CraigS
27-10-2010, 03:52 PM
I happened to get a quick look at Stephen Hawking's new book "The Grand Design" this week.
Its a very interesting and easy-to-read book, covering many concepts we've discussed here at IIS over the last few weeks about origins of life, the Universe, etc.
I also found a very interesting review by Roger Penrose (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_penrose), who, among many other achievements, was awarded the 1998 Wolf Prize for physics, which he shared with Hawking. Penrose's review of Hawking's book (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bdf3ae28-b6e9-11df-b3dd-00144feabdc0.html) is an extremely interesting read in itself, and gives interesting insights into both his and Hawking's views on Quantum Mechanics (often not the same).
Anyway, from my quick read of certain sections of Hawking's book, I'd definitely recommend it. Its about $35 from most bookshops. It is well written by co-writer Leonard Mlodinow, and appears to be very clear and concise, utilising easy to understand analogies. It also brings one's Hawking book collection right up-to-date with current mainstream cosmological theory.
Cheers
Its a very interesting and easy-to-read book, covering many concepts we've discussed here at IIS over the last few weeks about origins of life, the Universe, etc.
I also found a very interesting review by Roger Penrose (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_penrose), who, among many other achievements, was awarded the 1998 Wolf Prize for physics, which he shared with Hawking. Penrose's review of Hawking's book (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bdf3ae28-b6e9-11df-b3dd-00144feabdc0.html) is an extremely interesting read in itself, and gives interesting insights into both his and Hawking's views on Quantum Mechanics (often not the same).
Anyway, from my quick read of certain sections of Hawking's book, I'd definitely recommend it. Its about $35 from most bookshops. It is well written by co-writer Leonard Mlodinow, and appears to be very clear and concise, utilising easy to understand analogies. It also brings one's Hawking book collection right up-to-date with current mainstream cosmological theory.
Cheers