"This sumptuously illustrated celebration of Hawking’s life captures perfectly its depth and breadth." - Marcus Chown

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A behind-the-scenes tour of the inner sanctum of one of the world’s most prominent scientific thinkers.

In 2021, The Science Museum made a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition of the contents of Stephen Hawking’s office. This book delves into that remarkable collection, using the seminal papers, items, and curiosities in his office to explain his theories and reveal more about one of the greatest minds in modern science. It’s an unprecedented glimpse into the life of the best-known scientist of modern times.

Artifacts include:

A Simpsons bomber jacket gifted to him following his appearance on the show
A copy of Hawking’s PhD thesis: Properties of an Expanding Universe
Singularities and the Geometry of Space, written at the beginning of his vital collaboration with Roger Penrose
His blackboard, where he debated ideas and doodled with his contemporaries
Scientific bets made with colleagues to prove (and sometimes disprove) his theories
His Permobil F3 wheelchair and communications systems
Hawking’s Franklin medal and his CBE


"In this unique book, Roger Highfield's clear expositions of Stephen Hawking's ideas are supplemented by fascinating illustrations that convey how he lived and worked. It's a beautifully-presented celebration of Stephen's amazing life – how his insights and discoveries were achieved against heavy odds."

- Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow and Astronomer Royal