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Book Review: Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking

By Amazon, Books & Authors, NatureNo Comments
brief-answers-to-the-big-questions-stephen-hawking-book-cover Brief Answers To The Big Questions brings together a range of talks and presentations delivered by Stephen Hawking to answer these ten questions:

1. Is there a God?
2. How did it all begin?
3. Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
4. Can we predict the future?
5. What is inside a black hole?
6. Is time travel possible?
7. Will we survive on Earth?
8. Should we colonise space?
9. Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
10. How do we shape the future?

Hawking starts by telling his story. Here’s a quote that I think is fantastic:

‘One of the great revelations of the space age has been the perspective it has given humanity on ourselves as a whole. We see the unity, and not the divisions. It is such a simple image with a compelling message; one planet, one human race.’
(From: Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking, page 4, 2018)

Hawking discusses physics, mathematics, general relativity, thermodynamics and quantum physics. He explains on the laws of the universe and science, and what we know and don’t know.

Hawking makes predictions for the future and not just ones related to particle physics or the science we don’t yet understand. He makes predictions about the future of the human race. The first half of the book is science-heavy, almost like Hawking was flexing his academic knowledge and showing what he knows. The latter half of the book is more about inspiration, imagination and hope for the future.

Hawking explains scientific concepts in an engaging way, that stretches the mind of the reader and writes with passion that pours off the page.

You can buy Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking on Amazon.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Book Review: The Humans by Matt Haig

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-humans-matt-haig-book-cover The Humans is a unique and brilliant novel that you have to read.

Professor Andrew Martin is a Mathematician at Cambridge University. He is about to share his prove of the Riemann hypothesis. But up in the nights sky, among the stars is a planet with an alien race watching.

The Vonnadorians think Humans are savage. They have decided that Humans are not ready for the knowledge of Martin’s work and where it will lead them. So they send a nameless Alien in the guise of Professor Andrew Martin, to destroy the knowledge and anybody that knows of its existence.

The nameless Alien tells the story from his perspective, addressing others of his species. He starts by noticing the ugly appearance of Humans and the odd social conventions that we have. As he learns these social conventions he gets himself into hilarious situations that will have the Reader laughing aloud.

Pretending to be Professor Andrew Martin the Alien gets to know Martin’s Wife Isobel, Martin’s teenage son Gulliver and the family dog Newton. He becomes emotionally attached to them. To the point where he falls in love with Isobel, becomes a father figure to Gulliver and learns to communicate with Newton. He realises he has to make a difficult choice.

But he knows what ever decision he makes, his people won’t deviate from their plan. His people are driven by pure logic and in his society Mathematics is like the only religion.

His decision leads to another being sent to complete the job. But what will the Alien do?

The writers voice is captivating throughout. The characters were well-rounded and had the appropriate level of depth. The pacing was ideal. Every time the Reader gets to the end of a chapter he/she will think: just one more chapter, before I stop.

The Humans is throughly entertaining. Towards the end of the book the Alien writes a list giving advice to Gulliver. This 97 point list was great and will make the Reader think about life.

I can’t heap enough praise on this superb story. The Humans has become one of my all-time favourite books and one that I’ll read again and again.

The Humans is available to buy on Amazon.

Review soon,

Antony

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