Review of My Brief History by Stephen Hawking

I had heard of Stephen Hawking, just the name, but really didn’t know who he was and his remarkable path and contributions until I started watching “The Big Bang Theory”.  See! The “Boob Tube” does have some redeeming qualities!

I didn’t even know his condition is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). He mentions his condition throughout the 75-page.

The book is truly a “brief” history of Stephen Hawking’s life, but encompassing a life lived and full of love, fun, humor, self-deprecation, honesty, determination, genius, bravery, science, questions, answers, accomplishments, inspiration, black holes, quantum gravity and the universe.

It’s simply written…for the most part except when he goes off explaining some of his research and theories in depth. I just read through those parts a few times, trying to understand an overview of the subject matter and Hawking does a great job of presenting these highly technical concepts to the general public.

The brilliant thing about Stephen Hawking’s work and life, is that even without this condition he would still have made the contributions he has to the world of science and physics, BUT because of the disease and his public persona, he shows the world how it’s possible to overcome limitations and what seems like insurmountable obstacles and come out the better for it – all the while inspiring others and contributing to both the scientific community as well as the “general public”.

More than once on “The Big Bang Theory”, Howard has done his impression of Stephen Hawking’s electronically produced voice. The fact that the man has been on the show in person, has been mentioned several times, as well as was in one episode playing “Words with Friends” with Sheldon shows us that he has an immeasurable capacity to find the humor in the hand he’s been dealt.

He explains the process he went through and the rewrites he undertook when writing the bestseller, "A Brief History of Time” which presented complex physical concepts, but made them accessible to the general public. I can’t wait to read it!

Even though the book is literally “brief”, it is overflowing with a plethora of a rich, full and amazing life and I pray he continues to contribute and inspire for a long time yet to come…because there is no such hope as time travel.  ;)

 

My Brief History
Stephen Hawking

Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell

Publication Date: September 10, 2013

Disclaimer: This book was provided to reviewer from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Dell through NetGalley for the sole purpose of reading and review.