The Grand Design [B0165-PB]

2012 PB in Gift-Worthy condition. "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. 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.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This book is for anyone who loves physics! The discussion centers on M-theory, and it becomes clear that we are still years away from truly confirming it as the 'Theory of Everything'. Concepts from both classical and advanced theories—such as relativity and those that emerged later—are explained with relative simplicity, making the book well worth reading for that reason alone."; "This book could be subtitled something like 'Quantum Physics for Dummies', or the like. Hawking makes a complex and often headachy subject accessible for those of us who don't hold advanced degrees in the sciences. And often with a sprinkling of tongue-in-cheek humor."; "I learned a lot, and now I have more questions than when I started."; "A succinct yet profound exploration of reality itself. The book doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but it does something arguably more valuable: it equips you to ask better questions. A deeply educational and mind-expanding read for anyone who loves diving into the mysteries of existence."