u003cbu003eu003ciu003eNEW YORK TIMES u003c/iu003eBESTSELLER - The world-famous cosmologist and author of u003ciu003eA Brief History of Timeu003c/iu003e leaves us with his final thoughts on the biggest questions facing humankind.u003cbru003eu003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003e"Hawking's parting gift to humanity . . . a book every thinking person worried about humanity's future should read."--NPRu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e Stephen Hawking was the most renowned scientist since Einstein, known both for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology and for his mischievous sense of humor. He educated millions of readers about the origins of the universe and the nature of black holes, and inspired millions more by defying a terrifying early prognosis of ALS, which originally gave him only two years to live. In later life he could communicate only by using a few facial muscles, but he continued to advance his field and serve as a revered voice on social and humanitarian issues. u003cpu003eHawking not only unraveled some of the universe's greatest mysteries but also believed science plays a critical role in fixing problems here on Earth. Now, as we face immense challenges on our planet--including climate change, the threat of nuclear war, and the development of artificial intelligence--he turns his attention to the most urgent issues facing us. u003cpu003e Will humanity survive? Should we colonize space? Does God exist? u200bu200bThese are just a few of the questions Hawking addresses in this wide-ranging, passionately argued final book from one of the greatest minds in history. u003cpu003e Featuring a foreword by Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar playing Stephen Hawking, an introduction by Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, and an afterword from Hawking's daughter, Lucy, u003ciu003eBrief Answers to the Big Questionsu003c/iu003e is a brilliant last message to the world. u003cpu003eu003cbu003ePraise for u003ciu003eBrief Answers to the Big Questionsu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "[Hawking is] a symbol of the soaring power of the human mind."u003cbu003e--u003ciu003eThe Washington Postu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "Hawking's final message to readers . . . is a hopeful one."u003cbu003e--CNNu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "Brisk, lucid peeks into the future of science and of humanity."u003cbu003eu003ciu003e--The Wall Street Journalu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "Hawking pulls no punches on subjects like machines taking over, the biggest threat to Earth, and the possibilities of intelligent life in space."u003cbu003eu003ciu003e--Quartzu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "Effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute and--where it matters--witty."u003cbu003eu003ciu003e--The Guardianu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e u003cpu003e "This beautiful little book is a fitting last twinkle from a new star in the firmament above."u003cbu003e--u003ciu003eThe Telegraphu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003e
