Michael's review
The Illustrated Brief History of Time
by Stephen W. Hawking
So since I've started my graduate exams studying I realize how awful physics CAN be. So the fact that this book is so far pretty enjoyable is a testament to Hawking the scientist and the writer.
I understand about the relativity, two clocks near the earth and at the top of a tall tower not running the same I still dont' understand. But I didn't really get lost until he got into his true love, black holes. The illustrations helped, but it's apparent that he was holding back during those chapters.
Hopefully it will continue to be an enjoyable dork divertion adn I'm looking forward to "The Universe in a Nutshell".
As for all those who don't like some of his GUT, well, they all haters.
So since I've started my graduate exams studying I realize how awful physics CAN be. So the fact that this book is so far pretty enjoyable is a testament to Hawking the scientist and the writer.
I understand about the relativity, two clocks near the earth and at the top of a tall tower not running the same I still dont' understand. But I didn't really get lost until he got into his true love, black holes. The illustrations helped, but it's apparent that he was holding back during those chapters.
Hopefully it will continue to be an enjoyable dork divertion adn I'm looking forward to "The Universe in a Nutshell".
As for all those who don't like some of his GUT, well, they all haters.
Hawking was on Charlie Rose last night with his daughter and also a Sir Somebody or another Reese (sic.) from Cambridge. He seems still to be working on the "theory of everything" I'm fairly ignorant of such things. Should read this.
Michael's review
The Illustrated Brief History of Time by Stephen W. Hawking
Michael's review
rating:
It's been a couple of months since I read this book, but it was quite a comfort, maybe more a distraction, during some rough days. Hawking's universe is explained in such straightforward terms, but without any condescension. He makes physics really enjoyable, and the illustrations certainly help make some aspects of the field more understandable.
Ironically, the concept that's left the most foggy for me is that of time and its relativity. Hawking doesn't always explain everything in full and asks the reader to accept a few assertions that aren't necessarily true by definition.
I'm told that Hawking's attempt at a Grand Unification Theory of quantum mechanics is a bit outdated, but its definitely enlightening and enjoyable for the lay reader.
Ironically, the concept that's left the most foggy for me is that of time and its relativity. Hawking doesn't always explain everything in full and asks the reader to accept a few assertions that aren't necessarily true by definition.
I'm told that Hawking's attempt at a Grand Unification Theory of quantum mechanics is a bit outdated, but its definitely enlightening and enjoyable for the lay reader.
So since I've started my graduate exams studying I realize how awful physics CAN be. So the fact that this book is so far pretty enjoyable is a testament to Hawking the scientist and the writer.
I understand about the relativity, two clocks near the earth and at the top of a tall tower not running the same I still dont' understand. But I didn't really get lost until he got into his true love, black holes. The illustrations helped, but it's apparent that he was holding back during those chapters.
Hopefully it will continue to be an enjoyable dork divertion adn I'm looking forward to "The Universe in a Nutshell".
As for all those who don't like some of his GUT, well, they all haters.
So since I've started my graduate exams studying I realize how awful physics CAN be. So the fact that this book is so far pretty enjoyable is a testament to Hawking the scientist and the writer.
I understand about the relativity, two clocks near the earth and at the top of a tall tower not running the same I still dont' understand. But I didn't really get lost until he got into his true love, black holes. The illustrations helped, but it's apparent that he was holding back during those chapters.
Hopefully it will continue to be an enjoyable dork divertion adn I'm looking forward to "The Universe in a Nutshell".
As for all those who don't like some of his GUT, well, they all haters.
Hawking was on Charlie Rose last night with his daughter and also a Sir Somebody or another Reese (sic.) from Cambridge. He seems still to be working on the "theory of everything" I'm fairly ignorant of such things. Should read this.
