Based on Stephen Hawking's best selling book "A Brief History of Time," this is a set of 6, 1 hour shows that were originally aired on PBS. Interviews with some of the top researchers in the world (including Hawking) are weaved together to tell a history of cosmological thought from the early astronomers to the ideas on the forefront of scientific theory today. Some of the historical figures covered include Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Hubble, Curie, Einstein and some of the topics include the Big Bang Theory, the history of chemistry, the periodic table, the laws of physics, the theory of relativity, antimatter, neutrinos, black holes, alien communications and string theory.
If you are looking to learn about scientific history or ready for a refresher and have 6 hours to spend, I would recommend this set. It is delivered in a fairly straightforward manner and doesn't have much in the way of special effects, so don't expect to be dazzled and entertained by animated protons and neutrons buzzing around the nucleus of an atom. Instead, expect engaging interviews with some of the top minds in scientific research recounting the history of science as well as their theories for the future. However, since this series is from 1997, one of the main candidates for a "theory of everything," string theory, is only touched upon. If you want more up to date information on that particular theory, I recommend "The Elegant Universe" which is based on Brian Greene's book of the same name. Overall, this is a great, relatively short, history of science.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Stephen Hawking
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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