My Brief History

Name: My Brief History
ISBN: 9787535774408

Stephen William Hawking / 吴忠超Hunan Science & Technology Press · ChinaApr 2025

4.1

Word count: 36K words
Chapters: 15
ISBN: 9787535774408

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Summary

In My Brief History, Stephen Hawking gives a fleeting account of his journey from a postwar London boy to an international academic superstar. This concise, witty, and candid autobiography, illustrated with many rare photographs, offers readers a Hawking rarely seen in his previous books: the inquisitive schoolboy nicknamed Einstein by his classmates; the joker who once bet his colleagues on the existence of a special kind of black hole; the young husband and father fighting for a foothold in the worlds of physics and cosmology. With characteristic modesty and humor, Hawking discusses the challenges he faced after being diagnosed with ALS at age 21. Tracing his life as a thinker, he explains how the prospect of an early death drove him to one intellectual breakthrough after another, and also reflects on the origins of his masterpiece, A Brief History of Time, one of the landmark books of the 20th century.

Editor's review

My Brief History is the only official autobiography Stephen Hawking published in his lifetime, brought out by Hunan Science and Technology Press. It is not a conventional, chronologically exhaustive tome but a series of profound essays on the key moments of his life, the formation of his thought, and his scientific explorations. With his characteristic clarity, modesty, and humor, Hawking leads readers into his world: from his early studies at Oxford and Cambridge to the inner journey that followed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); from his groundbreaking research on black holes and the origins of the universe to the story behind the global bestselling success of A Brief History of Time. The book also offers a rare glimpse into his family life, his two marriages, and his ultimate reflections on life, death, and the fate of humanity.

As an editor, I believe the value of this book goes far beyond a record of a great scientist's life. What is most moving is how Hawking, with astonishing willpower, transcended the limits of his body and let his mind roam the deepest mysteries of the universe. He does not dwell on his illness; instead, he interweaves personal experience with scientific discovery, revealing the extraordinary power of reason united with humanity. The prose is plain yet full of sparks of wisdom, allowing ordinary readers to glimpse the grandeur of theoretical physics and draw profound inspiration about courage, curiosity, and perseverance. This book is the best entry point for understanding Hawking the man and his thought, and a precious spiritual legacy he left to the world.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Stephen Hawking's life and thought who wish to understand him beyond A Brief History of Time
Readers seeking spiritual strength and optimism in adversity
Enthusiasts of modern science history and the development of theoretical physics who prefer a personal narrative approach
Readers who appreciate a concise, humorous, and wise writing style

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a detailed, chronological traditional biography covering all of Hawking's life
Readers seeking in-depth explanations of professional physics theories or the latest popular cosmology

Reading tips

Read it alongside Hawking's A Brief History of Time to appreciate how his scientific thought and personal life intertwine
Pay attention to Hawking's candid reflections on topics such as disability, fame, and family; these passages are especially sincere and moving
There is no need to read it in one sitting; it suits leisurely reading in installments, savoring its humor and philosophical reflection

About the publisher

Hunan Science & Technology Press China · Founded in 1979

Hunan Science & Technology Press has long focused on science popularization and medical publishing, balancing academic depth with accessibility for general readers. Among the 462 titles in the database are Richard Feynman's classic lectures on QED, the nature of physical laws, and relativity in the "Approaching Feynman" series, as well as general-audience works such as George Gamow's One, Two, Three... Infinity and Sean Carroll's The Big Picture. Its paleontology and dinosaur list includes Gregory S. Paul's Princeton field guides and authors such as Xing Lida. Hermann Weyl's Symmetry further reflects the press's attention to classic works bridging science and the humanities. Overall, the publisher shows a clear author profile and an emphasis on illustrated, well-rounded science publishing across both translated and original titles.

版权信息
中文版序
第一章童年
第二章圣奥尔本斯
第三章牛津
第四章剑桥
第五章引力波
第六章大爆炸
第七章黑洞
第八章加州理工
第九章婚姻
第十章时间简史
第十一章时间旅行
第十二章虚时间
第十三章无边界

FAQ

How is this book different from A Brief History of Time?

A Brief History of Time is Hawking's popular cosmology book for general readers, whereas My Brief History is his personal autobiography, focusing on his life experiences, intellectual growth, and inner journey, with scientific content woven in as background; it is more personal and humanistic.

What is the length and reading difficulty of this book?

The book is moderate in length and the translation flows smoothly. Hawking's writing is clear, concise, and humorous, with no complex formulas or abstruse theoretical derivations; ordinary readers can easily understand and enjoy it.

Does the book touch on Hawking's private life?

Yes. In candid yet restrained prose, Hawking discusses his two marriages, his relationships with his children, and the impact of his illness on his personal life. These passages offer an important perspective for understanding his full personality, but they are not gossipy exposés; the tone remains dignified and reflective throughout.

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About the author

Stephen William Hawking Author · British · 1942–2018

Stephen Hawking was a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, born in Oxford in 1942 and died in Cambridge in 2018. From 1979 to 2009 he held the Lucasian Professorship of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, focusing on general relativity and black holes, and proposed the renowned theory of black-hole radiation known as Hawking radiation. He devoted himself to explaining frontier ideas in cosmology and physics to general readers, and his works are classified under popular science, inspirational growth, and biography. The collection includes 16 of his titles, among them A Brief History of Time and its popular edition and sequel, The Universe in a Nutshell, and several volumes in the First Push Book Series on space-time mysteries and the universe. His writing is known for clear explanation and grand vision, turning profound theories into narratives accessible to ordinary readers, and has had a broad influence on popular-science reading in the Chinese-speaking world.

吴忠超 Author

Wu Zhongchao is one of the translators closely associated with Stephen Hawking's works in the Chinese-language book market. Public information about him is limited, and no reliable records of his nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background are available. Five of his works are included in the collection: The Universe in a Nutshell, A Briefer History of Time, My Brief History, The Grand Design, and Black Holes: The BBC Reith Lectures. These titles focus on cosmology, black hole theory, and scientific biography, and are commonly categorized as popular science and biography. Judging from the subjects he has translated, he has long been involved in bringing Hawking's popular science books to Chinese readers. His translations strive to preserve the scientific logic and accessibility of the originals, making profound cosmological concepts approachable for general readers. These translations have circulated widely in Chinese popular science reading and have served as a bridge for the dissemination of Hawking's ideas in Chinese.