Science news and science current events, research and discoveries.
Top science news articles and science current events stories from the past week.
Science Resources
Science RSS News Feeds
Earth, Life and Space Science RSS News Feeds.
|
 |
 |
 |
| View Larger Image | Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays
by Stephen W. Hawking
| | List Price: | $18.00 | | Price: | $13.50 | | You Save: | $4.50 (25%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 233909 | | Studio: | Bantam | | | Binding: | Paperback | | Number Of Pages: | 192 | | Publication Date: | September 01, 1994 | | Publisher: | Bantam |
| |
EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Readers worldwide have come to know the work of Stephen Hawking through his phenomenal million-copy hardcover best-seller A Brief History of Time. Bantam is proud to present the paperback edition of Dr. Hawking's first new book since that event, a collection of fascinating and illuminating essays, and a remarkable interview broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day, 1992. These fourteen pieces reveal Hawking variously as the scientist, the man, the concerned world citizen, and-always-the rigorous and imaginative thinker. Hawking's wit, directness of style, and absence of pomp characterize all of them, whether he is remembering his first experience at nursery school; calling for adequate education in science that will enable the public to play its part in making informed decisions on matters such as nuclear disarmament; exploring the origins of the future of the universe; or reflecting on the history of A Brief History of Time. Black Holes and Baby Universes is an important work from one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 42 reviews)
|
Library Journal has it just right 
BHaBU is a very uneven collection of essays. To LJ's criticisms I would add one more -- which the author himself notes at the outset: there is an enormous amount of repetition in this already short book. To be sure, the science writing in BHaBU is, expectedly, quite interesting (hence, 3 stars). But many essays in BHaBU are little more than quasi-verbatim rehashings of other essays in the book. Overall, BHaBU feels more like a profit-seeking venture than the deliberate product of a conscientious author. And strong agreement with LJ: the last 'essay' in BHaBU -- the transcript of a radio interview -- is pure filler. Very annoying, I thought.
July 23, 2008 | |
An easy read from the modern Einstein 
This is a great book for anyone remotely interested in cosmology. This includes the origin of the universe, black holes, or even the concepts of fate and free will. Hawking's essays are written to reach wide audiences, so this book does not require an engineering or other relevant background.
Hawking begins with a brief background on his life, and although brief and concise, it is helpful to get a general understanding of his earlier life at Oxford and Cambridge. It also talks about the effects that ALS had on him in the early and later stages.
The story then unfolds with a series of essays that he has written or given to different audiences, spanning the 80s and early 90s. He discusses in some depth the famous theories of Einstein in the early 20th century. The special theory of relativity in 1905, and the general theory of relativity in 1915, had significant impacts on the way scientists view the world and the universe. General relativity essentially describes the interactions of matter and energy on a large scale. However, small atoms and particles were found to behave much differently. The motion of these particles was defined by quantum mechanics, developed some fifteen years later.
Hawking gives us a stronger understanding of these theories, and discusses the problem facing current scientists in trying to develop a single theory that describes the universe; one that unites quantum mechanics with gravity. He talks about currently theories, including string theory, and the problems those propose.
We also learn much about black holes, the primary focus of Hawking's research. He discusses the big discovery he made in 1974 that black holes are not entirely black, but radiate tiny particles at a constant rate. He delves deep into their mistery, discussing what might happen if one were to fall into a black hole.
Other essays talk about the origin and future of the universe. The problem with current physics is that Einstein's theory predict a singulariy, or "big bang", at the origin of the universe. However, current physical laws break down and fail to describe what existed or happened prior to the big bang. They lead to such profound and controversial questions that include fate and religion.
Overall, the book is a fascinating step into the mind of one of the greatest and interesting physicists alive today. Many consider Hawking to be the modern-day Einstein; take a stroll through these essays, into the questions, observations, and conclusions this man has made, and you may just find yourself in agreement.
June 04, 2008 | |
A timely history of briefs 
More from the mind that gave us A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME, this is a collection that helps fill in a picture of the man and the philosophic framework that produced a lofty best-seller. Oh, and by the way, this work is also a semi-autobiography of (perhaps) the pre-eminent physicist of the 20th Century (Time -what else?- will tell. His reputation may eventually eclipse Einstein's, or absorb it like a black hole). Is the discovery of a complete theory of everything at hand? Is there a boundary to thought? Are we accidental tourists in an accidental universe? What recordings do you imagine Hawking would want to be toting if shipwrecked on a desert island? This collection includes the best short description of the current state of scientific knowledge about fundamental particles and forces that I have seen. Deep. And wide.
November 19, 2007 | |
A great scientist explains his work and his life
This book consists in two distinct parts. In one Hawking talks about his life, and in the other about his major areas of interest in his researches. Both parts of the work are written in clear and understandable language, though I admit that when he talks about black holes, singularities, and the real heart of his work my own lack of understanding and knowledge prevents me from feeling I really 'get it'. Hawking's work in these areas is considered foundational and of great importance. I cannot possibly evaluate it.
As for the second simpler section on his life there is the one overwhelming fact. It was only after he contracted AMS that he decided to get down to work, and become a serious researcher. His meeting Jane Wilde was the key here for this gave him hope for his future. She became his wife and the mother of his three children. And though they later divorced he attributes her with having given the hope and belief he needed at that critical time.
Despite his infirmity Hawking went on to make major scientific discoveries. He at one point lost his power his speech and learned to communicate through a special synthesizer. He is a widely appreciated figure whose 'Brief History of Time' won a worldwide readership. He has continued to speak out on issues such as global warming, the nuclear - war danger, the necessity for human population of space.
The book is naturally reticent about many questions regarding Hawking's life which no doubt future biographers will more deeply explore.
One more thought about the 'scientific work'. It seems to me and this is a layman's opinion that a lot of his work is done in areas and ways which are speculative and not as yet verifiable by experimental test. It thus seems to me that comparisons sometimes made of his work with that of Newton and Einstein are probably premature.
April 01, 2007 | |
Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays
Very very interesting. Made my husband very happy+
February 06, 2007 | |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
| |
|
|
|
|
