mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity. I have read some of Hawking's work including [b:A Brief History of Time|3869|A Brief History of Time|Stephen Hawking|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333578746l/3869._SX50_.jpg|2192250]. As non fiction they are not particularly easy to understand. This book mixes parts of his work with his personal life and information on a book he was writing with Leonard Mlodinow.
The depth of the friendship between these two men is obvious. The picture the author paints is definitely a warts and all view of Stephen Hawking. It would not necessarily enamour you to Hawking who comes across in some ways as selfish - perhaps this is what allowed him to survive.
The physical concepts described are certainly much more understandable in this book but I think if you asked me in a month I would have retained very little. Some of the personal accounts of dining and working with Stephen seemed repetitive.
I enjoyed the book but it isn't in my top ten
The depth of the friendship between these two men is obvious. The picture the author paints is definitely a warts and all view of Stephen Hawking. It would not necessarily enamour you to Hawking who comes across in some ways as selfish - perhaps this is what allowed him to survive.
The physical concepts described are certainly much more understandable in this book but I think if you asked me in a month I would have retained very little. Some of the personal accounts of dining and working with Stephen seemed repetitive.
I enjoyed the book but it isn't in my top ten
mostlywright's review against another edition
2.0
This is a hard book to rate. It kept me engaged through to the end, and I loved the physics related material as well as the friendship. But there were some details and speculations that were too intimate and just, cringe worthy.
thebreakfastbookclub's review
4.0
I have always been fascinated by physics and the universe however most texts are wildly out of reach due to the language over complicating things for the normal person. This book manages to combine both the physics and a look into Stephen Hawkins life not only as a physicist but also as a friend. It manages to capture his sense of humour and gives an understanding to the struggles he faced.
I personal.y really enjoyed this and found it super interesting. There were times when I just wanted to read on and understand more and consume more. Don’t get me wrong it is not a page turner but it will keep you hooked!
I would recommend this to anyone who has even a small interest in science or the life of Stephen Hawkins and that is why I’ve given it 4 stars.
I personal.y really enjoyed this and found it super interesting. There were times when I just wanted to read on and understand more and consume more. Don’t get me wrong it is not a page turner but it will keep you hooked!
I would recommend this to anyone who has even a small interest in science or the life of Stephen Hawkins and that is why I’ve given it 4 stars.
yliasalt's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
anmariefweeks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
tamaraepps's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
smack's review against another edition
3.0
I really don't know how to feel about this book! In some ways I want to give the book five stars and in other ways I want to give it a one star! I don't read a lot of memoirs but I do enjoy science books, especially ones that tell the story of scientists overcoming adversity to solve important questions about the world (e.g. [b:Fermat's Last Theorem|131305|Fermat's Last Theorem|Simon Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348763708l/131305._SY75_.jpg|38182] by Simon Singh).
Stephen Hawking is someone I admire and find fascinating. Leonard Mlodinow is a friend and co-author of two books with Hawking and decided to write Hawking's biography with interviews with some of his nearest and dearest.
This is a fairly quick read and I loved hearing about Hawking's upbringing. It gave a great insight into how he dealt with his deteriorating health due to ALS, and how this condition motivated him to continue trying to answer questions about the world and why we're here. The reason I mentioned wanting to give it a one star was that sometimes it felt like we were being given information that was too intimate, such as how he was fed by carers and how he relieved himself.
Overall though it was great to find out more about the magnificent man, including how funny and adventurous he was. I'd love a similar book that focused more on his scientific achievements than his daily struggles and relationship issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Stephen Hawking is someone I admire and find fascinating. Leonard Mlodinow is a friend and co-author of two books with Hawking and decided to write Hawking's biography with interviews with some of his nearest and dearest.
This is a fairly quick read and I loved hearing about Hawking's upbringing. It gave a great insight into how he dealt with his deteriorating health due to ALS, and how this condition motivated him to continue trying to answer questions about the world and why we're here. The reason I mentioned wanting to give it a one star was that sometimes it felt like we were being given information that was too intimate, such as how he was fed by carers and how he relieved himself.
Overall though it was great to find out more about the magnificent man, including how funny and adventurous he was. I'd love a similar book that focused more on his scientific achievements than his daily struggles and relationship issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
drkaylabaldwin's review against another edition
4.0
* I received this copy from a Goodreads giveaway.*
As someone who has only known Stephen Hawking from pop culture references and movies this was such a beautiful story that brought his humanity to the forefront. While his disease is certainly discussed, this book's focus is far from it and instead focuses on Hawking's relationships with the author, his colleagues, caretakers, and family.
I appreciated Mlodinow's explanations of concepts and theorems as they were stated in easy to understand language.
As someone who has only known Stephen Hawking from pop culture references and movies this was such a beautiful story that brought his humanity to the forefront. While his disease is certainly discussed, this book's focus is far from it and instead focuses on Hawking's relationships with the author, his colleagues, caretakers, and family.
I appreciated Mlodinow's explanations of concepts and theorems as they were stated in easy to understand language.