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

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Awesome

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

2 of 2 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)

2 of 2 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

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

Just perfect

Stephen Hawking as we all know is one incredible human. I've read three of his books now and marvel at how he explains some of the most mind stretching ideas in the universe, in a way that is accessible to the ordinary person. His wit and positivity shine through. He is just phenomenal.

The afterward by Lucy Hawking had me in tears. It was an insight into Professor Hawking, the Dad, and person. Im going to go and watch his films and documentariea next I think.

The book has also made me realise the importance of having a great teacher to spark the imagination of the next generation of scientists and engineers. I hope I can step up to the mark, for my home educated son.

delightful

This is a delightful short read well worth a credit. it is great to hear Prof Hawkings optimism about our future as well as his warnings on how to get there.

excellent!!!

inspiration for the hard to inspire (like me). Very easy to read/listen and heartily recommended.

Truly incredible

This book has genuinely changed my life for the better. I went through an uncannily similar experience around the same time and duration of this. Whilst the context is different, the journey is virtually identical. I’m blown away with Poorna’s ability to recall and reflect. everyone needs to read this.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful