Stephen Hawking (Magill Book Reviews)

At a glance:

To his colleagues in physics, Stephen W. Hawking is a professor at Cambridge and one of the major contributors to our understanding of the modern universe, including black holes and the big bang. He is known to millions of nonscientists through his nontechnical account of efforts to develop a unified theory of the universe, A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME FROM THE BIG BANG TO BLACK HOLES (1988), which became a phenomenal best-seller both in the United States and Great Britain. Others can identify him, through newspapers or television, as the scientist who is a victim of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In any case, the image of his frail body in a wheelchair would be widely recognized.

Based almost exclusively on interviews, most conducted by the authors, White and Gribbin’s biography highlights the intensity and dedication which allow Hawking to accomplish so much despite his physical limitations. It also captures the joy which is so characteristic of Hawking’s life and the humor which is so characteristic of him. Written with the cooperation of Hawking’s friends, it is full of anecdotes which demonstrate the impact Hawking has had on others. The result is a clear picture of Hawking through the eyes of others. The authors also explain some of the idiosyncrasies of the English educational system which otherwise would mystify American readers. Not surprisingly, given the authors’ credentials, the book provides excellent nontechnical discussions of Hawking’s contributions to science and the context in which he made them.

This biography is a subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, plea for appreciation and consideration for the physically challenged. It should appeal to all readers of A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME

Sources for Further Study

Chicago Tribune. May 20, 1992, V, p. 3.

London Review of Books. XIV, January 30, 1992, p. 7.

Los Angeles Times. June 9, 1992, p. E2.

Nature. CCLVI, March 5, 1992, p. 25.

New Statesman and Society. V, January 10, 1992, p. 40.

The New York Times Book Review. XCVII, June 7, 1992, p. 12.

Publishers Weekly. CCXXXIX, April 13, 1992, p. 48.

Time. CXXXIX, June 8, 1992, p. 88.

The Times Literary Supplement. January 24, 1992, p. 4.

The Washington Post Book World. XXII, June 7, 1992, p. 11.