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Brief Answers to the Big Questions cover art

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Written by: Stephen Hawking, Eddie Redmayne - foreword
Narrated by: Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking, Ben Whishaw
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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

What the critics say

"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)

What listeners say about Brief Answers to the Big Questions

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Outstanding man, outstanding story.

I've never listened to so much wisdom and knowledge in my life. I'm feeling fascinated, inspired, frightened, and encouraged. Every human should listen to this... hopefully much earlier in life than myself. I'm 35. Much to do!!

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Pertinent, readable despite immense complexity

Pertinent, easy to follow despite immense complexity, and well read. In Stephen Hawking's final book he imparts wisdom, knowledge, and insights from a lifetime's work in the sciences to help answer some of the most pertinent questions on life and the challenges facing the human species. If you are interested in these questions, then this book is a valuable and enjoyable read.

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Book

Great work by a great mind. I disagree with his understanding of religion and it’s articulation in the book as the logical conclusion. But Mr. Hawking gave us so much knowledge that I will be indebted to his services to humanity.

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Stephen Hawking

what an extremely interesting book and an intense mind boggle. I loved it thank you

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This book is fantastic.

I really enjoyed Stephen's insight on the big questions and also the introduction by Kip Thorne and the conclusion by Lucy Hawkins!

It was a truly remarkable book!

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Daunting

I am glad I read it. However much of what Hawking said was way over my head... I heard and understood individual words but the logical arguments in the sentences and paragraphs were often beyond my understanding.

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  • 2021-05-05

Good answers to excellent questions

Easy to inderstand, a must read (listen) for every concerned citizen. No science background required.

The squeaky female voice (of Lucy Hawking?) was distracting, I wish she didn't speak here!

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brilliant man

everyone should read to get a glimpse of these science topics. he is really good at putting it in basic terms for non science experts to understand. can be quite detailed but ends with inspiring thoughts and scary predictions

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The perfect audio book doesn't exi..

This is the perfect audio book.
Eloquently written chapters followed by the clever answers spoken my Hawking himself, this book is a masterpiece. Listening to it, I couldn't take my headphones out. The narrator was captivating, and the afterword at the end had me nearly in tears. I have recommended it to everyone that I've spoken to since. Breathtaking.

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Excellent Book

Like this title much more than "A Brief History of Time". Definitely on my list od books to listen to again.

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