Earlier this week, the world woke up to the sad news that the famed physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking had passed away. Considered by many to be one of the finest minds of his generation, Hawking contributed greatly to our understanding of the universe, despite battling a rare motor neurone disease which gradually paralysed him over the years. The world may have lost a great man, but Hawking will be remembered through his work and his numerous books. If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye, then here are five essential books that all Hawking admirers should read.
A Brief History of Time
First published in 1988, A Brief History of Time is arguably Stephen’s most well-known book and is a must read for anyone interested in science and the universe. Hawking specifically wrote the book for non-specialist readers and no prior knowledge of physics is required. The book examines the origins, structure, development, and eventual fate of our universe, and readers are also introduced to concepts regarding space and time, building blocks of the universe (such as quarks), and examines subjects such as black holes and the Big Bang. Readers will also be guided through the two major schools of thought which scientists use to make sense of the universe; general relativity and quantum mechanics. The book was a massive hit and has sold over 10 million copies. It was on the London Times bestseller list for over five years and has been translated into over 35 different languages.
The Universe in a Nutshell
In The Universe in a Nutshell, Stephen Hawking guides readers through theoretical physics by explaining a number of subjects from Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem to time travel, the uncertainty theory, and the unified field theory (otherwise known as the theory of absolutely everything). Once again, the book doesn’t demand readers have any prior knowledge going in, and Hawking explains and examines these subjects in an approachable manner that makes the book accessible to all. Published in 2002, the book won the Aventis Prizes for Science Books and is considered a sequel to A Brief History of Time as it updates readers on the advancements that have occurred in science since the original book’s publication.
The Grand Design
Written in collaboration with theoretical physicist Leonard Mlodinow, The Grand Design explores everything we currently know about our universe. How and when did the universe begin? Does the design of the universe point to a great power, or is it a natural occurrence? The book tackles all these questions and more and also guides casual readers through important ideas such as Model dependent realism, the multiverse, the top-down theory of cosmology, and the unified M-theory. Once again, the book was a huge hit and became the number two bestseller on Amazon within hours of its publication. It was also top of the New York Times bestseller list for non-fiction and received strong reactions from many notable critics, including Richard Dawkins.
My Brief History
Stephen Hawking may have given us many fascinating ideas to ponder, but what about the man himself? Given how famous the name Hawking is, you might be surprised to learn that he was born into a rather unassuming family and grew up in Oxford, London. Hawking also received mediocre grades during his early years at school, was on the Oxford rowing team as a coxswain, and was married twice. As Hawking’s fame grew, so did the public interest in his personal life. Though he never showed much of an interest in discussing his own life, he did publish this memoir in 2013. The book follows Hawking from his childhood in post-war London to his years at Oxford, then to the present day as a famed scientist. Given the fact Hawking seems quite uninterested in playing the role of a celebrity, the memoir is more of a general overview of his life, however it does provide readers with an insight into the burden his illness caused on his marriages and the humble beginnings of a scientist now considered worthy of the likes of Einstein and Tesla.
George’s Secret Key to the Universe
Given that Hawking spent his life studying theories and ideas that most adults struggling to keep up with, it might surprise you to learn that he also published a number of children’s books with his daughter Lucy Hawking. The two published five books together and the first was published in 2007 and is aimed at readers aged nine onwards. The first book follows a group of young children and their supercomputer Cosmos as they explore the universe together. The books are designed to educate children about the universe and to introduce them to scientific ideas about space and time. The books include plenty of pictures and ‘fact files’ and are certainly a great way for youngsters to take their first steps into the realms of science. Certainly one to pick up if you have a child who’s fascinated by the stars.
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