When you’re looking for a Stephen Hawking book to read, you’re going to encounter a problem: the man published a lot of writing. In fact, some sources attribute over 200 published works to him, including his bestselling popular science physics books, transcribed debates, lectures, and interviews, children’s novels co-authored with his daughter Lucy, and even a series of anthologies made up of work by other great minds that he compiled and published.
In this post, we aim to simplify your choice by presenting, Stephen Hawking’s key popular science nonfiction books in chronological order. After a lot of research, we’ve found that the topics of his lectures are covered extensively in these books already, so we’ve narrowed it down to seven essential books we recommend you start with.
This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using links on this page, we might earn a commission.
Stephen Hawking’s 7 Best Books in Chronological Order
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Published in 1988
A Brief History of Time is Stephen Hawking’s most popular and well-known book, simplifying cosmology’s biggest puzzles: How did the universe begin? This landmark volume dives into black holes, the Big Bang, and the “arrows of time.”
An illustrated edition of A Brief History of Time exists, and it makes an excellent coffee table book, especially if you can get your hands on a copy with this cover.
Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays by Stephen Hawking
Published in 1993
This collection of thirteen extraordinary essays and an interview offers a deeper look at the universe’s mysteries and the brilliant mind of Hawking himself. Building on A Brief History of Time, Hawking explores ideas like imaginary time and how black holes can spawn baby universes, all while pursuing the elusive complete unified theory.
The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
Published in 2001
In this sequel to A Brief History of Time, Hawking dives into major modern breakthroughs like M-theory, superstrings, and multi-dimensional space. He uses his trademark clarity and wit to guide readers through the cutting edge of theoretical physics, explaining complex topics in the ongoing search for a Theory of Everything.
A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Published in 2005
A Briefer History of Time is an updated and highly accessible version of Hawking’s original classic, co-authored with Leonard Mlodinow. It removes complex mathematics while expanding on key concepts like relativity and quantum theory, incorporating the latest developments in string theory. Enhanced with full-color illustrations, this version is designed to make the secrets of space and time even more understandable for non-scientists.
The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking & Leonard Mlodinow
Published in 2010
Co-authored with Leonard Mlodinow, The Grand Design offers startling new answers to life’s ultimate questions: Why does the universe exist? The authors explore quantum theory and its implications, including the multiverse concept and model-dependent reality. They ultimately present M-theory as the most promising candidate for a Theory of Everything, concluding that science, not a benevolent creator, set the cosmos in motion.
My Brief History by Stephen Hawking
Published in 2013
For the first time, the brilliant cosmologist turns his gaze inward in this concise, witty memoir detailing his intellectual and personal evolution. Hawking recounts his journey from a postwar London boyhood to global celebrity, sharing rarely seen photographs and candidly discussing his ALS diagnosis at age twenty-one. This intimate account reveals the jokester, the inquisitive schoolboy, and the mindset that led to A Brief History of Time.
Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
Published in 2018
This posthumously published book compiles Stephen Hawking’s final thoughts on the major questions facing humanity, ranging beyond theoretical physics. Addressing topics like God, the future of the human race, and the possibility of other intelligent life, this volume provides his personal and often provocative views on our greatest challenges. Each section is introduced by a leading thinker, celebrating his ability to make complex concepts accessible.
Choosing your first (or next) Stephen Hawking book can feel like staring up at the cosmos, but we hope this chronological guide to his popular science books has simplified your launch.
Whether you start with the landmark accessibility of A Brief History of Time, dive into the cutting-edge physics of The Grand Design, or seek personal insight in his final work, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable intellectual journey.
Hawking’s real genius was not just in solving the universe’s puzzles, but in making us all feel capable of understanding them. So pick a book, settle in, and prepare to have your perspective on the universe fundamentally altered.
Happy reading!
