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What Is Inside a Black Hole?
'If you feel you are in a black hole, don't give up. There's a way out'What is inside a black hole?Is time travel possible?Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. In What Is Inside a Black Hole? Hawking takes us on a journey to the outer reaches of our imaginations, exploring the science of time travel and black holes.'The best most mind-bending sort of physics' The TimesBrief Answers, Big this stunning paperback series offers electrifying essays from one of the greatest minds of our age, taken from the original text of the No. 1 bestselling Brief Answers to the Big Questions.
- GenresScienceNonfictionPhysics
77 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
16 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Stephen W. Hawking
242 books12.8k followersStephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 22, 2022
The universe is weird...
April 19, 2023
My physics knowledge is nonexistent so that I even understood a shit was kind of cool. And the book was kinda cool:)
May 29, 2025
this was actually quite fun to read. like why did i feel like i actually understood theoretical and quantum physics for a moment. because i definitely do not.
February 10, 2023
Is time travel possible? It seems so ...
February 12, 2025
One of the most simply put but most efficiently explained books about time travel and black holes out there! It was such an enjoyable and educational read!
October 19, 2025
This is my third book from Stephen Hawking’s series, and it's the hardest one to grasp.
The book has two main parts:
(1) explains what a black hole actually is
(2) asks whether time travel is possible.
Hawking starts by tracing how scientists like John Michell, Einstein, Oppenheimer, and Wheeler helped us understand black holes — the space where gravity gets so strong that even light can’t escape. At the center is a singularity — a point where everything collapses into infinite density, and the laws of physics simply stop working. As an architect, I imagine that singularity as trying to fold an entire building — all its spaces, walls, and materials — into a single invisible dot. Everything breaks down. Space loses meaning. It’s impossible to picture.
Then Hawking shows how black holes aren’t completely black after all — they slowly leak energy, known as Hawking radiation, and can even fade away. He connects general relativity and quantum mechanics in a way that’s hard to fully grasp but still so fascinating.
The second part dives into time travel — whether it’s even possible. Relativity gives us the math for how time bends, but our universe isn’t warped enough to let us slip back into the past. Theoretically, wormholes could act like shortcuts through space-time, but creating or controlling one is still far beyond our reach.
And honestly, if you think I understood all this, I didn’t 😆. I’m more confused than ever and still can’t even imagine what a singularity looks like. Hope to get a better understanding of this beautiful universe.
The book has two main parts:
(1) explains what a black hole actually is
(2) asks whether time travel is possible.
Hawking starts by tracing how scientists like John Michell, Einstein, Oppenheimer, and Wheeler helped us understand black holes — the space where gravity gets so strong that even light can’t escape. At the center is a singularity — a point where everything collapses into infinite density, and the laws of physics simply stop working. As an architect, I imagine that singularity as trying to fold an entire building — all its spaces, walls, and materials — into a single invisible dot. Everything breaks down. Space loses meaning. It’s impossible to picture.
Then Hawking shows how black holes aren’t completely black after all — they slowly leak energy, known as Hawking radiation, and can even fade away. He connects general relativity and quantum mechanics in a way that’s hard to fully grasp but still so fascinating.
The second part dives into time travel — whether it’s even possible. Relativity gives us the math for how time bends, but our universe isn’t warped enough to let us slip back into the past. Theoretically, wormholes could act like shortcuts through space-time, but creating or controlling one is still far beyond our reach.
And honestly, if you think I understood all this, I didn’t 😆. I’m more confused than ever and still can’t even imagine what a singularity looks like. Hope to get a better understanding of this beautiful universe.
January 28, 2025
Дивна суміш наукових фактів рівня курсу астрономії старшої школи / наукових ютуберів та доволі складних математичних пояснень різних теорій щодо чорних дір. Якщо чесно, не дуже інформативно, краще почитайте "Коротку історію часу", якщо ще не читали.
Стівен Гокінг, як завжди, прекрасно та емпатично пояснює. Мені ДУЖЕ сподобалось його пояснення того, як двовимірні істоти можуть виявити ознаки існування третього виміру (штука про сферу та шари фарби). Це шикарне пояснення. Я давно намагаюсь розібратися із 5+ вимірами, та поки дуже важко. Оце пояснення щось розблокувало в моїй голові.
А от про подорожі в часі я не дуже зрозуміла логіку. Занадто стисло викладено. Було кумедно, як у відповідь на його перелічення гіпотез і теорій мені на думку спадали різні науково-фантастичні твори :) Наприклад, "Кінець вічності" (коли він пише "можливо.... можливо!! у істот з майбутнього є причини не подавати виду, що вони вміють подорожувати в часі" 😀 ) та "Машина часу" :) Ну і +100 за згадку "Інтерстеллара", але -200, що не розібрав детальніше логіку фільму.
мені дуже імпонує, як він обережно торкається релігійних тем в своїх книгах. анти-Докінз :)
Стівен Гокінг, як завжди, прекрасно та емпатично пояснює. Мені ДУЖЕ сподобалось його пояснення того, як двовимірні істоти можуть виявити ознаки існування третього виміру (штука про сферу та шари фарби). Це шикарне пояснення. Я давно намагаюсь розібратися із 5+ вимірами, та поки дуже важко. Оце пояснення щось розблокувало в моїй голові.
А от про подорожі в часі я не дуже зрозуміла логіку. Занадто стисло викладено. Було кумедно, як у відповідь на його перелічення гіпотез і теорій мені на думку спадали різні науково-фантастичні твори :) Наприклад, "Кінець вічності" (коли він пише "можливо.... можливо!! у істот з майбутнього є причини не подавати виду, що вони вміють подорожувати в часі" 😀 ) та "Машина часу" :) Ну і +100 за згадку "Інтерстеллара", але -200, що не розібрав детальніше логіку фільму.
мені дуже імпонує, як він обережно торкається релігійних тем в своїх книгах. анти-Докінз :)
February 1, 2025
I think after reading the first two books Hawkings was quite a breeze. It re-emphasized ideas I had read previously. Great read!! I like how he didn't dismiss any ideas he engaged with whether or not he agreed with them.
Physics book 3/52
Physics book 3/52
January 26, 2023
it's so funny it gives me a good laugh
July 22, 2023
Knowledgeable book!!!
Last line is amazing "But science fiction fans not lose heart, There's hope in string theory.
Last line is amazing "But science fiction fans not lose heart, There's hope in string theory.
August 3, 2024
Comprat a una llibreria de londres, un llibre de butxaca, resum de part d'un llibre més gran de Stephen hawking. Fàcil de llegir i comprensible.
November 22, 2025
Dumbed down some big things.
Fav quote:
“I’m pretty sceptical of conspiracy theories, as I believe that cock-up theory is more likely” - Stephen Hawking
Fav quote:
“I’m pretty sceptical of conspiracy theories, as I believe that cock-up theory is more likely” - Stephen Hawking
November 22, 2025
the universe is so vast and mysterious !!1!
cool book sauce👍
cool book sauce👍
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews