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A Brief History of Black Holes
- And Why Nearly Everything You Know About Them Is Wrong
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
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Summary
This audio edition is narrated with dazzling enthusiasm by the author, Dr Becky Smethurst.
Right now, you are orbiting a black hole.
The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Sun orbits the centre of the Milky Way: a supermassive black hole, the strangest and most misunderstood phenomenon in the galaxy.
In A Brief History of Black Holes, the award-winning University of Oxford researcher Dr Becky Smethurst charts five hundred years of scientific breakthroughs in astronomy and astrophysics. She takes us from the earliest observations of the universe and the collapse of massive stars, to the iconic first photographs of a black hole and her own published findings.
A cosmic tale of discovery, Becky explains why black holes aren’t really ‘black’, that you never ever want to be ‘spaghettified’, how black holes are more like sofa cushions than hoovers and why, beyond the event horizon, the future is a direction in space rather than in time. Told with humour and wisdom, this captivating book describes the secrets behind the most profound questions about our universe, all hidden inside black holes.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
'A jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop-culture references' – BBC Sky At Night Magazine
What listeners say about A Brief History of Black Holes
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- Joe
- 03-11-22
Excellent
This is the ultimate companion to the Super Massive Black Hole drinking game. Enjoy
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- Anonymous User
- 01-06-23
Loved it!
The author's excited voice made this book x100 better 😊 she should read books for a living
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- PaulC6230
- 12-05-23
Brilliantly Crafted
This was a brilliantly crafted audiobook about the Universe and Black Holes which was easily digestible for the layman. Becky has done some great work and this audiobook is something to be listened too if you enjoy things about Space, The Universe and Black Holes.
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- Adam McVeigh
- 03-09-22
THE CUTTING EDGE OF BLACK HOLE PHYSICS AND THE HISTORY OF THE SCIENCE IT IS BUILT ON, TOLD IN A CHARMING AND UNDERSTANDABLE WAY
An absolutely fantastic and fascinating book with just the perfect amount of technical jargon, humour and anecdotes. Whether you are looking for an introduction to black holes or just wanting a really well explained history from Galileo, to Einstein right up to Hawking or you are even a current undergraduate Physics student wanting some clarification on the methods in astronomy and astrophysics (as I am), this book has it all. I have recommended this to both my mum, as well as my university buddies! It truly is for anyone.
As an audiobook, Dr. Smethurst’s narration was sublime, with just the right pacing, slowing slightly in the “technical” areas which was greatly appreciated. If ever there was a perfect example in how a scientific book should be narrated, this is it. I listened to this book in a day, which is rare for a scientific story. I never felt overwhelmed with information but was always contemplating what was being talked about, my attention was always with the book!
I thank you Dr. Smethurst for this wonderful book, it was a joy to listen too and my only criticism is that it ended!
100% get this book!
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- Patrick Kerley
- 28-09-22
An absolutely magestic work
This book is incredibly fun and engaging, purely because Dr. Becky goes on tangents and makes extra comments and references to pop culture! It's more a conversation with a friend than it is an audiobook
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- Kevin T
- 09-09-22
I absolutely love this book!
After finishing Dr. Becky's book I came on here to write a review but first I read a few others. I think one must have thick skin to be an author because I couldn't believe the thankfully few negative reviews, all of which seem to have completely misunderstood the target audience. This isn't supposed to be a science paper or a grant application, it's a book designed to appeal to the widest possible spectrum and levels of science understanding in the readership and in my humble opinion Becky absolutely nails it. I understand that you can't please all the people all the time but come on!
Dr Becky's style is engaging, highly informative and charming and the use of the word charming is said in the full knowledge that I am in danger of falling foul of those on the woke train. I was charmed by the information, therefore it was charming :)
Unlike many science books from far more well known science popularisers, I found it hard to stop listening and I think her method of explaining complex concepts easily matches my other favourite science author and public figure, Brian Cox.
Thanks Dr Becky, I eagerly await your next book.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-05-23
wonderful story
a compøex Subject so structures and attractively presented. Nice to see academic with such capability. should be made a course at high schools
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-09-22
absolutely brilliant for all levels of knowledge
as always Dr Becky's abilities in science communication come through in leaps and bounds within the book and especially in her reading of it. she does not shy away from the in depth knowledge for the more advanced but also ensures those who have just a slight curiosity are not left behind.
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- Andy
- 14-06-23
Awesome
Recommended to anyone who has an interest in the stars.
Really enjoyed this book.
As Bond would say Aweshum.
;-)
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- Love Goats
- 29-04-23
A complex topic made engaging and accessible
Great book, delivered in Dr. Becky's typical enthusiastic style. A must for anyone who wants to better understand how our universe actually works.
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