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A Brief History of Black Holes

And Why Nearly Everything You Know About Them Is Wrong

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A Brief History of Black Holes

By: Dr Becky Smethurst
Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
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About this listen

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.

©2022 Dr Rebecca Smethurst (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
Astronomy Cosmology Physics Black Hole Thought-Provoking Interstellar String Theory
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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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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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Awesome

Recommended to anyone who has an interest in the stars.
Really enjoyed this book.
As Bond would say Aweshum.
;-)

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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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Second book listened to from Dr Becky Smethurst

Loved this book from start to finish.as like Brian cox Dr Becky Smethurst really explains it so you understand more and I will be purchasing the book aswell will definitely listen to this again

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A great book

I liked the book a lot and how the author starts every chapter with the beginning of this specific scientific point. Some chapters were not really clear to me but I think the book worth to be re-read.

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Excellent

This is the ultimate companion to the Super Massive Black Hole drinking game. Enjoy

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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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Loved it!

The author's excited voice made this book x100 better 😊 she should read books for a living

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they are not a hole

I loved the content and the narrator, absolutely fantastic listening. full of so much detail, and yet delivered in such an engaging and humourous manner. added to some great pub quiz facts. I was left want more.....

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a grate person how can trech the untrechabale

she exspane so well . I ander stude wich is a mirackale in its self . good book

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