This is without doubt the definitive biography of Hawking, the uniquely brilliant theoretical physicist and the global superstar. With unprecedented access to archives, letters, and diaries, newly unearthed family details, and deep insights into Hawking's work, Farmelo has cemented his reputation as the very best science biographer of his generation -- Jim Al-Khalili
A triumphant success. Farmelo describes, in context, the insights that established Stephen Hawking as a great theorist. But of course it's the image of an imprisoned mind roaming the cosmos - an amazing triumph over adversity - that generated Stephen's global celebrity and inspired millions. He's fortunate that his official biographer writes with authority about the science, but also describes all aspects of an astonishingly full life with insight and sensitivity -- Martin Rees
An extremely impressive biography. It gives a very readable, detailed, and comprehensive account of the life and work of this most remarkable of men -- Roger Penrose
This is a compelling and deeply human biography of Stephen Hawking, capturing both the remarkable scientist and the complexity of the man. It offers rare insight into how theoretical physicists think and work, while also showing how Hawking lived with profound health challenges, sustained by family, nurses, friends, collaborators and his enduring fascination with physics. It brings to life not only Hawking's scientific imagination, but also the courage, humour and relationships that shaped his life -- Marika Taylor
The incredible life and science of a man who accepted no boundaries. (Only after reading this wonderful book will you understand the full meaning of the previous sentence.) -- Juan Maldacena