The Shortest History of Time

The Shortest History of Time — more than a lengthy commentary on the complex concepts and theories described in the legendary A Brief History of Time. The authors, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, after 17 years, having changed much in astrophysics, look at eternal questions with a new perspective: on the nature of space and time, the role of God in the creation of the world, on the past and future of the Universe. Data obtained from astronomical observatories, space telescopes, and physical laboratories have become a solid foundation for theoretical physics, which for several decades has fought for a coherent, unified field theory that should combine all known types of interactions. According to many, this is string theory, the principles and consequences of which are expansively interpreted by Professors Hawking and Mlodinow. Dark matter and dark energy, of which we know only through gravitational effects, time travel, which the authors believe should not yet be wagered on — all of this has come into focus for them. The book clarifies the most complex puzzles and sharp contradictions that are being resolved at the forefront of the science of the Universe. The edition contains 37 illustrations that complement and enhance the text.