This “vivid and compelling account” ( The Wall Street Journal ) opens not only the inner workings of one of physics’ greatest minds, but also a view into an extraordinary friendship and the human capacity to overcome insurmountable challenges. A BEST SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR ( The Telegraph, The Guardian ) A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ( New Statesmen )   One of the most influential physicists of our time, Stephen Hawking changed our understanding of the cosmos. Recalling his nearly two decades as Hawking’s collaborator and friend, Leonard Mlodinow brings this complex man into focus in an inspiring and deeply intimate portrayal. We meet Hawking the genius, who explores the mysteries of the universe; Hawking the colleague, who’s able to communicate at only six words per minute but who punctuates his conversations with humor; and Hawking the friend, who can convey volumes with a frown, a smile, or simply a raised eyebrow. Mlodinow puts us in the room as Hawking indulges his passion for wine and curry, confides his feelings on love, death, and disability, and brilliantly grapples with the deepest questions of philosophy and science. This moving account of a friendship offers us invaluable lessons from one of physics’ greatest practitioners about life, the universe, and the ability to overcome daunting obstacles.