Stephen Hawking: A Memoir of Friendship and Physics

　　除了你我熟知的物理學家外，史蒂芬．霍金更私人、充滿啟發的一面
　　來自與霍金合作多年的《大設計》共同作者曼羅迪諾

　　身為當代最具影響力的物理學家，史蒂芬．霍金為我們的生活帶來巨大的改變，然而揭開偉人面紗後，他又是怎麼樣的人呢？

　　與霍金相識近二十年的合作夥伴與摯友雷納．曼羅迪諾，在本書中，從不同角度，描繪出這位物理學巨擘最真摯樸實的樣貌：一位致力於找出宇宙解答的天才，提出劃時代的黑洞理論及嶄新的宇宙論，為後世開闢出一條認識宇宙的新徑；一位風趣的夥伴，儘管因病痛折磨而每分鐘只能講出六個單字，依舊努力精準又不失幽默地與大家溝通；以及一位溫暖的朋友，透過蹙額、微笑甚至挑眉來表達自我。

　　在本書中，我們看見霍金平凡的一面(原來他喜歡品酒、還喜歡咖哩)，與他對生命的感受，體會他面對愛情、死亡與殘疾的心境，我們更看見他對解開物理學難題的執著熱忱。曼羅迪諾以富含情感的視角，讓我們重新認識這一位改變世界的天才、不輕言放棄的生命鬥士。(文/博客來編譯)

　　An intimate and inspirational exploration of Stephen Hawking—the man, the friend, and the physicist.

　　One of the most influential physicists of our time, Stephen Hawking touched the lives of millions. Recalling his nearly two decades as Hawking’s collaborator and friends, Leonard Mlodinow brings this complex man into focus in a unique and deeply personal portrayal. We meet Hawking the genius, who ours his mind into uncovering the mysteries of the universe—ultimately formulating a pathbreaking theory of black holes that reignites the discipline of cosmology and paves the way for physicists to investigate the origins of the universe in completely new ways. We meet Hawking the colleagues, a man whose illness leaves him able to communicate at only six words per minute but who expends the effort to punctuate his conversations with humor. And we meet Hawking the friend, who can convey volumes with a frown, a smile, or simply a raised eyebrow.
 
　　Modinow puts us in the room as Hawking indulges his passion for wine and curry; shares his feelings on love, death, and disability; and grapples with deep questions of philosophy and physics. Whether depicting Hawking’s devotion to his work or demonstrating how he would make spur of the moment choices, such as punting on the River Cam (despite the risk the jaunt to posed), or spinning tales of Hawking defiantly urinating in the hedges outside a restaurant that doesn’t have a wheelchair accessible toilet, Mlodinow captures his indomitable spirit. This deeply affecting account of a friendship teaches us not just about the nature and practice of physics but also about life and the human capacity to overcome daunting obstacles.