The Grand Design
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4.2 • 327 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Fascinating . . . a wealth of ideas [that] leave us with a clearer understanding of modern physics in all its invigorating complexity.”—Los Angeles Times
When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? In The Grand Design, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most illuminating scientific thinking about these and other abiding mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by brilliance and simplicity.
According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a “theory of everything”: the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason.
A succinct, startling, and lavishly illustrated guide to discoveries that are altering our understanding and threatening some of our most cherished belief systems, The Grand Design is a book that will inform—and provoke—like no other.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The three central questions of philosophy and science: Why is there something rather than nothing? Why do we exist? Why this particular set of laws and not some other? No one can make a discussion of such matters as compulsively readable as the celebrated University of Cambridge cosmologist Hawking (A Brief History of Time). Along with Caltech physicist Mlodinow (The Drunkard's Walk), Hawking deftly mixes cutting-edge physics to answer those key questions. For instance, why do we exist? Earth occupies a "Goldilocks Zone" in space: just the perfect distance from a not-too-hot star, with just the right elements to allow life to evolve. On a larger scale, in order to explain the universe, the authors write, "we need to know not only how the universe behaves, but why." While no single theory exists yet, scientists are approaching that goal with what is called "M-theory," a collection of overlapping theories (including string theory) that fill in many (but not all) the blank spots in quantum physics; this collection is known as the "Grand Unified Field Theories." This may all finally explain the mystery of the universe's creation without recourse to a divine creator. This is an amazingly concise, clear, and intriguing overview of where we stand when it comes to divining the secrets of the universe. 41 color illus. throughout, 7 b&w cartoons.
Customer Reviews
See AllA comprehensible glimpse into thinking leading up to M-theory
...but definitely challenging at times as a few of the ideas were a little too conceptual for someone like me who was a science major way back in the 19th century it seems (11 dimensions? Of course!). I am hoping that time away from it then a second read will help close the 10% (ok 30%) or so that I struggled with.
That said, overall a very enjoyable and stimulating read, with many efforts to simplify and use examples, analogies, with some monty python moments thrown in.
Very interesting read
If you're interested in physics and the origin an workings of the universe, then you'll love this book. Complex quantum physics theories are toned down in order to grasp the general ideas although I believe a general knowledge of physics is still required to follow along. Still not an easy read but definitely worth taking the time to understand the concepts. I highly enjoyed it.
Read this when I was 14
Great book. His depictions of scientific experiments is amazing. Unlike "A Brief History of Time", he doesn't make stretches for the possibility of some scientific ideas. I also was strongly convinced by his description of the multiverse theory. His discussion of the 11 dimensions wasn't very passionate in comparison to his other discussions. I am taking a liking to the M-theory, but I have troubles going after ideas with little to no evidence. Must be why I'm an atheist.