Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking

Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The world-famous cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the biggest questions facing humankind.

“Hawking’s parting gift to humanity . . . a book every thinking person worried about humanity’s future should read.”—NPR

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Forbes • The Guardian • Wired

Stephen Hawking was the most renowned scientist since Einstein, known both for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology and for his mischievous sense of humor. He educated millions of readers about the origins of the universe and the nature of black holes, and inspired millions more by defying a terrifying early prognosis of ALS, which originally gave him only two years to live. In later life he could communicate only by using a few facial muscles, but he continued to advance his field and serve as a revered voice on social and humanitarian issues.

Hawking not only unraveled some of the universe’s greatest mysteries but also believed science plays a critical role in fixing problems here on Earth. Now, as we face immense challenges on our planet—including climate change, the threat of nuclear war, and the development of artificial intelligence—he turns his attention to the most urgent issues facing us.

Will humanity survive? Should we colonize space? Does God exist? ​​These are just a few of the questions Hawking addresses in this wide-ranging, passionately argued final book from one of the greatest minds in history.

Featuring a foreword by Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar playing Stephen Hawking, an introduction by Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, and an afterword from Hawking’s daughter, Lucy, Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a brilliant last message to the world.

Read by Ben Whishaw, with the foreword read by Garrick Hagon and the afterword read by Lucy Hawking


Praise for Brief Answers to the Big Questions

“[Hawking is] a symbol of the soaring power of the human mind.”—The Washington Post

“Hawking’s final message to readers . . . is a hopeful one.”—CNN

“Brisk, lucid peeks into the future of science and of humanity.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Hawking pulls no punches on subjects like machines taking over, the biggest threat to Earth, and the possibilities of intelligent life in space.”—Quartz

“Effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute and—where it matters—witty.”—The Guardian

“This beautiful little book is a fitting last twinkle from a new star in the firmament above.”—The Telegraph

Critic reviews

“It’s a book every thinking person worried about humanity’s future should read. . . . Hawking’s parting gift to humanity.”—NPR

“[Hawking is] a symbol of the soaring power of the human mind.”—The Washington Post

“Hawking’s final message to readers . . . is a hopeful one.”—CNN

“[Brief Answers to the Big Questions offers] brisk, lucid peeks into the future of science and of humanity.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Hawking pulls no punches on subjects like machines taking over, the biggest threat to Earth, and the possibilities of intelligent life in space.”—Quartz

“Brief Answers is effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute and—where it matters—witty.”—The Guardian

“This beautiful little book is a fitting last twinkle from a new star in the firmament above.”—The Telegraph

What a remarkable and insightful man

Three short hours of thoughts I find myself replaying over and over again. Stephen Harkins life was probably the most nobel in the history of science. We may never see anyone like him again.

Incredible mind

Some high level stuff organized in simpler terms. Fascinating and compelling. I’m glad I lost red to it instead of reading.

The conclusion of his works

This book is my first for Stephen Hawking
and although it is a small book it was not an easy listen, specially if the reader is not very familiar with the concepts of physics astronomy but nonetheless, i enjoyed every bit of it and it was full of new informations

I liked how between each chapter there was a snippet of an actual interview with Stephen, that made it very personal and relatable

It is truly inspiring to listen to some of his personal stories and his views on life and the future of humanity, it makes one think about the bigger picture and how we as a species have evolved and how can we benefit of the collective human knowledge of our time to face the challenges of tomorrow

I was almost brought to tears by the special dedication by his daughter at the end of the book, truly remarkable man and such a loss for humanity.

The narrator speaks very clearly and calmly and is perfect for such a book

Absolutely Fantastic

In short, this was an an intriguing ride through various topics of science that touched on what dangers humans can do to themselves as well as the incredible opportunities we could have if we focused more on the well-being of the world as a whole. The afterward was such a warm and powerful message by his daughter. I’m thankful the world also is sprinkled with wonderful people that encourage others to dig deep and make the most out of the potential they have to leave the world better than when they arrived.

One of the most enjoyable short books ever bought

Whether you are an expert or know nothing, you will not regret this short purchase. We lost a great man. Listen to his final thoughts.