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

Wonderful

Perfect pick as my first Hawking's book.
Great performance and very understandable for a young adult.

I don't have a long attention span so at times I had to rewing a minute to grasp the concept but I enjoyed 100% all of the book.

By the end I was marveled at Stephen Hawking's wonderful empathy and capacity.
Hawking's name is a household term and even though I knew of him, his absence never hit me until now. I couldn't but shed a few tears after having known what a great human being we lost 3 years ago.

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.

Marathoned in one sitting

I'm just really glad I get to be alive at this particular time when I get to learn about the universe from Hawking and people like him. I love this stuff, and this book is written accessibly enough that even I don't have trouble understanding the material (which I would in a school setting). It's inspirational, calming, and existential crisis-worthy at the same time. Wonderful all around.

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.

Last helping hand

Over the years Stephen Hawkings books have accompanies me on travels or as in this case on long walks. The subject matters were invariably difficult and at times daunting. In this book its the same, but more so. The bigest questions possible and still more than worthwhile. It is impressive to hear how well thought through and clearly stated Prof. Hawkings manages to argue and develop his answers to the questions. The relative brevity in answering the questions, in about half an hour a question, suggests a long preparation in making the case simply, and it makes the book digestible also for an average reader. A realy enjoyable and worthwhile listening and with a sad note, this being the last helping hand Stephen Hawking could give. It is a big help.

Brief, honest and funny! #5stars

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

interesting and pragmatic view of life questiond

I liked how the author aboard some of the most deep questions in our existence with a very prag
matic and scientific view

Loved it. It's inspiring. Follows current beliefs.

Loved it. I thinks this is a must read for adolescents and anyone who aspires some common good sense.

Warm and hopefull

Great book by great man, full of optimism and hunger of knowledge. Will be missed by many. Thank you!

A great read (listen) if you wanna get what’s the deal with literally everything.

The book is a fascinating window into science through the words of the scientist himself. A lot of interesting starting points to read more about AI, space, genetics and literary everything!