Customer Rating: 
Summary: An easier history of physics
Comment: Having read both the "brief" and the "briefer" versions of this book, I am happy I did. Perhaps reading the first one twice might also have given me a better understanding of this huge subject, but the "briefer" certainly gives a clearer illustration of it for an interested novice like me.
Customer Rating:
Summary: breifer history of time
Comment: This is a good book if you want a quick insight to the whys of science and events that shaped the scientific world. Hawkings other books History of time and Brief History of time go more indepth.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Briefer is Better!
Comment: Professor Hawking's A Briefer History of Time is an updated version (yes, shorter) of his 1988 surprise best-seller A Brief History of Time. The intent is to give the reader an overview of what the top minds are thinking about the origins and future of the universe. As expected Hawking does this with great wit, explaining complicated topics without any equations, as his publisher told him that each equation used will reduce sales by 50%.
It is not really necessary to read this book, if you have read the earlier work. There is some new material, but not much. As Hawking ages, he seems to have increased his metaphysical considerations, as this new work contains his thoughts on the role of God in all of this creation.
I saw Hawking speak (he uses a computer generated voice synthesizer) at a recent event in DC and he is truly an inspiration. Keep in mind that all of his great scientific work was accomplished after he was stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hawking is amazing
Comment: This simple and lucidly written book is an update to the original a Brief History of Time. This one is simplified and very easy to understand. It is very fluid and it was a pleasure to read, which I finished in a few hours! This is the Scientific book for the layman to be sure.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Interesting yet comprehensive for laymen ...
Comment: I understand some of the concepts presented but was disappointed that the time wasn't taken to explain the minor details of some of the theories. What is a blackbody? The term wasn't in the glossary or fully explained in the body of the text. The example of interference was, on the other hand, too simple and explained a two-slit experiment that a 4th grader would understand. Einsten's theory of relativity is only cursorily explained.
Summary: An easier history of physics
Comment: Having read both the "brief" and the "briefer" versions of this book, I am happy I did. Perhaps reading the first one twice might also have given me a better understanding of this huge subject, but the "briefer" certainly gives a clearer illustration of it for an interested novice like me.
Customer Rating:
Summary: breifer history of time
Comment: This is a good book if you want a quick insight to the whys of science and events that shaped the scientific world. Hawkings other books History of time and Brief History of time go more indepth.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Briefer is Better!
Comment: Professor Hawking's A Briefer History of Time is an updated version (yes, shorter) of his 1988 surprise best-seller A Brief History of Time. The intent is to give the reader an overview of what the top minds are thinking about the origins and future of the universe. As expected Hawking does this with great wit, explaining complicated topics without any equations, as his publisher told him that each equation used will reduce sales by 50%.
It is not really necessary to read this book, if you have read the earlier work. There is some new material, but not much. As Hawking ages, he seems to have increased his metaphysical considerations, as this new work contains his thoughts on the role of God in all of this creation.
I saw Hawking speak (he uses a computer generated voice synthesizer) at a recent event in DC and he is truly an inspiration. Keep in mind that all of his great scientific work was accomplished after he was stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hawking is amazing
Comment: This simple and lucidly written book is an update to the original a Brief History of Time. This one is simplified and very easy to understand. It is very fluid and it was a pleasure to read, which I finished in a few hours! This is the Scientific book for the layman to be sure.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Interesting yet comprehensive for laymen ...
Comment: I understand some of the concepts presented but was disappointed that the time wasn't taken to explain the minor details of some of the theories. What is a blackbody? The term wasn't in the glossary or fully explained in the body of the text. The example of interference was, on the other hand, too simple and explained a two-slit experiment that a 4th grader would understand. Einsten's theory of relativity is only cursorily explained.