Readers worldwide have come to know the work of stephen hawking through his phenomenal bestseller a brief history of time now in his first collection of essays and other pieces - on subjects that range from warmly personal to the wholly scientific- stephen hawking is revelaed varioulsy as the scientist, the man, the concerned world citizen, and - as always - the rigourous and imaginative thinker whether he is remebering his first experience of nursery school; puncturing the arrogance of those who think science can best be understood only by other scientists and should be left to them; exploring the origins and the future of the universe; or reflecting on the phenomenon of a brief history of time, stephens wit, directness of style and absence of pomp are vital characteristics at all times.