The Grand Design
by Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow holds a highly rated rating of 4.00 out of 5, based on 42.7K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 199 pages.
About The Grand Design
THE FIRST MAJOR WORK IN NEARLY A DECADE BY ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT THINKERS—A MARVELOUSLY CONCISE BOOK WITH NEW ANSWERS TO THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS OF LIFE When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the nature of reality? Why are the laws of nature so finely tuned as to allow for the existence of beings like ourselves? And, finally, is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? The most fundamental questions about the origins of the universe and of life itself, once the province of philosophy, now occupy the territory where scientists, philosophers, and theologians meet—if only to disagree. In their new book, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most recent scientific thinking about the mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by both brilliance and simplicity. In The Grand Design they explain that according to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history, but rather that every possible history of the universe exists simultaneously. When applied to the universe as a whole, this idea calls into question the very notion of cause and effect. But the “top-down” approach to cosmology that Hawking and Mlodinow describe would say that the fact that the past takes no definite form means that we create history by observing it, rather than that history creates us. The authors further explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the very early universe, and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature.Along the way Hawking and Mlodinow question the conventional concept of reality, posing a “model-dependent” theory of reality as the best we can hope to find. And they conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing us and our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a complete “theory of everything.” If confirmed, they write, it will be the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, and the ultimate triumph of human reason.A succinct, startling, and lavishly illustrated guide to discoveries that are altering our understanding and threatening some of our most cherished belief systems, The Grand Design is a book that will inform—and provoke—like no other.'
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 199 |
| Kindle Price | $9.99 |
| Genres | Science, Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, History |
| Average Rating | 4.00 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 42,687 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Grand Design?
The Grand Design is categorized as Science, Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality. Its primary genre classification is Philosophy.
Is The Grand Design worth reading?
Based on 42.7K reader ratings, The Grand Design has an average score of 4.00 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Grand Design?
The Grand Design has 199 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote The Grand Design?
The Grand Design was written by Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for The Grand Design?
The ISBN-13 for The Grand Design is 9780553805380.0.
How much does The Grand Design cost on Kindle?
The Grand Design is available on Kindle for $9.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
