When going through school, math and science were not my strongest subjects. I thought that I would never use either discipline, that they constituted busy work. As I have gotten older, I find myself drawn to both subjects through my interest in astronomy.
Ever since I looked at Jupiter and Saturn with a telescope, I have been fascinated by space and our place in it. I began devouring books on astronomy which were mostly introductory texts and general interest books about the stars and planets.
After a while, I wanted to read more in-depth content about space, so I gave Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time a try. My family had a copy tucked away in a bookshelf, but I had never been confident enough to try the physicist’s book on the origins of the universe. Until now.
Originally written in 1988, Hawking’s A Brief History of Time explores our perception of the universe, the concept of space and time, the mathematical possibility of black holes (which has since been proven), and the theoretical possibility of time travel with wormholes. At around 200 pages, the book is a quick, succinct read with an accessible writing style.
The book’s crowning achievement is how Hawking breaks down complex physical and scientific concepts and explains them in a way that anyone can understand. He explains complicated theoretical physics by providing clear analogies and vivid descriptions laden with humor and insight. As a reader, I never felt as if he was talking down to me; in fact, his inclusive style is a big reason why the book is a bestseller and one of my favorite books.
Reading A Brief History of Time has given me a deeper appreciation for math and science through astronomy. It has also inspired me to become a better teacher. While I may not be breaking down theoretical physics, I have become better at breaking down complicated concepts into manageable chunks that students can understand and learn. Being able to digest complex content into a readable format is a skill I am always trying to hone.
A Brief History of Time by