Brief Answers to the Big Questions
by Stephen Hawking
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Stephen Hawking’s daughter reminisces with personal anecdotes
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Spoiler:
In this very personal sit-down interview, Lucy Hawking recalls her father’s dry sense of humor, his constant presence and attention as a dad, and his way of describing scientific concepts using common vocabulary. She recalls, for example, accompanying him on a trip to Russia where he addressed an audience of his peers. About half an hour into the lecture, the translator ripped off her headset and left the room in tears because she had reached her limit with Hawking’s style of speech when he described the universe as “a question of plumbing.”
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Hawking’s daughter describes book plus vintage family photos
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Spoiler:
Describing the book as “an unfinished symphony,” Lucy Hawking relates that her father had always wanted to collate his body of work into a book like this. In addition, she says he was constantly asked for his opinion about the big questions, such as climate change. She says that, for her, the book is like having a conversation with her father in that it touches on “grand, overarching themes” while also containing “a wealth of detail and insight.” She hopes readers will see his “joyful optimism” in the book.
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Analysis and book review in talking-head format
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Spoiler:
The reviewer notes that this book is quite accessible to the average reader, with the exception of the chapter on black holes, and that Hawking’s famous sense of humor is on full display. With chapter titles like “Is There a God?” and “Will Artificial Intelligence Outsmart Us?” Hawking was able to express his personal opinion on key issues that face humanity. The reviewer says he read the book in two days, loved it, and recommends it. He adds that Hawking also writes about his life, children and career.
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Other books by Stephen Hawking
Publications
The Guardian: Stephen Hawking’s thoughts on God and AI pale in comparison to his scientific insight
The Wall Street Journal: Serious Doubt on Serious Earth
The Guardian: Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking review – God, space, AI, Brexit
The Washington Post: Stephen Hawking’s final musings on God, life in the universe and time travel
The Independent: Stephen Hawking's posthumous book 'Brief Answers to The Big Questions' says 'there's no God'
National Public Radio: 'Brief Answers To The Big Questions' Is Stephen Hawking's Parting Gift To Humanity
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