Listen free for 30 days
-
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
- Narrated by: Ben Whishaw, Garrick Hagon - foreword, Lucy Hawking - afterword
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science & Engineering, Science
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £21.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
A Brief History of Time
- From Big Bang to Black Holes
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite, or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by one of the world's greatest thinkers. It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos, from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the big bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory.
-
-
Interesting and intelligible
- By Anthony on 21-03-17
-
The Quantum Universe
- (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does)
- 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.
-
-
Hopeless as an audiobook
- By Purplebirman on 23-05-21
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hawking takes us on a fascinating journey through the telescopic lens of modern physics to gain a new glimpse of the universe--the nature of black holes, the space-time continuum, and new information about the origin of the universe. He uses this scientific basis to come up with a "unified theory of everything" that the author claims will be "the ultimate triumph of human reason."
-
-
Brilliant!
- By Adrian on 14-04-13
-
Algorithms to Live By
- The Computer Science of Human Decisions
- By: Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths
- Narrated by: Brian Christian
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one's inbox to understanding the workings of human memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.
-
-
Simply delightful
- By AR Mijinyawa on 08-12-18
-
Human Universe
- By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Human life is a staggeringly strange thing. On the surface of a ball of rock falling around a nuclear fireball in the blackness of a vacuum, the laws of nature conspired to create a naked ape that can look up at the stars and wonder where it came from. What is a human being? Objectively, nothing of consequence. Particles of dust in an infinite arena, present for an instant in eternity.
-
-
Inspiring stuff
- By Mrspatriciacherry on 09-05-17
-
The Grand Design
- By: Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this groundbreaking new work, Professor Hawking and renowned science writer Leonard Mlodinow have drawn on 40 years of Hawking's own research and a recent series of extraordinary astronomical observations and theoretical breakthroughs to reveal an original and controversial theory.
-
-
Fantastic, thought provoking book
- By Frank on 04-10-10
-
A Brief History of Time
- From Big Bang to Black Holes
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite, or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by one of the world's greatest thinkers. It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos, from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the big bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory.
-
-
Interesting and intelligible
- By Anthony on 21-03-17
-
The Quantum Universe
- (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does)
- 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.
-
-
Hopeless as an audiobook
- By Purplebirman on 23-05-21
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hawking takes us on a fascinating journey through the telescopic lens of modern physics to gain a new glimpse of the universe--the nature of black holes, the space-time continuum, and new information about the origin of the universe. He uses this scientific basis to come up with a "unified theory of everything" that the author claims will be "the ultimate triumph of human reason."
-
-
Brilliant!
- By Adrian on 14-04-13
-
Algorithms to Live By
- The Computer Science of Human Decisions
- By: Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths
- Narrated by: Brian Christian
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one's inbox to understanding the workings of human memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.
-
-
Simply delightful
- By AR Mijinyawa on 08-12-18
-
Human Universe
- By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Human life is a staggeringly strange thing. On the surface of a ball of rock falling around a nuclear fireball in the blackness of a vacuum, the laws of nature conspired to create a naked ape that can look up at the stars and wonder where it came from. What is a human being? Objectively, nothing of consequence. Particles of dust in an infinite arena, present for an instant in eternity.
-
-
Inspiring stuff
- By Mrspatriciacherry on 09-05-17
-
The Grand Design
- By: Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this groundbreaking new work, Professor Hawking and renowned science writer Leonard Mlodinow have drawn on 40 years of Hawking's own research and a recent series of extraordinary astronomical observations and theoretical breakthroughs to reveal an original and controversial theory.
-
-
Fantastic, thought provoking book
- By Frank on 04-10-10
-
A Life on Our Planet
- My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future
- By: David Attenborough
- Narrated by: David Attenborough
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline.
-
-
The most important book of our time.
- By ian on 29-11-20
-
A History of the World
- By: Andrew Marr
- Narrated by: Andrew Marr, David Timson
- Length: 26 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the earliest civilizations to the 21st century: a global journey through human history, published alongside a landmark BBC One television series. Our understanding of world history is changing, as new discoveries are made on all the continents and old prejudices are being challenged. In this truly global journey, Andrew Marr revisits some of the traditional epic stories, from classical Greece and Rome to the rise of Napoleon, but surrounds them with less familiar material, from Peru to the Ukraine, China to the Caribbean.
-
-
Awsome, educational and epic work
- By Adisha on 30-10-12
-
Sapiens
- By: Yuval Noah Harari
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it. Us. We are the most advanced and most destructive animals ever to have lived. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us sapiens? In this bold and provocative audiobook, Yuval Noah Harari explores who we are, how we got here, and where we're going.
-
-
Simplistic nonsense
- By RTx on 14-07-19
-
The Universe in a Nutshell
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking to uncover the holy grail of science, the elusive Theory of Everything that lies at the heart of the cosmos, Professor Stephen Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical physics. In a realm where truth is often stranger than fiction, he explains in layman's terms the principles that control our universe.
-
-
More difficult to follow than A Brief History of Time
- By Razorinho on 04-04-16
-
Quirkology
- The Curious Science of Everyday Lives
- By: Richard Wiseman
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over 20 years, psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman has examined the quirky science of everyday life. In Quirkology, he navigates the backwaters of human behavior, discovering the telltale signs that give away a liar, the secret science behind speed dating and personal ads, and what a person's sense of humour reveals about the innermost workings of their mind - all along paying tribute to others who have carried out similarly weird and wonderful work.
-
-
Fascinating
- By Laura Y. on 10-05-16
-
Prisoners of Geography
- Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics
- By: Tim Marshall
- Narrated by: Ric Jerom
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you've ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower or why China's power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here. In 10 chapters, using essays and occasionally the personal experiences of the widely travelled author, Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer an essential insight into one of the major factors that determines world history.
-
-
An interesting and thought-provoking approach
- By Kirstine on 12-02-18
-
The Universe
- The Book of the BBC TV Series Presented by Professor Brian Cox
- By: Andrew Cohen, Professor Brian Cox - foreword
- Narrated by: Brian Cox, 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?
-
-
A real effort to listen to.
- By MR DAVID PETER HARTLEY on 20-10-21
-
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There's no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.
-
-
Fascinating, if a little short
- By ian on 23-06-17
-
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
- By: Yuval Noah Harari
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sapiens showed us where we came from. Homo Deus looked to the future. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century explores the present. How can we protect ourselves from nuclear war, ecological cataclysms and technological disruptions? What can we do about the epidemic of fake news or the threat of terrorism? What should we teach our children? Yuval Noah Harari takes us on a thrilling journey through today’s most urgent issues.
-
-
Grow your mind
- By Paul Murphy on 07-09-18
-
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
- By: Dr Julie Smith
- Narrated by: Dr Julie Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drawing on years of experience as a clinical psychologist, online sensation Dr Julie Smith shares all the skills you need to get through life's ups and downs. Filled with secrets from a therapist's toolkit, this is a must-have handbook for optimising your mental health. Dr Julie's simple but expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient no matter what life throws your way.
-
-
PDF
- By Amazon Customer on 13-01-22
-
A Promised Land
- By: Barack Obama
- Narrated by: Barack Obama
- Length: 29 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency - a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
-
-
Dropping a classic
- By jesse on 17-11-20
-
Why Does E=MC2 and Why Should We Care
- 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.
-
-
Easier than I thought
- By Mr. S. Hyams on 30-05-11
Summary
Read by Ben Whishaw and Garrick Hagon, with an afterword read by Lucy Hawking.
The world-famous cosmologist and number one best-selling 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 superintelligence - 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.
More from the same
What listeners say about Brief Answers to the Big Questions
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Paul KENYON
- 31-01-19
Science for the masses
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.
85 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Heisenberg
- 16-10-18
Look up to the stars, not down at your feet.
Stephen Hawking was such a wonderful populariser of physics and cosmology, with a knack for explaining the most complicated science in such a way that even a layman like myself could begin to understand it. He was also a voice of reason in a world that often seems lacking in that quality.
This book covers a variety of questions Hawking has been asked, or addressed over the years - is there a God? What came before the big bang? Might AI develop a will of its own and become a threat to mankind? How did life begin? His answers are at once both challenging and informative. At just under five hours this is quite brief, but also fantastically enjoyable - I listened to the whole thing in a single day. I especially enjoyed the brief sections in Professor Hawking's own familiar, assisted, voice. Ben Whishaw was also excellent reading the main text.
"Remember to look up at the stars not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder what makes the universe exist. Be curious". - Stephen Hawking (1942 - 2018)
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrew
- 27-10-18
Awesome
Awesome and inspiring! Loved listening to the opinions and thoughts of a great mind. A must listen!
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrew Misselbrook
- 16-10-18
One to read before you die
An incredible book by an incredible man, Stephen Hawking goes out with an incredible read. Complex issues told in an easy way. An amazing look into the forecast for the future.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- EmilieWAN
- 20-10-18
A beautiful book written by one most beautiful mind
I never read a book of Stephen Hawking before as I thought that his theories might be quite difficult to understand by a person without scientific background. Surprisingly he made everything clear, interesting and touching to read.
It’s a book about physics, and about life; Stephen Hawking’s intelligent, optimistic, brave life, and what he expected human beings would enjoy.
Beautifully read by Ben Whishaw with a clean and tender voice.
Worth listening for everyone, interested or not in Theoretical Physics. The book will make one feel that life is a bonus.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- patrick
- 09-06-19
Holiday read
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.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Luke H.
- 24-06-19
Missed opportunity, but great content.
The negatives first:
Content—there is a fair degree of repetition both of concepts discussed in other books by Hawking and within this book itself. It’s probably unavoidable for an understanding of where Professor Hawking was taking us but the internal repetitions are an editing issue. Not sufficient to detract from the overall whole.
Performances—to each their own, but the narrator’s voice and diction was irritating. He sounds, to my ear, nervous or unsure of what he is saying. Contrast that with Michael York’s excellent narration on ‘The Theory of Everything’. But there are tantalising sections where Professor Hawking’s voice is heard (the digitised voice he so confidently owned). I would far rather have listened to the whole book hearing his words in his voice. A missed opportunity...
The positives:
A fascinating insight into the wide ranging thoughts of one of the greatest minds of human history. Hawking is both self-deprecating in his humour and brilliant in his ability to take the great complexities of modern physics and make them digestible. His opinion on our current problems and the future rather precarious path laid before us as a species is both insightful and wise. His words of caution to be ignored at our peril.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John HB
- 19-03-19
inspiring, thought provoking, touching
I did a Physics degree in the 1980s and whilst I do not pretend to be anywhere near to this man's intellect, I have followed his career via television programs like Horizon.
The book collects together many of his thoughts without pomposity and with his wry humour. The contributors add a lot and its a really easy listen despite dealing with subject matter which is of the highest importance to us all on this little planet of ours.
The endpiece by Lucy is particularly emotional. I never met her father, but I wish I had.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Simon
- 03-05-19
Genius and legendary inspiring scientist.
Who doesn't love and respect Dr Stephen Hawking? ”When he spoke, people listened”!
He is a few people who makes me have doubts about the existence of God, for him to be suffering the crudity of Motorneurons Disorder!! But then, God might just exist, otherwise superhuman being like him must come from somewhere in heaven.
His achievement in cosmology is his immortality!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J. Handley
- 01-01-19
Wonderful. Profound. Human
Yes, Stephen Hawking certainly made a contribution and brings perspective to our human challenges. Wonderful, thought provoking and generous
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Kunde
- 08-05-19
Loved it. It's inspiring. Follows current beliefs.
Loved it. I thinks this is a must read for adolescents and anyone who aspires some common good sense.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Son of Thor's whimper
- 29-03-19
Last helping hand
Over the years Stephen Hawkings books have accompanies me on travels or as in this case on long walks. The subject matters were invariably difficult and at times daunting. In this book its the same, but more so. The bigest questions possible and still more than worthwhile. It is impressive to hear how well thought through and clearly stated Prof. Hawkings manages to argue and develop his answers to the questions. The relative brevity in answering the questions, in about half an hour a question, suggests a long preparation in making the case simply, and it makes the book digestible also for an average reader. A realy enjoyable and worthwhile listening and with a sad note, this being the last helping hand Stephen Hawking could give. It is a big help.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Felipe Gordillo Corvalán
- 07-12-18
interesting but not deep enough
it goes through many ideas without to deep in any... that felt odd, I wish it was longer...
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- ali
- 15-04-21
A great read (listen) if you wanna get what’s the deal with literally everything.
The book is a fascinating window into science through the words of the scientist himself. A lot of interesting starting points to read more about AI, space, genetics and literary everything!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Felix Cavazos
- 10-03-21
Wonderful
Perfect pick as my first Hawking's book.
Great performance and very understandable for a young adult.
I don't have a long attention span so at times I had to rewing a minute to grasp the concept but I enjoyed 100% all of the book.
By the end I was marveled at Stephen Hawking's wonderful empathy and capacity.
Hawking's name is a household term and even though I knew of him, his absence never hit me until now. I couldn't but shed a few tears after having known what a great human being we lost 3 years ago.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Daniele
- 31-07-20
Good book covering a lot of topics
Many theories presented are just repetitions on things already written by SH in previous books. Good audible
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anna Vasyuk
- 25-05-20
Marathoned in one sitting
I'm just really glad I get to be alive at this particular time when I get to learn about the universe from Hawking and people like him. I love this stuff, and this book is written accessibly enough that even I don't have trouble understanding the material (which I would in a school setting). It's inspirational, calming, and existential crisis-worthy at the same time. Wonderful all around.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Aleksandra
- 23-05-20
An amazing book. Worth every minute of listening
It takes genius to explain a complicated subject in such a simple way.
I didn't even know it will spark so much interest in me in cosmology and our universe. Totally recommend 👌
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 23-02-20
Good teaser but not enough depth for me
It''s a nicely written book but really just a teaser. Great if this is the first book about scientific topics you are reading but otherwise it doesn't provide enough meet on the bone.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- John Zoetebier
- 28-11-19
Very interesting and sometimes emotional book
Loved to hear the opinions of one of the brightest minds of our times. The historical context of some theories is interesting as well.