“The universe doesn’t allow perfection.”
If you were captivated by Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time, chances are you’re fascinated by the many mysteries of space, time and the cosmos. When it comes to the best books on theoretical physics, Hawking’s work takes some beating. Nevertheless, the realm of science writing is still rich with other incredible resources that are sure to capture your wonder and teach you something new. From explorations of quantum mechanics to meditations on our own place in the universe that blend science with philosophy, we here at What We Reading thought we would highlight some of our favourite books like A Brief History of Time that are both informative and accessible.
Cosmos – Carl Sagan
Kicking off our list of books like A Brief History of Time is Carl Sagan’s acclaimed astronomy book, Cosmos. Cosmos is the complete story of fifteen billion years worth of cosmic evolution, transforming matter and life into consciousness, of how science and civilisation evolved alongside one another and of the forces and individuals who have helped shape modern science.
Delivered with Sagan’s trademark ability to condense even the most advanced scientific concepts comprehensible and exciting, Cosmos won the Hugo Award for Best Non-Fiction Book and remains an absolute must-read in the field of cosmology.
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The Black Hole War: My Battle With Stephen Hawking To Make The World Safe For Quantum Mechanics – Leonard Susskind
What happens when something is pulled into a black hole? Four decades ago, a physicist named Stephen Hawking claimed that it would disappear and, in doing so, put at risk everything the science community knew about physics and the laws of the universe. Most scientists didn’t realise the import of Hawking’s claims. Yet, recognising the threat, Leonard Susskind and Gerard t’Hooft responded with a counterattack that changed the course of physics.
The Black Hole War is the natural sequel to A Brief History of Time, recounting the pair’s thrilling efforts to reconcile Hawking’s revolutionary theories with their own interpretations of reality. Efforts that would eventually result in Hawkings admitting he was wrong and duly paying up. The Black Hole War is a mind-bending and exhilarating read, whisking readers to the heart of modern physics, quantum mechanics, the fate of the stars and the deep mysteries of black holes.
Astrophysics For People In A Hurry – Neil deGrasse Tyson
A Goodreads Choice Award winner for Best Science & Technology, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson is the perfect book like A Brief History of Time for physics enthusiasts looking for a snappier read.
From the nature of space and time to how we fit into the universe and the universe into us, Tyson expertly brings the cosmos down to Earth concisely and clearly, presenting key concepts in astrophysics and infusing them with the sort of sparkling wit he has become so recognisable for.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, And The Quest For The Ultimate Theory – Brian Greene
Brian Greene is one of the world’s leading string theorists, and his book The Elegant Universe has long been hailed as one of the natural successors to A Brief History of Time. In it, he breaks down the mysteries surrounding string theory to unveil a universe consisting of eleven dimensions, where the fabric of space rips and repairs itself and all matter is generated by tiny loops of energy.
Today, physicists and mathematicians are working feverishly on one of the most ambitious theories ever proposed. A quest that eluded Einstein for over thirty years and, if accepted, would finally unite General Relativity and Quantum Theory. Through dazzling metaphors and analogies, Brian Greene and The Elegant Universe are able to make some of the most sophisticated concepts ever devised accessible and entertaining, bringing readers closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.
Why Does E=mc2? (And Why Should We Care?) – Brian Cox And Jeff Forshaw
E=mc2 is the most famous formula in all of science, but what does it actually mean? In their popular science book, Professors Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw embark on a journey to the frontier of twenty-first-century physics to unpack Einstein’s greatest legacy.
Why Does E=mc2 explains and simplifies notions of energy, mass and light, whilst also debunking some of the most commonly held misconceptions surrounding them. Along the way, readers are taken to the site of one of the largest scientific experiments ever conducted: the infamous Large Hadron Collider. This gigantic particle accelerator is capable of recreating the conditions that were present fractions of a second after the Big Bang, making this energetic and accessible introduction to the theory of relativity the perfect follow-up for any fans of A Brief History of Time.
Black Hole Blues And Other Songs From Outer Space – Janna Levin
In Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space, Professor Janna Levin delves into the fascinating stories of obsessions, aspirations and the trials of scientists and the startling discovery of gravitational waves, the only evidence of black hole collision. Levin traces how the idea of capturing the sound of ripples in space-time began as little more than a mad idea to how it grew to become a multi-billion dollar project with hundreds of scientists working underneath it.
Taking readers through all the politics, personalities and physics behind the quest, Black Hole Blues concludes with the incredible announcement that a gravitational wave produced by the crash of two black holes over a billion years ago would be passing right into the arms of the incredible Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory.
Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
From renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens is a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution that meditates on how biology and history have enhanced our understanding of what it means to be a ‘human’. Unlike most other books on evolution, Harari begins his history of humanity about 70,000 years ago, with the emergence of modern cognition.
From the role humans have played in shaping the global ecosystem to the rise of empires, Sapiens mixes history and science to reconsider accepted concepts and link past developments with contemporary concerns. Dr Harari also urges readers to look ahead, pointing out how human advancements have begun to bend the laws on natural selection and enable a world and species that are designed rather than survived.
The Order Of Time – Carlo Rovelli
Time is a mystery that confounds and fascinates all of us. Philosophers, artists and poets have long explored its meaning, whilst scientists have constantly found that its structure defies the simple intuition we have of it. Another one of the best books like A Brief History of Time, Carlo Rovelli goes from Boltzmann to quantum theory, and from Einstein to loop quantum gravity to explore how our understanding of time is constantly evolving in his book, The Order of Time.
With infectious enthusiasm, extraordinary charm and a sense of wonder, The Order of Time brings together science, philosophy and art attempts to unravel the mysteries of time, inviting readers to imagine a world where time is in us and we are not in time.
A Universe From Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing – Lawrence M. Krauss
Another book similar to A Brief History of Time nominated in the Goodreads Choice Awards, A Universe from Nothing is Lawrence Krauss’ view of how everything that exists came to be in the first place.
Featuring Krauss’ staggeringly beautiful experimental observations and jaw-dropping new theories, A Universe from Nothing demonstrates that not only can something arise from nothing, but that something will always arise from nothing. Delivered with his dry humour and clear explanations, readers are whisked back to the beginning of the beginning, presenting the most compelling and recent evidence of how our universe evolved, and the implications of how it is going to end.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
