Hawking by Graham Farmelo review
A biography of the physicist recognises his achievements, but also reveals the selfish narcissist underneath
TL;DR
- Graham Farmelo's biography of Stephen Hawking provides a comprehensive account of his scientific brilliance and personal complexities.
- Hawking's major scientific contributions include his work on gravitational collapse, black holes, and the concept of Hawking radiation.
- The book suggests that Hawking's disability influenced the public and scientific community's perception, leading to an overindulgence of his personal flaws.
- Critical accounts from family and colleagues reveal Hawking's competitive, self-centered, and sometimes controlling behavior.
- Farmelo highlights Hawking's failure to adequately credit the work of other scientists, such as Roger Penrose and Jacob Bekenstein.
- The biography explores how Hawking's ambition and self-promotion were often prioritized over acknowledging the contributions of his peers.
- Despite his flaws, Hawking's resilience and intellectual fortitude enabled a remarkable career against immense odds.