{"product_id":"the-grand-design-9780553384666","title":"The Grand Design","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e#1 \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e BESTSELLER\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent \"grand design\" of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion--or does science offer another explanation? In this startling and lavishly illustrated book, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most recent scientific thinking about these and other abiding mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by brilliance and simplicity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAccording to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe, and show how quantum theory predicts the \"multiverse\"--the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the \u003ci\u003eonly\u003c\/i\u003e viable candidate for a \"theory of everything\" the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bantam\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/21\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780553384666\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 199\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.97lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.98h x 6.03w x 0.55d","brand":"Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36638758469788,"sku":"9780553384666","price":18.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_323ae9ed-5bbe-4dea-849c-4521e38bb249.jpg?v=1603848105","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-grand-design-9780553384666","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}