Hawking’s
book begins with a history of astronomy. The physicist introduces Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton to a lay audience. Their cosmological theories and models are carefully explained. Edwin Hubble’s observation of an expanding
universe occurred in the 1920s. Celestial observations by Hubble and Herschel are detailed later. Hawking continues by explaining gravitational theory. The author states that the
theory of
relativity and quantum mechanics examine opposite phenomena. Relativity focuses on gravity and the vastness of the universe, while quantum mechanics deals with miniscule elements. Hawking states that gravity, although actually a weak phenomenon, was given a major focus in his book, due to its great effect upon the universe.
Reference is made to the advantage of intelligence and science for survival in the past. Hawking questions whether scientific discovery will enable human survival in the future. He feels that the discovery of a unifying theory of the universe might be impossible, as
scientists tend to focus on their individual pieces of the problem. It would be an example of not seeing the forest for the trees. This leads to Hawking’s assertion that humans are striving to attain total knowledge of our universe. According to Hawking, this total theory should be understandable to scientists and non-scientists.
The history of cosmology reveals some interesting items regarding famous scientists. Aristotle believed that the laws of the universe could be arrived at by thought. Observation was unnecessary. Apparently, Galileo was the first to engage in experimentation and observation of the motion of bodies. Newton took Galileo’s results and built upon them. The science timeline continued with Maxwell’s study of electromagnetic waves.
Drawings complement Hawking’s text on space-time. One intersection of
space and
time exists in the concept of a geodesic. The shortest, or longest, course between two close points on a curved surface; a well-known geodesic is a flight path. Einstein theorized that energy and mass affected space-time, causing it to curve.
The reader learns that Einstein announced his theory of relativity in 1915. Dr. Einstein obviously stands as an important figure to Hawking. His book concludes with three biographies, that of Einstein, Galileo and Newton.
Obviously, Hawking does not place himself alongside these scientific giants. His personal life barely appears within the book. He briefly mentions his being diagnosed with ALS and his search for a PhD thesis topic. Although highly honored by his peers, Hawking’s remembrances awards received are greatly downplayed.
Each chapter in Dr. Hawking’s book presents a major topic in physics, followed by a thorough examination of investigators and their work. Written in a clear, understandable manner, the book is enlightening, even for those not engaged in a scientific field.
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