Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking, Eddie Redmayne - foreword

Narrated by: Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking, Ben Whishaw

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best seller

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 The Guardian and 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.

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)

©2018 Stephen Hawking (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

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

"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)

stephen hawking showed general relativity.

he made me understand how general relativity works and help me understand what god really means. im happy to have read this book and i know that if you read it you will be as content as me.

extremely interesting!

I am very glad that I ended up purchasing this audiobook. I found his work very interesting and the suggestions he made regarding possible futures of mankind peaked my interest. Stephen Hawkings was a brilliant man that left behind such a wonderful gift... his knowledge so beautifully expressed with a dash of humor. this book is worth the time.

5 star like earlier books

SH is rightfully resting between Newton and Darwin.... Hope we have others to carry the torch forward...

Makes You Think

Overall, this was a great book/listen. Hawking digs deep into very thought-provoking questions and explains his responses in a very understandable manner. I’m not sure I agree with him on all of his ideas, but he does make you think about the “why” you feel the way you do on certain subjects. I especially liked the last several chapters on Artificial Intelligence - It has led me to learn more about AI and the possible challenges it could include.

My only negative on the book is that several ideas are repeated in subsequent chapters (not intentionally), but only because it serves as part of the answer to the question/idea he is discussing. Not a deal-breaker by any stretch - almost didn’t include this as part of my review.

I also enjoyed and appreciated the personal dedication from his daughter to close the book.

More hits than misses

This is basically an anthology of collected lectures and writings. Since there's no goal of creating a singular cohesive book, they can get a bit repetitive. Some parts can also run a bit dry and technical. It's hard to blame Hawking too much. (It's hard to imagine a more difficult task than distilling some of the most counter-intuitive problems in physics for us laymen.) When there's a hit though, it's a massive one and it will get your brain going. The humor is often subtle and always dry and it's hard to tell if the narrator gets the joke or if he's just even more flat than Hawking himself.

In between each chapter is a small Q&A with Hawking. I was unprepared for how uplifting and comforting his familiar voice program would be. Each time put a smile on my face.

The most memorable part is probably his daughter's eulogy in the last 5 minutes of the book. It's a touching and fitting end to all that came before.

A Good Thinker

This book grabbed my attention immediately and held me captive right up to the end. Hawking is able to communicate such grand ideas in a way that even a common prole could grasp. Definitely give this book a listen!

One of the most brilliant minds in science

Stephen Hawking explains fundamental principles, as well as some history, of astrophysics & cosmology in a way that anyone with even a basic understanding of science can understand.

Changed everything for me

Changed my relationships, my thoughts, my actions, my Buddhist appreciation, my life. Dr. Hawking was evolved beyond the species known as "homo sapiens".

Simple and Awesome

There is no doubt that Stephen Hawking was a light in this day and age for all of us. This book is like a summary of all his ideas and discoveries which make a lot of sense even with our day to day lifes.

wow

a amazing story on an astronomical scale and would absolutely ready over and over and over.