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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

'A beautiful little book by a brilliant mind' DAILY TELEGRAPH

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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

By: Stephen Hawking
Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon, Lucy Hawking
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About this listen

 Read by Ben Whishaw and Garrick Hagon, with an afterword read by Lucy Hawking.

The world-famous cosmologist and #1 bestselling author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the universe's biggest questions in this brilliant posthumous work.

How did the universe begin? Will humanity survive on Earth? Is there intelligent life beyond our solar system? Could artificial intelligence ever outsmart us?

Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. But even as his theoretical work on black holes, imaginary time and multiple histories took his mind to the furthest reaches of space, Hawking always believed that science could also be used to fix the problems on our planet.

And now, as we face potentially catastrophic changes here on Earth - from climate change to dwindling natural resources to the threat of artificial super-intelligence - Stephen Hawking turns his attention to the most urgent issues for humankind.

Wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating, passionately argued, and infused with his characteristic humour, BRIEF ANSWERS TO THE BIG QUESTIONS, the final book from one of the greatest minds in history, is a personal view on the challenges we face as a human race, and where we, as a planet, are heading next.

A percentage of all royalties will go to charity.

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Stephen Hawking Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Solar System Black Hole Inspiring Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Suspenseful Mathematics Astronomy

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Critic reviews

A beautiful book from a brilliant mind
Almost everything in Brief Answers is effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute and - where it matters - witty
The best, most mind-bending sort of physics: black holes, time travel, the origins of the universe
It is that ultra-distinctive voice (modest, profound, sometimes very funny) that knits this book together
All stars
Most relevant
I won't pretend I understood the content in this Audiobook, I'm a truck driver not a scientist, but I did feel as though I got the gist of what was being presented; and Mr Hawkins' way of discussing the God v Science debate is particularly comforting and helped me to realign my own beliefs. Mr Hawkins' optomism is contagious, combined with his humour, you may find this book uplifting as well as educational. A throughly recommended goodread/listen.

Science for the masses

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I loved listening to this book. The foreward & afterward were especially touching.
Stephen is an amazing person, his brilliance in communicating complex ideas is one of a kind and what also shines through is his human side. His concern for the faith of planet earth, people and nature. His sense of humour is sweet, funny and to the point. I enjoy his jokes.... maybe he should be a sit down comedian.

Inspirational as it is fascinating

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This book has genuinely changed my life for the better. I went through an uncannily similar experience around the same time and duration of this. Whilst the context is different, the journey is virtually identical. I’m blown away with Poorna’s ability to recall and reflect. everyone needs to read this.

Truly incredible

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What a great man he was !! Beautiful read by Ben Whishaw. The dry sense of humour Professor Hawking had is conveyed perfectly in Ben’s tonality.
I actually had tears at the end when listening to the afterword by Lucy Hawking.
Proud that I was around in the lifetime of this great man.

Simply wonderful !

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Great, concise overview of familiar topics in theoretical physics, science and technology with his views on the recent advancements. His use of language is very concise, informative and easy to follow (apart from black holes chapter... holy moly). I'd like to hear more regarding his views on social sciences (cough politics cough). But definitely altered my beliefs about the future and our purpose as a species.

Masterpiece from the Mastermind

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