Book details
A Brief History of Time
by Stephen W. Hawking
1988 · Random House
About the book
Stephen Hawking explains the mechanics of the universe, moving from Newtonian gravity and relativity to the subatomic world of quantum mechanics. He details the origin of the cosmos through the Big Bang and discusses the lifecycle of stars, specifically how their collapse creates black holes with immense gravitational pull. The text identifies the conflict between general relativity, which governs large-scale space, and quantum theory, which rules tiny particles. Hawking outlines the ongoing scientific search for a single, unified mathematical framework that connects these opposing physical laws.
General readers who possess little background in physics read this book to understand the fundamental laws governing reality. It appeals to those curious about how time functions and whether the universe has a definitive beginning or end. A reader gains a clear conceptual grasp of why black holes emit radiation and why space and time are interconnected. The book provides the vocabulary necessary to contemplate the structure of the cosmos without requiring a deep knowledge of complex calculus or theoretical mathematics.
Details
- Published
- 1988
- Publisher
- Random House
- ISBN
- 9780553175219
- Language
- EN