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creativerunnings's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
brynalexa's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
This book was very interesting and very helpful in understanding the state of physics and cosmology today as well as the path Hawking took scientifically. That being said, it committed almost every sin most science books are guilty of. It was extremely committed to the ideas of white men only and ignored the abhorrent behavior and views of many of the scientists it highlighted. It ended with a vague call to remain human in scientific and philosophical endeavors in order to create a reality we would want to visit which is poetic but ironic given the rest of the book. The author could have also done just a fraction of research on disability theory… yikes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism and Terminal illness
vasilisniaouris's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.0
I like this book, and what it attempts to achieve. However, I am giving 3 stars because, for a book that is supposed to be directed for the general audience, it is remarkably dense and difficult to understand. As a physicist, I had the privilege to already understand most base concepts the author was referring to. However, I did get lost in the sea of M-theory and top-down cosmology, which I am not familiar with. Maybe it was because I was listening to the book while commuting and my attention was ~<80% of what it would have been if I was reading in a quiet room.
Nevertheless, I have enjoyed both the historical insights and review of basic concepts of modern physics the author offers, and I am glad there is a book out there that attempts to convey such complex concepts in simpler-than-scientific language. Even if someone won't understand everything, I believe it is worth a read. Lastly, I appreciated the message the author attempts to convey at the end of the book, on the role of science in today and future's societies.
Nevertheless, I have enjoyed both the historical insights and review of basic concepts of modern physics the author offers, and I am glad there is a book out there that attempts to convey such complex concepts in simpler-than-scientific language. Even if someone won't understand everything, I believe it is worth a read. Lastly, I appreciated the message the author attempts to convey at the end of the book, on the role of science in today and future's societies.
literary_ya's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced