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katie_is_dreaming 's review for:
A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes
by Stephen Hawking
Rating: 4/5
I've always been interested in space and knowing all about the origins of the universe, so I wanted to challenge myself to read this to see how much, if any, I understood. I didn't understand all of it - probably not surprising given that I'm a literature person and not a science person, but I found it an interesting read.
It was interesting for what it revealed about our understanding of the origins of the universe, how much we don't know for sure. There's a lot that's guess work, such as whether the universe will go on expanding forever or whether it will eventually contract. There are working theories based on scientific observation, but the theories have to change when observations no longer fit them. It was fascinating to learn how much physics is truly theoretical, truly feeling around in the dark.
I sort of understood the big things Hawking was talking about, but there were fundamental points I still have questions about, like he explained them in not enough detail for the complete novice. Why is general relativity so fundamental? Why is space time curved? Why do we measure in the speed of light? I know that Hawking has written another book that simplifies things even more, so I'll probably read that at some point for a clearer picture of some of those fundamental things.
I liked Hawking's writing. I liked his enthusiasm for his subject. His deep need to uncover order and meaning in the universe really came through. I also liked that he didn't dismiss a role for a creator in the origin of the universe. I think it makes sense that someone like him, who's outlived the time he was given many times over, might see a place for the divine in the making of the universe.
Definitely well worth reading even though it is difficult at times.
I've always been interested in space and knowing all about the origins of the universe, so I wanted to challenge myself to read this to see how much, if any, I understood. I didn't understand all of it - probably not surprising given that I'm a literature person and not a science person, but I found it an interesting read.
It was interesting for what it revealed about our understanding of the origins of the universe, how much we don't know for sure. There's a lot that's guess work, such as whether the universe will go on expanding forever or whether it will eventually contract. There are working theories based on scientific observation, but the theories have to change when observations no longer fit them. It was fascinating to learn how much physics is truly theoretical, truly feeling around in the dark.
I sort of understood the big things Hawking was talking about, but there were fundamental points I still have questions about, like he explained them in not enough detail for the complete novice. Why is general relativity so fundamental? Why is space time curved? Why do we measure in the speed of light? I know that Hawking has written another book that simplifies things even more, so I'll probably read that at some point for a clearer picture of some of those fundamental things.
I liked Hawking's writing. I liked his enthusiasm for his subject. His deep need to uncover order and meaning in the universe really came through. I also liked that he didn't dismiss a role for a creator in the origin of the universe. I think it makes sense that someone like him, who's outlived the time he was given many times over, might see a place for the divine in the making of the universe.
Definitely well worth reading even though it is difficult at times.