Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking, Eddie Redmayne - foreword

Narrated by: Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking, Ben Whishaw

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)

awesome, great perspective about how small we are

well narrated, fantastic perspective on how small we are but yet we hold the keys to our own future - humanity's future that is!. Clear and concise (brief) answers to science's biggest questions.

Amazing

loved it. I will be getting the hardcover edition. great performance by the narrator. awesome

Intense

Great book, superbly enlightening. Highly urge anyone to read this for our future. thanks Stephen

Great Read.

This was my first book of Hawkings and obviously will not be the last one that i am going to read

Great Book form a Great Man

This is a great book form our generations greatest Scientific Educators, Stephen Hawking. Starting with Black holes, he tackled some of the burning questions in science, how it will impact us and how we have to solve it or perish. Maybe... Just Maybe... if enough of us listen... Just like the lorax said "UNLESS"...

#Mindbending. #Provocative. #Inspiring. #Witty. #Witty. #tagsgiving. #sweepstakes

Well done final words of Hawking

It is mostly a summaries of hawking's life work. he include his thoughts on several current issues in his final year. hawking didn't let his disability stop him, and actually turned it to his advantage in tackling issues about the universe and the world most people don't have time to do. Narrator did a great job. One of the best audio books so far.

Great book , good narration

I’m definitely gonna re-listen to that in the future when I have more time to take notes, learn better , realize what I missed and to determine the subjects I wanna read more books about depending on this beautiful briefing of many important life matters.
Hawking is just great at showing (at least to me) how science and daily life intermingle. I also loved the knowing more about pur universe in a somewhat simple way..
I loved this book.
R.

Good from beginning to end

A bit like the universe, this book has a beginning and an end with some really great things in it. Some difficult stuff and moments of joy even tests and black holes.
It also has an end, worth reaching even if it gets tough.
Thank you

Absolutely profound

Every thinking person should read this remarkable book! If for no other reason just to marvel at the beautiful mind as he expounds on the most important ideas currently challenging the human species.

Great

I loved it. Very informative high level science but could be too much for some.