
Hawking
His Life and Work
Graham Farmelo(Author)
John Murray Publishers Ltd
Will be published approx. on 24. September 2026
Book
Hardback
608 pages
978-1-5293-3933-8 (ISBN)
Description
'When one is faced with the possibility of early death, it makes one realise that life is worth living.' Stephen Hawking
An insatiable curiosity and appreciation for life powered Stephen Hawking to the furthest reaches of the universe and human achievement: during his remarkable lifetime he shed light on many of the mysteries of black holes and made key contributions to our understanding of the beginnings of the universe, all while captivating the world and selling more than 25 million copies of A Brief History of Time.
A brilliant theoretical physicist, Hawking lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the past century. And yet, none of this should have been possible. Aged 21, he was given only a few years to live - and spent the next fifty-five showing what can be achieved despite near-hopeless odds.
Drawing on his parents' previously unseen letters and diaries, and exclusive interviews with Stephen's family, friends and closest colleagues, Costa Award-winning biographer and physicist Graham Farmelo reveals the complex man behind the theories and global celebrity - and the resilience, fortitude and support that enabled him to defy his life-limiting diagnosis.
Vividly told and rigorously researched, Hawking is the definitive portrait of an exceptional man and extraordinary intellect.
An insatiable curiosity and appreciation for life powered Stephen Hawking to the furthest reaches of the universe and human achievement: during his remarkable lifetime he shed light on many of the mysteries of black holes and made key contributions to our understanding of the beginnings of the universe, all while captivating the world and selling more than 25 million copies of A Brief History of Time.
A brilliant theoretical physicist, Hawking lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the past century. And yet, none of this should have been possible. Aged 21, he was given only a few years to live - and spent the next fifty-five showing what can be achieved despite near-hopeless odds.
Drawing on his parents' previously unseen letters and diaries, and exclusive interviews with Stephen's family, friends and closest colleagues, Costa Award-winning biographer and physicist Graham Farmelo reveals the complex man behind the theories and global celebrity - and the resilience, fortitude and support that enabled him to defy his life-limiting diagnosis.
Vividly told and rigorously researched, Hawking is the definitive portrait of an exceptional man and extraordinary intellect.
Reviews / Votes
This is without doubt the definitive biography of Hawking, the uniquely brilliant theoretical physicist and the global superstar. With unprecedented access to archives, letters, and diaries, newly unearthed family details, and deep insights into Hawking's work, Farmelo has cemented his reputation as the very best science biographer of his generation -- Jim Al-Khalili A triumphant success. Farmelo describes, in context, the insights that established Stephen Hawking as a great theorist. But of course it's the image of an imprisoned mind roaming the cosmos - an amazing triumph over adversity - that generated Stephen's global celebrity and inspired millions. He's fortunate that his official biographer writes with authority about the science, but also describes all aspects of an astonishingly full life with insight and sensitivity -- Martin Rees An extremely impressive biography. It gives a very readable, detailed, and comprehensive account of the life and work of this most remarkable of men -- Roger Penrose This is a compelling and deeply human biography of Stephen Hawking, capturing both the remarkable scientist and the complexity of the man. It offers rare insight into how theoretical physicists think and work, while also showing how Hawking lived with profound health challenges, sustained by family, nurses, friends, collaborators and his enduring fascination with physics. It brings to life not only Hawking's scientific imagination, but also the courage, humour and relationships that shaped his life -- Marika Taylor The incredible life and science of a man who accepted no boundaries. (Only after reading this wonderful book will you understand the full meaning of the previous sentence.) -- Juan MaldacenaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Murray Press
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
N/A
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-5293-3933-8 (9781529339338)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Person
Graham Farmelo is an award-winning science writer and biographer, and the winner of the 2012 Kelvin Prize and Medal. Formerly an academic, museum professional and undercover restaurant critic, he is now a Fellow at Churchill College, Cambridge, and a regular Visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. His biography of Paul Dirac, The Strangest Man, won the 2009 Costa Biography Award and the 2010 Los Angeles Times Science Book Prize.
www.grahamfarmelo.com
@grahamfarmelo
www.grahamfarmelo.com
@grahamfarmelo