"…FOR THEN WE WOULD KNOW THE MIND OF GOD": FIRST EDITION OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME

HAWKING, Stephen. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. London: Bantam Books, (1988). Octavo, original blue paper boards, original dust jacket. $2000.

First edition, first British issue, of Hawking’s popular treatment of quantum physics.

Although his editor cautioned Hawking that every equation included in the text would cut the book's readership in half, this "jaunty overview of key cosmological ideas, past and present—including multidimensional space, the inflationary universe and the cosmic fates that may befall us" (New York Times) quickly established itself as a landmark of modern popular science writing. "If all physicists could explain their work as well as Stephen Hawking explained black holes in his 1988 bestseller… science writers would have to find other work" (Andrew Grant). Published simultaneously with American first issue.

Book with small mark to front endpaper, otherwise in fine condition; in a near-fine dust jacket with slight wear to front corners. A bright, clean copy.