Stephen Hawking: A Life In Science

Physical

In Circulation

‘A gripping account of a physicist whose speculations could prove as revolutionary as those of Albert Einstein. It can be consulted as a clear and authoritative guide through three decades of Hawking’s central contributions to cosmology.’ Bernard Dixon in the New Statesman and Society ‘Excellent from the opening pages, which relate the occasion when Shirley MacLaine sought an audience with her hero in a Cambridge restaurant, to the final chapter on “Hollywood, Fame and Fortune”, the book is well-nigh input down able [It] ought to be read alongside A Brief History of Time as a kind of explanatory supplement.’ Heather Cooper in the Times Educational Supplement ‘Fascinating what makes this book so rewarding is the way that the authors have blended their account of Hawking’s science with that of his life, giving a picture of a remarkable scientist as a remarkable person.’

Tony Osman in the Spectator ‘It’s compulsive reading, maybe because Hawking towers above it all, a complex and fascinating character who remains strangely elusive: boyish yet indomitable, stubborn yet charming, a private man rebelling in fame.’ Clare Francis in the Sunday Express ‘[Their book] conveys how scientific research is not just a dry intellectual pursuit but an adventure full of joy, despair and humor, and fraught with the sort of inter-personal problems and rivalries which mark all human endeavors.’ Bernard Carr in the Independent on Sunday. ‘Few scientists become legends in their own lifetime. Stephen Hawking is one. It is good to have this well-documented and immensely readable biography to remind us that the media-hyped “mute genius in the wheelchair” is in fact a sensitive, humorous, ambitious and occasionally wilful human being.’ Paul Davies in the Times Higher Education Supplement.

What will you learn from this book

Early Life and Education: The biography explores Hawking's upbringing in England and his early fascination with science and mathematics, which paved the way for his academic pursuits.
Diagnosis of ALS: Hawking's diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21 and his determination to continue his scientific work despite the debilitating effects of the disease are central themes in the book.
Groundbreaking Research: The biography highlights Hawking's groundbreaking research in theoretical physics, particularly his contributions to our understanding of black holes, cosmology, and the nature of the universe.
Theory of Black Holes: Hawking's development of the theory of black hole radiation, known as Hawking radiation, revolutionized our understanding of black holes and their properties.
Popularization of Science: The book discusses Hawking's efforts to popularize science and make complex concepts accessible to the general public through books, lectures, and media appearances.
Bestselling Book: A Brief History of Time: Hawking's bestselling book "A Brief History of Time" brought his ideas to a wider audience and became one of the most influential popular science books of all time.
Personal Life: The biography offers insights into Hawking's personal life, including his marriages, family relationships, and struggles with his health, providing a more intimate portrait of the man behind the science.
Challenges and Triumphs: Despite facing significant physical challenges due to his illness, Hawking continued to pursue his research and make significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics.
Scientific Legacy: The book examines Hawking's enduring scientific legacy and his impact on our understanding of the universe, inspiring future generations of physicists and cosmologists.
Cultural Icon: Hawking's status as a cultural icon and public figure, known for his wit, intelligence, and resilience in the face of adversity, is also explored in the biography.

Language	English
ISBN-10	0140156151
ISBN-13	9780140156157
No of pages	304
Font Size	Medium
Book Publisher	Penguin India
Published Date	14 Oct 2000

About Author

Author : John Gribbin

6 Books

John R. Gribbin is a British science writer, an astrophysicist, and a visiting fellow in astronomy at the University of Sussex. The topical range of his prolific writings includes quantum physics, biographies of famous scientists, human evolution, the origins of the universe, climate change and global warming. His also writes science fiction.

John Gribbin graduated with his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Sussex in 1966. Gribbin then earned his master of science (M.Sc.) degree in astronomy in 1967, also from the Univ. of Sussex, and he earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Cambridge (1971).

In 1968, Gribbin worked as one of Fred Hoyle's research students at the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, and wrote a number of stories for New Scientist about the Institute's research and what were eventually discovered to be pulsars.

In 1974, Gribbin published, along with Stephen Plagemann, a book titled The Jupiter Effect, that predicted that the alignment of the planets in quadrant on one side of the Sun on March 10, 1982 would cause gravitational effects that would trigger earthquakes in the San Andreas fault, possibly wiping out Los Angeles and its suburbs. Gribbin repudiated The Jupiter Effect in the July 17, 1980, issue of New Scientist magazine in which he stated that he had been "too clever by half".

In 1984, Gribbin published In Search of Schrodinger's Cat: Quantum Physics and Reality, the book that he is best known for, which continues to sell well 28 years after publication. It has been described as among the best of the first wave of physics popularisations preceding Stephen Hawking's multi-million-selling A Brief History of Time. Gribbin's book has been cited as an example of how to revive an interest in the study of mathematics.

In 2006, Gribbin took part in a BBC radio 4 broadcast as an "expert witness". Presenter Matthew Parris discussed with Professor Kathy Sykes and Gribbin whether Einstein "really was a 'crazy genius' ".

At the 2009 World Conference of Science Journalists, the Association of British Science Writers presented Gribbin with their Lifetime Achievement award.