What came before the big bang? Might AI develop a will of its own and become a threat to mankind? How did life begin? His answers are at once both challenging and informative. At just under five hours this is quite brief, but also fantastically enjoyable - I listened to the whole thing in a single day. I especially enjoyed the brief sections in Professor Hawking's own familiar, assisted, voice. Ben Whishaw was also excellent reading the main text.


"Remember to look up at the stars not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder what makes the universe exist. Be curious". - Stephen Hawking (1942 - 2018)

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Wonderful. Profound. Human

Yes, Stephen Hawking certainly made a contribution and brings perspective to our human challenges. Wonderful, thought provoking and generous

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A beautiful book written by one most beautiful mind

I never read a book of Stephen Hawking before as I thought that his theories might be quite difficult to understand by a person without scientific background. Surprisingly he made everything clear, interesting and touching to read.
It’s a book about physics, and about life; Stephen Hawking’s intelligent, optimistic, brave life, and what he expected human beings would enjoy.
Beautifully read by Ben Whishaw with a clean and tender voice.
Worth listening for everyone, interested or not in Theoretical Physics. The book will make one feel that life is a bonus.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

One to read before you die

An incredible book by an incredible man, Stephen Hawking goes out with an incredible read. Complex issues told in an easy way. An amazing look into the forecast for the future.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Inspirational as it is fascinating

I loved listening to this book. The foreward & afterward were especially touching.
Stephen is an amazing person, his brilliance in communicating complex ideas is one of a kind and what also shines through is his human side. His concern for the faith of planet earth, people and nature. His sense of humour is sweet, funny and to the point. I enjoy his jokes.... maybe he should be a sit down comedian.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Truly a revelation even for a non physicist

Whilst I had already read a Brief History of Time, this book added a whole extra layer of understanding of Cosmology and the big questions facing us and our planet. I feel that the book should be compulsory reading in schools at A level and for ALL politicians. Stephen a truly remarkable man

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Absolutely amazing.

I didn't think I'd ever cry reading a smart thinking book but here we are.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

What to say?

There is really no reason why you shouldn’t get this audible book, it is a beautiful last piece of work. The world is a lesser place without Stephen Hawking.

Just get the book.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Interesting listen<br />

Great book. Very insightful. Despite there being sections beyond my understanding I learned a great deal and you have to admire Stephen as a human being in facing the adversity he did so well.