Listen free for 30 days
-
A Brief History of Black Holes
- And Why Nearly Everything You Know About Them Is Wrong
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $18.91
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
You may also enjoy...
-
Space at the Speed of Light
- The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time
- Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Oxford University astrophysicist and popular YouTube personality Dr. Becky Smethurst presents everything you need to know about the universe in 10 accessible and engaging lessons. In Space at the Speed of Light: The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time, she guides you through fundamental questions, both answered and unanswered, posed by space scientists. Why does gravity matter? How do we know the big bang happened?
-
-
Short but great
- By Geoff on 2021-06-03
Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
-
Black Holes
- The Key to Understanding the Universe
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Jeff Forshaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By the star physicist and author of multiple #1 Sunday Times bestsellers, a major and definitive narrative work on black holes and how they can help us understand the universe.
-
-
Doesn't play well as an audio book
- By Yousef K on 2023-11-29
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
-
The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
- Space, Time, and Motion
- Written by: Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most trusted explainer of the most mind-boggling concepts pulls back the veil of mystery that has too long cloaked the most valuable building blocks of modern science. Sean Carroll, with his genius for making complex notions entertaining, presents in his uniquely lucid voice the fundamental ideas informing the modern physics of reality. In the tradition of the legendary Richard Feynman lectures presented sixty years ago, this book is an inspiring, dazzling introduction to a way of seeing that will resonate across cultural and generational boundaries for many years to come.
-
-
Fascinating book for anyone interested in math and science
- By Anonymous User on 2023-04-18
Written by: Sean Carroll
-
The Many Hidden Worlds of Quantum Mechanics
- Written by: Sean Carroll, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a field known for startling ideas, the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics may take the prize. It holds that parallel to our own world are a large number of other universes, almost identical to ours but with small variations. Copies of each of us inhabit a myriad of these worlds. But they are not us exactly; they share our past history, but they are different people who have unique futures. Although these realms are invisible and can’t communicate with each other, prominent physicists are convinced they must exist.
Written by: Sean Carroll, and others
-
The End of Everything
- (Astrophysically Speaking)
- Written by: Katie Mack
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Katie Mack
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We know the universe had a beginning. With the Big Bang, it expanded from a state of unimaginable density to an all-encompassing cosmic fireball to a simmering fluid of matter and energy, laying down the seeds for everything from black holes to one rocky planet orbiting a star near the edge of a spiral galaxy that happened to develop life as we know it. But what happens to the universe at the end of the story? And what does it mean for us now?
-
-
Decent Overview But Not Particularly Detailed
- By Shesophist on 2020-09-10
Written by: Katie Mack
-
How to Die in Space
- A Journey Through Dangerous Astrophysical Phenomena
- Written by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
- Narrated by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So you’ve fallen in love with space and now you want to see it for yourself, huh? You want to witness the birth of a star, or visit the black hole at the center of our galaxy? You want to know if there are aliens out there, or how to travel through a wormhole? You want the wonders of the universe revealed before your very eyes? Well stop, because all that will probably kill you.
-
-
Fascinating, comprehensive and well written
- By Vote Sizing Steve on 2021-11-22
Written by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
-
Space at the Speed of Light
- The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time
- Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Oxford University astrophysicist and popular YouTube personality Dr. Becky Smethurst presents everything you need to know about the universe in 10 accessible and engaging lessons. In Space at the Speed of Light: The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time, she guides you through fundamental questions, both answered and unanswered, posed by space scientists. Why does gravity matter? How do we know the big bang happened?
-
-
Short but great
- By Geoff on 2021-06-03
Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
-
Black Holes
- The Key to Understanding the Universe
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Jeff Forshaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By the star physicist and author of multiple #1 Sunday Times bestsellers, a major and definitive narrative work on black holes and how they can help us understand the universe.
-
-
Doesn't play well as an audio book
- By Yousef K on 2023-11-29
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
-
The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
- Space, Time, and Motion
- Written by: Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most trusted explainer of the most mind-boggling concepts pulls back the veil of mystery that has too long cloaked the most valuable building blocks of modern science. Sean Carroll, with his genius for making complex notions entertaining, presents in his uniquely lucid voice the fundamental ideas informing the modern physics of reality. In the tradition of the legendary Richard Feynman lectures presented sixty years ago, this book is an inspiring, dazzling introduction to a way of seeing that will resonate across cultural and generational boundaries for many years to come.
-
-
Fascinating book for anyone interested in math and science
- By Anonymous User on 2023-04-18
Written by: Sean Carroll
-
The Many Hidden Worlds of Quantum Mechanics
- Written by: Sean Carroll, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a field known for startling ideas, the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics may take the prize. It holds that parallel to our own world are a large number of other universes, almost identical to ours but with small variations. Copies of each of us inhabit a myriad of these worlds. But they are not us exactly; they share our past history, but they are different people who have unique futures. Although these realms are invisible and can’t communicate with each other, prominent physicists are convinced they must exist.
Written by: Sean Carroll, and others
-
The End of Everything
- (Astrophysically Speaking)
- Written by: Katie Mack
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Katie Mack
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We know the universe had a beginning. With the Big Bang, it expanded from a state of unimaginable density to an all-encompassing cosmic fireball to a simmering fluid of matter and energy, laying down the seeds for everything from black holes to one rocky planet orbiting a star near the edge of a spiral galaxy that happened to develop life as we know it. But what happens to the universe at the end of the story? And what does it mean for us now?
-
-
Decent Overview But Not Particularly Detailed
- By Shesophist on 2020-09-10
Written by: Katie Mack
-
How to Die in Space
- A Journey Through Dangerous Astrophysical Phenomena
- Written by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
- Narrated by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So you’ve fallen in love with space and now you want to see it for yourself, huh? You want to witness the birth of a star, or visit the black hole at the center of our galaxy? You want to know if there are aliens out there, or how to travel through a wormhole? You want the wonders of the universe revealed before your very eyes? Well stop, because all that will probably kill you.
-
-
Fascinating, comprehensive and well written
- By Vote Sizing Steve on 2021-11-22
Written by: Paul M. Sutter PhD
-
Existential Physics
- A Scientist's Guide to Life's Biggest Questions
- Written by: Sabine Hossenfelder
- Narrated by: Gina Daniels
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Not only can we not currently explain the origin of the universe, it is questionable we will ever be able to explain it. The notion that there are universes within particles, or that particles are conscious, is ascientific, as is the hypothesis that our universe is a computer simulation. On the other hand, the idea that the universe itself is conscious is difficult to rule out entirely.
-
-
Enjoyed it greatly
- By James on 2023-06-11
Written by: Sabine Hossenfelder
-
Something Deeply Hidden
- Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime
- Written by: Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and one of this world’s most celebrated writers on science, rewrites the history of 20th-century physics. Already hailed as a masterpiece, Something Deeply Hidden shows for the first time that facing up to the essential puzzle of quantum mechanics utterly transforms how we think about space and time. His reconciling of quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity changes, well, everything. Most physicists haven’t even recognized the uncomfortable truth: Physics has been in crisis since 1927.
-
-
In another world, this review is much better.
- By Brad Mills on 2019-11-26
Written by: Sean Carroll
-
Quanta and Fields
- The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
- Written by: Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sean Carroll is creating a profoundly new approach to sharing physics with a broad audience, one that goes beyond analogies to show how physicists really think. He cuts to the bare mathematical essence of our most profound theories, explaining every step in a uniquely accessible way. Quantum field theory is how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. Starting with the basics of quantum mechanics itself, Sean Carroll explains measurement and entanglement before explaining how the world is really made of fields.
Written by: Sean Carroll
-
Lost in Math
- How Beauty Leads Physics Astray
- Written by: Sabine Hossenfelder
- Narrated by: Laura Jennings
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades. The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: Observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria.
-
-
Good Public Wake-up Call
- By Shesophist on 2019-05-01
Written by: Sabine Hossenfelder
-
Starry Messenger
- Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment—a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science. After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life’s priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched.
-
-
There is really nothing deep about the book.
- By Client Kindle on 2023-11-16
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Our Mathematical Universe
- My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality
- Written by: Max Tegmark
- Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
- Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy, and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist.
-
-
A deeply engaging look at our universe(s).
- By Allan on 2018-07-01
Written by: Max Tegmark
-
Why Does E=MC2 and Why Should We Care
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Jeff Forshaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In one of the most exciting and accessible explanations of The Theory of Relativity in recent years, Professors Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw go on a journey to the frontier of 21st century science to consider the real meaning behind the iconic sequence of symbols that make up Einstein's most famous equation, exploring the principles of physics through everyday life.
-
-
Great information
- By Gordon Andersen on 2023-11-04
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
-
The Universe
- The Book of the BBC TV Series Presented by Professor Brian Cox
- Written by: Andrew Cohen, Professor Brian Cox - foreword
- Narrated by: Brian Cox, Professor Jot Davies
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With a foreword from Professor Brian Cox and access to all the latest NASA mission information, Andrew Cohen takes listeners on a voyage of discovery via the probes and telescopes exploring the outer reaches of our galaxy, revealing how it was formed and how it will inevitably be destroyed by the enigmatic black hole at its heart. And beyond our galaxy, the expanding universe, which holds clues to the biggest mystery of all - how did it all begin?
-
-
Needs A PDF With Space Photography 🤗
- By Jamie Charles on 2022-02-04
Written by: Andrew Cohen, and others
-
Cosmos
- A Personal Voyage
- Written by: Carl Sagan
- Narrated by: LeVar Burton, Seth MacFarlane, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cosmos is one of the bestselling science books of all time. In clear-eyed prose, Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space.
-
-
LeVar is like listening to a breathy James T. Kirk
- By Robert on 2018-04-04
Written by: Carl Sagan
-
Until the End of Time
- Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe
- Written by: Brian Greene
- Narrated by: Brian Greene
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Until the End of Time is Brian Greene's breathtaking new exploration of the cosmos and our quest to find meaning in the face of this vast expanse. Greene takes us on a journey from the big bang to the end of time, exploring how lasting structures formed, how life and mind emerged, and how we grapple with our existence through narrative, myth, religion, creative expression, science, the quest for truth, and a deep longing for the eternal.
-
-
Stunning and beautiful! Best physics book!
- By Luc on 2020-03-11
Written by: Brian Greene
-
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
- Written by: Stephen Hawking, Eddie Redmayne - foreword
- Narrated by: Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking, Ben Whishaw
- Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stephen 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.
-
-
Simply amazing
- By Andrea Whiting on 2018-11-12
Written by: Stephen Hawking, and others
-
The Quantum Universe
- (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does)
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Quantum Universe, Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw approach the world of quantum mechanics in the same way they did in Why Does E=mc2? and make fundamental scientific principles accessible - and fascinating - to everyone.The subatomic realm has a reputation for weirdness, spawning any number of profound misunderstandings, journeys into Eastern mysticism, and woolly pronouncements on the interconnectedness of all things. Cox and Forshaw's contention? There is no need for quantum mechanics to be viewed this way.
-
-
Failed attempt to explain the complex matter
- By Georgiy Zhukovskiy on 2023-07-04
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
Publisher's Summary
This audio edition is narrated with dazzling enthusiasm by the author, Dr Becky Smethurst.
Right now, you are orbiting a black hole.
The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Sun orbits the centre of the Milky Way: a supermassive black hole, the strangest and most misunderstood phenomenon in the galaxy.
In A Brief History of Black Holes, the award-winning University of Oxford researcher Dr Becky Smethurst charts five hundred years of scientific breakthroughs in astronomy and astrophysics. She takes us from the earliest observations of the universe and the collapse of massive stars, to the iconic first photographs of a black hole and her own published findings.
A cosmic tale of discovery, Becky explains why black holes aren’t really ‘black’, that you never ever want to be ‘spaghettified’, how black holes are more like sofa cushions than hoovers and why, beyond the event horizon, the future is a direction in space rather than in time. Told with humour and wisdom, this captivating book describes the secrets behind the most profound questions about our universe, all hidden inside black holes.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What the critics say
'A jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop-culture references' – BBC Sky At Night Magazine
More from the same
Narrator:
What listeners say about A Brief History of Black Holes
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David Henry McKay
- 2023-08-08
Such a good book. So informative.
I am a big fan of Dr Becky’s YouTube channel. And before that I was a big fan of her on Deep Sky Videos. I Really enjoyed this book. So full of gripping information and told with her trademark happy cheerfulness.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joey Mastrangelo
- 2022-10-05
Incredibly well thought out
Amazing book! Each chapter clearly built upon the knowledge learned in the previous chapters
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alex Biemans
- 2022-09-03
Well Articulated and Clever
Dr. Becky Smethurst obviously has a passion for sharing her passion with people, and does it well. A very interesting history of recent discoveries and intellect, and the time and efforts of many brilliant past minds.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam Borgman
- 2022-09-28
My first audiobook and it was brilliant!
Great read Dr. Becky! Found you on YouTube this year and just finished this book. You’ve made the whole thing really enjoyable with the way you read. It was just like listening to your videos. I’ve learned many things. Hopefully I’ll remember some of it. Great book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Olaf Dravnieks
- 2023-01-05
A most excellent listen
Great content explained very clearly, and in a very entertaining way. It was a very enjoyable and informative listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DS
- 2022-09-10
What an adventure!!
"Nought point nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nought nine metres"
- Dr. Becky
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matthew Gill
- 2023-01-18
Interesting Stuff
I enjoyed learning with this book. I found the information presented in a way that was easy to understand and not dry.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2022-12-02
Best history book
Coming from a scientist background in a different area myself I felt that this book is the first time someone makes gives me a good overview and puts all of these well known things into an order. Listening to this book I had many moments thinking „oh that is what this is based on“ and „oh that is why they got the Nobel price“. Great book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- PaulRK
- 2022-09-03
Fantastic book that made me feel out of this world
Dr. Becky really made me consider and understand the knowledge we all very easily take granted about the universe and our place in it. All of the different sciences from different branches that help make astronomy possible. As well as, technologies that not only revolutionise our knowledge of the universe but also created multitudes of important technologies here on Earth. From lifesaving medical advancements to what we use now in our everyday lives. The cameras in our smartphones.
Her performance is incredible, natural and calming. Like when mum used to give bedtime stories that help my imagination run wild. Except this real and have very real implications about our own reality.
Her narration feels personal, inspiring, and passionate. Which perfect to inspiring people to consider astronomy as their career path. Like how convince me to now pursue astronomy as my career.
Thank you Dr. Becky for being paragon of knowledge. Inspiring us with your stellar enthusiasm.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeff Allan
- 2022-09-23
Becky at her best
A delightful romp though modern cosmology following an easy-to-follow review of its history. Thanks, Becky.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!