A Brief History of Time discussion

Hi if anyone has read A Brief history of Time I was wondering what your thoughts were on it? Mainly did you think it was easy to understand? I ask because I have read a few reviews on it that actually describe it as "very easy to read and understand" or at least a very comprehensive guide to an otherwise very challenging subject. My real question is did you think it was easy to read and understand? Because I did not. I had to concentrate very hard and ponder concepts for a while till I could understand them. Now I ask because I am very capable (I'm trying my hardest not to try and claim I'm smart like a douche) and so I'm running into a dissonance between these reviews saying it was easily comprehensive and my personal experience that it was extremely challenging. Part of me thinks those reviews are just from people who didn't actually understand what they read but just thought they did. So something doesn't add up, I guess that could be maybe I'm just not that smart after all! I don't personally think that is it though but curious for your thoughts

Hello! I found the book challenging as well, and I'm studying science (biology, but I enjoy reading about physics). My best advice is - get your own (particle) physicist! I found myself running with the book to my friend to explain this or that for me. It was really helpful and in the end, I think those discussions were the most illuminating. In my opinion, it's not meant to be read from cover to cover - unless you actually already understand the topic - but rather to spark the curiosity and interest which eventually guide you to further reading and discussions. :-)

The contents of this book are decades old. Stephen barely touched the tips of the theoretical intricacies that were being studied at the time of writing. Most of the topics are heavily discussed in science, even highschoolers nowadays can grasp the essential idea of the book. You just need to familiarise yourself with the vocabulary and look up the things you don't understand. Take note; understanding something from a book such as this does not merit any sort of appliance in anything really, this is really superficial and is only given as an introduction to the topics. Good luck.

Hi,
In regards to your question, the books was easy to read, in fact, the writer himself says at the introduction of his books that the content of the books is much easier to understand from the real research paper that is written in physics that related to the content of the book. He also added that he do not recommend for the readers who do not have that much of knowledge in Theoretical Physics to read those research papers because it is extremely terrifying and they are going to through the paper from the window (if it is a hard copy) as the first equation appears.

Ohh, I also recommend to stay focused while reading the book to make sure that you do not miss anything.

The only the disadvantage of that book is that the content is old; this book has been publishes ages ago.

Welcome