[jjacob]

I'm currently finishing "Black Holes, Wormholes & Time Machines" by Jim Al-Khalili, and I'm wondering whether this would be a good follow up. Has anyone here read this? Is it even comprehensible to laymen such as myself? Al-Khalili's book is awesome and very easy to understand (most people here might just as well skip the first 100 pages), but I've heard only a small percentage of people understand A Brief History Of Time. Sounds like a challenge to me

[lumi]

Originally Posted by jjacob

Is it even comprehensible to laymen such as myself?

I've heard that the book was intended for the layman.

[jjacob]

Originally Posted by Spider Crusoe

I've heard that the book was intended for the layman.

Great, that should work then I can still hardly get my head around four dimensional spacetime, bugs the hell out of me

[lumi]

Originally Posted by jjacob

Great, that should work then I can still hardly get my head around four dimensional spacetime, bugs the hell out of me

There's nothing to it. Think about how you move around in three dimensions right now. Now think about moving through time in the same way.

If that's still confusing, I'll send you a free pass to the 4th dimension field trips. Your guide should be able to fill you in.

[fov]

A friend of mine was obsessed with this book in high school. She certainly wasn't a genius, so if she could understand it at age 15, I'm sure you'll be fine.

[nikoniko]

I believe he also came out with a revised version not too long ago, which is supposed to be even more accessible to the layman, with all sorts of nifty illustrations. Ah, here it is:

The Illustrated Brief History of Time, Updated and Expanded Edition

[lumi]

Originally Posted by doroposo

I believe he also came out with a revised version not too long ago, which is supposed to be even more accessible to the layman, with all sorts of nifty illustrations.

I hope it has a page that says "Big Bang goes boom!" with a popup explosion.

[nikoniko]

Originally Posted by Spider Crusoe

I hope it has a page that says "Big Bang goes boom!" with a popup explosion.

I think they're saving the popups for the next edition. They should also add those nifty sound effect buttons like they put on kids' books these days. Imagine hearing the boom of the bang!

[Starflux]

I've got a little pocket called 'Hawking for Beginners' and ever since that I've been wanting to read this book. The illustrated version sounds even better!

[jjacob]

I'm so going to buy this book (the expanded edition no less) Thanks! I do understand spacetime, but I still can't quite comprehed it (to coin a phrase of the Dutch clown Bassie ) , if you catch my drift. The weirdest thing I've come across so far is part of the M-theory, which theorizes that the universe was unstable up until the Big Bang, after which six or seven dimensions curled up into an infinitely tiny 'ball', leaving our three dimensions plus one of time

I think Hawking is going to blow my mind into even tinier pieces, yeah, I'm a geek, I know

[UPtimist]

I have it, though I haven't finished it... I also have its follow-up The Universe in a Nutshell, but I haven't read it yet. I think it should be even more understandable.

[pinkgothic]

I have both the Illustrated Brief History of Time and the Universe in a Nutshell - they're both definitely accessible and very, very understandable, but they also try to be, so if you're looking for the real depth of theory and mindbogglingness, as much as I love those books, they're kind of thin But by all means, go get them. Lovely things.

For fairness' sakes, I should note that I stay far away from anything more eloquent myself. Well, bar for wikipedia, where I like getting my mind imploded on, though that always depends on the quality of an article, which isn't guaranteed, but, I digress...

[lumi]

Originally Posted by jjacob

I do understand spacetime, but I still can't quite comprehed it (to coin a phrase of the Dutch clown Bassie ) , if you catch my drift.

There's one way to fix that. Here, take a toke.

[vivasawadee]

I have read (and loved) all of Mr Hawkings books.

The Universe in a nutshell is a permanent fixture in my toilet magazine rack next to my cherished Viz and Preacher comics

[jjacob]

Originally Posted by Spider Crusoe

There's one way to fix that. Here, take a toke.

I really shouldn't, I've got a short film to shoot next week.. I.. I..

*submits to peer pressure

Originally Posted by vivasawadee

I have read (and loved) all of Mr Hawkings books.

The Universe in a nutshell is a permanent fixture in my toilet magazine rack next to my cherished Viz and Preacher comics

Now I'll have to buy and read all his books Just finished Black Holes, Wormholes & Time Machines, excellent stuff, now I'm off to collapse a neutron star, travel back in time, educate my younger self and win the Nobel prize for physics at age 13