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Brief Answers to the Big Questions

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

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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

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
My first audio book and I found it an enjoyable experience. I got through it a lot quicker than I would have a paper copy. Mr Hawkings is such an inspirational man and like those living in the lifetime of Einstein I feel privileged to have been alive while he was among us. Great read.

Holiday read

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This book was a charming insight into the world, ideas, work, and even personality of Stephen Hawking. It provides just enough information to the couch-scientist without being overwhelming. Just be mindful that it's more of an essay into the thoughts of the man himself on these subjects instead of a direct source of information on them.

A charming introduction to Stephen Hawking

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Many of the concepts made my brain hurt, and had to listen to some of the complicated parts several times! A brilliant read though, very interesting to hear about black holes and his views on the challenges humanity will face in the near future. Truly a great loss to the world, I got very emotional during the afterword by Lucy!

Fascinating!

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A very interesting book, at times far too advanced for my simple mind!

Beautifully narrated and a touching afterword.

I thoroughly enjoyed this

Very interesting

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Thourouly enjoyable and exquistly informative book. A great mind who's strength of character gives me hope humanity has the ability to endure against all the odds.

A great book about a good scientist.

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