The Grand Design

by Leonard Mlodinow, Stephen Hawking

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Book Overview: The Grand Design

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – “A whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.”–The Wall Street Journal

“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.

According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”–the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a “theory of everything” the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason.

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.

ISBN-13	9780553384666
ISBN-10	055338466X
Publisher	Bantam
Publication Date	2022
Edition	Illustrated
Language	en
Pages	208
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“The authors bring together an anecdotal clarity that is something of a first for the genre. . . . Making science like this interesting is not all that hard; making it accessible is the real trick, one that The Grand Design pulls off.” –Time

“Groundbreaking.” –The Washington Post

“In this short and sprightly book . . . Hawking and Mlodinow take the reader through a whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.” — The Wall Street Journal

“Fascinating . . . a wealth of ideas [that] leave us with a clearer understanding of modern physics in all its invigorating complexity.” —Los Angeles Times

“Provocative pop science, an exploration of the latest thinking about the origins of our universe.” —The New York Times

“Introduces the reader to topics at the frontier of theoretical physics . . . more clearly for general readers than I have seen before.” –Steven Weinberg, The New York Review of Books

“A provocative, mind-expanding book.” —The Plain Dealer

About the Authors

Leonard Mlodinow

Leonard Mlodinow is a celebrated American author and physicist, renowned for his ability to thoughtfully demystify complex subjects in physics and make them accessible to a broad audience. A former Caltech professor, Mlodinow holds a PhD in theoretical physics from the University of California, Berkeley. His expansive career includes valuable contributions to television, where he served as a writer for popular shows like “MacGyver” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Driven by his passion for quantum mechanics and randomness, Mlodinow has written several bestselling books that beautifully blend science, philosophy, and history. Notable among these are “The Grand Design” and “A Briefer History of Time,” both co-authored with the eminent physicist Stephen Hawking. His book “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives” was a New York Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Royal Society’s book award.

Mlodinow has a gift for inspiring curiosity about the intricacies of the universe and physics through his engaging and accessible writing style. He has been praised for his knack for conveying difficult scientific concepts through rich narratives and clear, uncomplicated language, thus inviting readers of varying science backgrounds to grasp and appreciate the world of physics.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England. Recognized for his revolutionary work with black holes and relativity, Hawking held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for thirty years, a prestigious role once occupied by Sir Isaac Newton. Despite his early diagnosis of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, at age 21, Hawking persevered, becoming a beacon of resilience and a voice of authority in the world of theoretical physics.

Best known to the public for his fascinating exploration of the cosmos in his bestselling publication, “A Brief History of Time”, Hawking made complex theories about space and time accessible to the everyday reader. His ability to articulate mind-bending scientific concepts in a digestible manner has endeared him to people across the globe. Other notable titles from his repertoire include “The Universe in a Nutshell” and “On the Shoulders of Giants.”

Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, leaving behind a profound scientific legacy that continues to inspire and shape understanding. His groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, coupled with his dedication to making science accessible to everyone, make Hawking a cherished figure in human history. His life and work serve as a testimony to the limitless potential of the human mind.