"A Brief History of Time"

This is my second book review of what will be many. "A Brief History Of Time" by Stephen Hawking is not a book for the faint of heart, or the weak of mind. I say this not to scare people away from reading this great book, but simply as a warning. Stephen Hawking is arguably the smartest man alive, and as he explains his theories, and possible explanations for the beginning of time, space, and black holes, even the most advanced mind will inevitably find themselves "Backing the truck up" a few hundred times trying to grasp what is being said.

I consider myself as being above average in intelligence, being a college graduate, and having passed four different physics courses during my studies, and I have found myself reading this book for the fourth time and still catching new tid bits of information that didn't quite sink in the previous three times. Each time I re-read this mind blowing book, I feel as tho my eyes open just a little more about what is "Out there."

The main problem with this book strangely enough, is the Author. Stephen, trying his best to bring one of the most complicated topics on earth down to the level of the "average" reader, just does not work. The only correlation I can make is that of a first grade teacher, trying to explain to a child advanced calculus. There just not enough of a base to bridge the gap of teaching and learning for the child to even remotely understand. That being said, have no fear. Not all of the topics and theories discussed are beyond understanding, and with the graphics, or charts offered to go along with a particular subject, some of the difficult information does bridge the gap, so all is not completely lost screaming over your head in a fast and furious fly by.

If you have ever spent time, gazing up at the stars, and wondered about our universe, how planets are born, burn bright, and then die, or asked yourself, "How did all of this happen?" Stephen offers scientific theories for all of these. He also broaches the subject of "time" itself. How it is relevant, its direction (if there is any) and how it relates to the forming of the universe.

Black holes are another fascinating subject the world renowned Physicist talks about. How they are possibly formed, what they consist of, how we can tell where they might be out there in the universe, and what may or may not be beyond the event horizon of them.

Mr. Hawking's views on all of the subjects are interesting to say the very least, and are worth reading about. Grab a cup of coffee, or ten, find a quiet room, and prepare yourself for a journey into the known, unknown, theorized, and questioned reality of our earth, galaxy, universe, and the very existence of space and time.

My rating for this book is 8.00 out of 10.00

Here is a link to his official web site.

http://www.hawking.org.uk/home/hindex.html