I just started reading Stephen Hawking's book "A Brief History of Time." I see this as a horological book, but when I searched the site to find a review or comments on this book, I did not find any. The book goes into the theory of relativity and the end of the concept of absolute time, since your perception of time depends on where you are in space, how fast you are moving and how fast other objects are moving, etc. So far, it makes sense to me but I am only on page 40. Interesting book and very thought provoking. Has anyone else read this one? Any comments or opinions?
I read this book some years ago. I thought it was a good overview and easily understood. While it was lacking in some of the more difficult to understand concepts and technical aspects, it was well written for the audience and brought the concepts to a large population that otherwise would have never took an interest. Some of the theories in the text are dated and have been replaced in the years since the book was written, but I still think it is informative and worth reading, especially for someone just beginning to study the field. If you are interested in the concepts go to Astronomy Cast and download a podcast.
I think it is Horology also, but I am not sure how many of our participants agree. I also think the relationships between biological clocks and the various natural clocks are part of the story. Maybe we could sponsor a Symposium sometime on the more general aspects of time. Feynman was one of the early James Arthur Lecturers. I suspect he did not talk about escapements.
I read this with much interest several years ago, but Hawkins came out with a better version in 2005. It's called "A Briefer History of Time," and is more easily understood, more concise but with illustrations, and generally updated. I recommend this book over the earlier version. Regards, Arthur
I also enjoyed "A Brief History of Time" many years ago. I, likewise, think it is very related to horology. I never picked up "A Briefer History of Time," thinking it may just be a reissue by "repackaging." I will now give it a look. Thanks Arthur.
"A Brief History of Time" spent quite a few weeks, surprisingly, on the NY Times bestseller list, along with weight loss cookbooks and bodice rippers. I was somewhat disappointed in the pedagogical prose, however- Hawkins is certainly no Feynman. Perhaps the second version corrected some of this.
