The Grand Design
2010 • 199 pages
Ratings27
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings27
Average rating4.1
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? In this startling and lavishly illustrated book, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most recent scientific thinking about these and other abiding mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by brilliance and simplicity. According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe, and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a “theory of everything”: the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason.
Reviews with the most likes.
Short non-fiction read whilst I descide what to read next.
I've wanted to read a Stephen Hawking book for a while and wasn't disappointed, I have to admit I only have a passing interest in science (mainly the fun space stuff) but as this was a short book it felt like the right size.
I'd recommend The Grand Design to anyone wanting to try something new, it's a quick read (I did half on my Kindle and half Audio book). If you have no interest in science, this isn't for you (obviously).
I think this book does exactly what it intends to, which is to explain the very surface of the current physics and what it means. I know a lot of people have tried to depict it as saying God doesn't exist. It does not say that. The book states that we do not need to use any kind of religion to explain the universe. In the same way that we do not need to use religion to explain the so many things. That does not mean that religion is unnecessary. But I see why so many get uncomfortable. It's the Sam discomfort that acknowledging that the sun is that the center of the solar system caused. At first it feels as if all of theology is threatened.
But if you set that aside you get a very good overview of cosmology, something Hawking is the world's thought leader in.
