A book recommended to me and I'm currently

[sandrajo]

"TRYING" to read is 'A brief History of time- By Stephen Hawkins' and it's not sinking in very well....I'm so interested in learning about the universe and where we came from but this book is so hard to understand. (for a learner like me anyway) Can anyone recommend another read a bit on the lighter side (not in weight) and easier to take in. I do find Hawkins a fascinating man.

[Tom Braider]

Try Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything" - you'll learn a lot and laugh, too.

[keyplus90]

Read Quran with open mind. Without thinking that it is a religiouse book, You would all of the answers.

[keyplus90]

You would get all of the answers. Sorry

[Octavius]

You could try 'A Briefer History of Time' by the same author. an updated version intended for a wider audience - lightly edited for easier reading.

[rojash]

I would go with Tom's suggestion - having read both of the Hawkings books, and Bill Bryson's, I thought that the Bryson was a far more entertaining read, and more comprehensive (and comprehensible).

[Davethedog]

Given that the Quran is a religious book and therefore full of superstions and myths.

Where do the answers come from?

[keyplus90]

Given that the Quran is a religious book and therefore full of superstions and myths.

Where do the answers come from?

What is the definition of superstitions? Any thing which human can not understand. Does that mean these things do not exist.

[sandrajo]

Thanks : )

I think the person may of been pulling my leg recommending A Brief History of Time...it's a very heavy read for a learner lol.

[R1Geezer]

ABHOT is the easiest book to understand on this subject, that';s why it is so popular, the illustrated version is a bit easier to grasp. Oh and it's "Hawking". What are you having trouble with? We are all geniuses on ere you know!

[sandrajo]

"Oh I do beg your pardon", R1Geezer; Stephen Hawkings : )

To be honest I'm having trouble with the whole lot of it lol, but i'll get there, when something interests me i'll stick at it. : )

[WaldoMcFroog]

The truth is that most people who have ABHOT have never finished it. Hawking's an undoubted genuis, but not always the best writer and there are definitely better books for the lay person. Brian Green's "The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality" is much better written - you'll probably finish it and it covers much of the same ground.

[sandrajo]

Thanks, I've noted all books and I'll visit the library tomorrow. : )

[Octavius]

You could always watch the film ABHOT, although people tell me its not as good as the book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brief-History-Time-Ste phen-Hawking/dp/B000JMKAAY

[sandrajo]

Thanks Octavius but that's the book I've got.

[sandrajo]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm really enjoying this book "A briefer history of time" I'm definitely understanding it a bit better and it has 38 colour pictures...LOL

Do you think Stephen Hawkings believes in God?

[Tom Braider]

Depends what you mean by God. I'm pretty sure H doesn't believe in the Jewish/Christian/Muslim god, or any of the Hindu gods, etc, etc. He might, as many people do, use the word "god" (or "the mind of god" as shorthand for "all the stuff we don't understand about the universe".

[sandrajo]

Seemingly he believes something else is out there tho:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080421/ap_ ... _hawking_3

Famed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has been thinking a lot about the cosmic question, "Are we alone?" The answer is probably not, he says.
If there is life elsewhere in the universe, Hawking asks why haven't we stumbled onto some alien broadcasts in space, maybe something like "alien quiz shows?"