It was nice to revisit this book, I read the original back in early 1996, and this edition came out in 1998. A Brief History of Time was the first book that pushed me toward the idea of a bigger and more complex reality than I assumed. Honestly thirteen years after my first read, I can't say what is different, better or worse, but as a whole I enjoyed the read.

Stephen Hawking covers pretty much all the big questions of the universe, what are space and time, and what (little) do we know about them. Why is the universe expanding, and a myriad of topics related, such as what fuels it, and will it ever cease. He discusses Black Holes, Time Travel, particles and the Arrow of time. He even includes such big topics as the origin and fate of the entire universe.

One thing I like now (and liked when I first read the book) was his ability to mix simplified data with complex data. So the reader doesn't necessarily felt talked down to, the book is understandable (as much as anything dealing with quantum physics is) through just his explanations, but more information is there for those who can process more on the detailed parts.

His humour and humility make it a comfortable read, as he confesses his own inability to truly understand or visual the concepts being discussed, or when he lightheartedly talks about humanity being incinerated when the Sun explodes. It might not be the most up-to-date book on the subject, but I was more rereading it for the personal experience, than to read something on the cutting edge, all in all, I enjoyed working my way through it again. ( )

A great account, and probably a good place to start into the world of modern physics for people with a background of such things. Probably not the easiest book to understand, but neither should the question of when and how does the universe begin and end be for the faint of heart. On the other hand, I don't think that Hawking here presents as much insight as one would've liked, and I am not sure if we all are so interested in knowing that he's keeping track of who's winning the Nobel Prize and who isn't (himself?). I find that bit a little annoying at times. ( )

The theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and the search for a unified theory of the universe are the subjects of this mind-boggling investigation of physics (I found I could read about 5 pages at a time without my brain hurting). Perhaps I was even more at a disadvantage for never having taken physics in high school. Even so, it's ultimately a rewarding learning experience reading about the universe as we know it. I'm interested in learning more, and daresay I'll understand more for having persevered through this title. ( )

These book has ezpertly guided nonscientists in the ongoing search for the tantalizing secrets at the heart of time and space

The best popular non-fiction science book ever written. If you are reading this and don't own the book...go buy it NOW! Even for those who think they have no interest in physics or science. Hawking shows that we are instinctively tied to the subject. He presents his material in a way that even a high school student can understand the basics. ( )