Top 14 Books of Stephen Hawking [2025]
Stephen Hawking, the greatest physicist and cosmologist of our times, tried to explain some of the most complicated questions of life and the universe in the simplest way possible. Stephen Hawking has written many books that demonstrate the genius that he was. Below is the list of the top 14 books written by Stephen Hawking:
- A Brief History of Time ( Get this book )
- Brief Answers to the Big Questions ( Get this book )
- My Brief History ( Get this book )
- The Grand Design ( Get this book )
- Black Holes and Baby Universe and Other Essays ( Get this book )
- The Universe in a Nut Shel ( Get this book )
- God Created the Integers ( Get this book )
- On the Shoulders of Giants ( Get this book )
- Georges Secret Key to the Universe ( Get this book )
- Georgeās Cosmic Treasure Hunt ( Get this book )
- George and the Big Bang ( Get this book )
- The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe ( Get this book )
- George and the Unbreakable Code ( Get this book )
- George and the Blue Moon ( Get this book )
Let us discuss each of the Stephen Hawking books in detail, along with its key takeaways and reviews.
#1 - A Brief History of Time
From the Big Bang To Black Holes
Book Review:
The book is a bestseller and the first work of Stephen Hawking as a writer. In addition, he succeeded in writing a non-technical book on science and cosmology (the study of the universe) created for those non-technical readers. They need to gain basic scientific knowledge.
The book reveals the known facts about the origin of the universe, its structure and expansion, and eventual fate. As the title suggests, he writes about the Big Bang Theory, black holes, and other vital concepts like space and time.
Key Takeaways
- The universe is finite, and there was no beginning (contrary to the big bang theory).
- The universe was never created and cannot be destroyed.
- Time travel is not possible because time can only move forward.
- Understand the concepts of astrophysics in the most simplified way.
#2 - Brief Answers to the Big Questions
Book Review:
The book examines some of the universe's greatest mysteries. In addition, it promotes the vision of scientists that science is the most helpful medium to solve the problems on planet Earth.
The book is a collection of thoughts and writings of Stephen Hawking on the 10 big questions. He asks about the existence of God, the possibility of time travel, will artificial intelligence outsmart us (humans), and more.
Key Takeaways
- Find answers to the ābiggest questions for humankind.ā
- Theories of science are just models that study the past and predict the future.
- Observe a few predictions of Hawking about the future that considers the current state of science.
#3 - My Brief History
Book Review:
The book is the autobiography of Stephen Hawking. It accounts for the journey from his upbringing in London to his work on the evolutionary theories of the universe.
Key Takeaways
- Know about the most brilliant cosmologist of our age.
- Get motivated by exploring his life and work, even while he has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease.
#4 - The Grand Design
Book Review:
The book is an explanation of the M-theory of Dimensions. It describes that 2 and 5-dimensional objects called branes must be approximated by 11-dimensional supergravity at low energies. It also says that the Unified field theory (based on the early model of the universe by Albert Einstein) may not exist.
Key Takeaways
- The Big Bang is just a theory of physics.
- One canāt prove that God doesnāt exist, but science makes God unnecessary.
- Observe the history of scientific knowledge about the universe.
#5 - Black Holes and Baby Universe and Other Essays
Book Review:
As the title suggests, the book talks about the existence of black holes and their formation. It is a collection of essays and lectures written by Hawking. For example, Hawking said when spaceships and objects fall into a black hole, they go into a baby universe of their own.
Key Takeaways
- The baby universe exists in an imaginary time.
- Observe the thermodynamics of the black holes.
- Understand the relativity theory and quantum mechanics in the most simplified version.
#6 - The Universe in a Nutshell
Book Review:
The book is a sequel to the first book on our list, "A Brief History of Time." It talks about theoretical physics, the history of science, and the principles of modern physics.
Key Takeaways
- A simple explanation for Lucasian professorās work.
- Observe the outcome of combining Einstein's Relative Theory and Richard Feynman's idea of multiple histories into one unified theory.
#7 - God Created the Integers
Book Review:
The book is about the greatest mathematical works in the history of humanity. However, consider the term 'greatest' as a personal choice of Hawking. It provides brief excerpts from the original mathematical work of the geniuses of all times.
Key Takeaways
- Biographies of featured mathematicians and scientists.
- Know the work and discoveries of the mathematicians with full proof.
- The title comes from a quote by mathematician Leopold Kronecker, who said: āGod made the integers; all else is the work of man.ā
#8 - On the Shoulders of Giants
The Great Works of Physics and Astronomy
Book Review:
This book by Steven Hawking summarizes the greatest works of the āGiantā visionaries. He brings together the biggest discoveries and the world-changing inventions of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.
Key Takeaways
- The Heliocentric theory by Copernicus says that the Sun lies in the center of the universe, not the Earth.
- Mathematical principles of natural philosophy by Newton.
- The principle of relativity by Einstein.
- Galileo's discoveries in Physics.
- Kepler's theories and observations in astronomy.
#9 - Georges Secret Key to the Universe
Book Review:
The first of Steven Hawking's series of children's books. The book is a bible for kids interested in the science of space and time. It explains the complex scientific theory most lucidly.
Key Takeaways
- Raises enthusiasm for physics among young readers
- Learn astrophysics, cosmology, etc., in story format with spectacular photos.
- The story melds cosmology and adventure at higher levels.
#10 - Georgeās Cosmic Treasure Hunt
Book Review:
The second edition of the original 'George's Secret Key to the Universe.' It is the story of George and Annie, the middle school cosmologists. They return to solve a great mystery and undertake another great adventure, which leads them to the dark of space.
Key Takeaways
- Take an adventurous trip and explore the space.
- Learn space theories and concepts of gravity
- Find whether life is possible in outer space.
#11 - George and the Big Bang
About the book
This book is the third installment in the George series wherein Annie and George have to stop a group of anti-science protestors from disrupting the experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.
Book review
The book is a very good starting point into the world of Physics through a riveting plot. As a reader, you will be able to understand the universe's wonders uniquely and excitingly. Although the book is for children 9 to 12, people of all ages can read and enjoy the narration as it features several articles by Stephen Hawking and other eminent physicists about the universe's origin. The book ends with a 20-page graphic novel that explains the events of the Big Bang in reverse order. In short, this book has all the elements of really fascinating young adult fiction. However, the only flaw that one might find is that some of the scientific concepts explained in the book are quite advanced, even for an adult.
Key Takeaways
- It is primarily for kids from 5th grade and above.
- It is physics and astronomy explained in a way anyone can understand.
- The Big Bang theory explains in a fun and unique way.
#12 - The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe
About the book
As the title suggests, the book covers everything from the Big Bang to Black Holes to String Theory, a series of seven lectures by Stephen Hawking at Cambridge University.
Book review
The book takes you on a thrilling cosmological journey. The book is a compilation of seven lectures delivered by Hawking. He discussed various theories like the Big Bang, the theory of relativity, Quantum theory, Black Hole, Quantum Gravity, and String theory. All these theories are part of the proposed 'Unified Theory', which covers all the known scientific theories and is a plausible explanation of the universe's existence. Although all these theories might sound very complicated (which they are), the author has explained them very simply so that most people (if not everyone) can understand the underlying concepts and benefit from them. Further, he has avoided using complicated mathematical equations and kept the language simple and easy.
Key Takeaways
- It is a gem for people interested in the theories revolving around the universe's existence.
- It is a balanced blend of science and philosophy.
#13 - George and the Unbreakable Code
About the book
This book is the fourth installment in the George series. It illustrates how the invention of the quantum computer can result in catastrophic events if the technology falls into the wrong hands.
Book review
The book lands you in a world where all the computers are hacked. As a result, strange things happen ā banks are distributing free money, supermarkets are selling their products for free, etc. The author presents a different perspective on the invention of the quantum computer in terms of the possible implications if it falls into the wrong hands. The authors have stirred together all the elements of a gripping story ā action, drama, and humor. Another interesting aspect of the book is that it features several essays by some leading scientists, such as Dr. Tim Prestidge, Dr. Raymond Laflamme, etc., which are very informative.
Key Takeaways
- It is about a cyber-attack inflicted upon the human race.
- It offers the right mix of fictional and non-fictional information.
- It is best suited for kids from the secondary school level.
#14 - George and the Blue Moon
About the book
This book is the fifth installment in the George series. In this thrilling cosmological adventure, the protagonists try to stop their old nemesis from sending innocent humans onto the blue moon.
Book review
This book is a rollercoaster ride from the start to the end, which finishes with a cliffhanger. Many people find its storyline much better than its predecessors. The non-fictional part of the book offers lots of information about events that take place in real life, and it effortlessly fuses with the storyline to give a natural flow to the plot. You will become more and more intrigued by the book's content as you continue to read. The lucid narration of the authors, coupled with your imagination, can take you to exactly the right place. In short, it is an exciting story with lots of astronomy and space travel information provided by eminent astronauts and scientists.
Key Takeaways
- It is a great read for space enthusiasts as it explores many interesting space theories.
- It is a well-constructed book with lots of information and drama.
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