130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Happy Long Weekend! We're open all 3 days! 📚 Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

On The Shoulders Of Giants

4.21 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 5,147 ratings, 83 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On The Shoulders Of Giants by Stephen Hawking explores the history and development of modern science through the lives and works of great scientists such as Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. It delves into their groundbreaking contributions and illustrates how their discoveries built the foundation for contemporary scientific thought. This insightful compilation provides a fascinating look into the evolution of scientific ideas and their impact on our understanding of the universe.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
Save 20% Off
Savings are calculated from our regular price of $59.99 compared to the current price of $48.00.
$4800
Usually:
$5999
On Sale
in Clearout Sale until 2 Nov or while stocks last
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the history of scientific thought and the brilliant minds that shaped our understanding of the universe. This book presents the groundbreaking works of great scientists, making complex ideas accessible and allowing readers to appreciate their profound impact on modern science.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

World-renowned physicist and bestselling author Stephen Hawking presents a revolutionary look at the momentous discoveries that changed our perception of the world with this first-ever compilation of

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking journey of scientific discovery with On the Shoulders of Giants by the esteemed physicist Stephen Hawking. This compelling compilation brings together seven pivotal works that have profoundly shaped our understanding of the universe. Through meticulously selected writings, Hawking presents an extraordinary chronicle of the great minds whose revolutionary ideas laid the foundations of modern physics and astronomy.

On the Shoulders of Giants offers readers a front-row seat to the evolution of scientific thought. With his unparalleled ability to elucidate complex concepts, Hawking introduces these seminal works with clarity and insight. This collection includes complete texts from the legends of science whose contributions have been instrumental in advancing human knowledge:

On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres by Nicolaus Copernicus explicates the heliocentric model of the solar system, challenging the long-held geocentric view.

Principia by Sir Isaac Newton lays the groundwork for classical mechanics, introducing the laws of motion and universal gravitation that still underpin much of modern physics.

The Principle of Relativity by Albert Einstein reshapes our understanding of space and time, culminating in the iconic equation E=mc2.

Dialogues Concerning Two Sciences by Galileo Galilei, with contributions from Alfonso De Salvio, presents key insights into kinematics and strength of materials through engaging dialogues.

Additionally, the collection features three profound works by Johannes Kepler: Mystery of the Cosmos, Harmony of the World, and Rudolphine Tables, each offering significant advancements in celestial mechanics and observation.

Hawking enriches each section with five critical essays that provide context and analysis, making these historic texts accessible to contemporary readers. Each featured scientist is the subject of a thoughtful biography penned by Hawking, offering deeper insight into their life, work, and enduring impact on science.

On the Shoulders of Giants is more than a mere collection of scientific texts; it is a tribute to the power of human curiosity and intellect. Hawking’s curation and commentary remind us that our current understanding stands firmly on the achievements of those who came before. This anthology is a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the cumulative nature of scientific endeavour.

Whether you are a student, a scientist, or simply a curious reader, On the Shoulders of Giants will inspire and enlighten, providing a remarkable perspective on humanity’s quest to understand the cosmos.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

On The Shoulders Of Giants by Stephen Hawking has been praised for providing a clear and expansive context to historical scientific works, making them accessible and engaging. The book is noted for its elegant simplicity, which effectively broadens the understanding of these significant contributions to science.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780762416981

Publisher: Running Press,U.S.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 December 2003

Country: United States

Imprint: Running Press Adult

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 63.0mm

Width: 151.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 1660g

Pages: 1280

About the Author

Stephen HawKing's ability to make science understandable and compelling to a lay audience was established with the publication of his first book, A Brief History of Time, which has sold nearly 10 million copies in 40 languages. Hawking has authored or participated in the creation of numerous other popular science books, including On the Shoulders of Giants and The Illustrated On the Shoulders of Giants.

Also by Stephen Hawking

View all
  • A Brief History Of Time
    A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking transcends the boundaries of traditional scientific literature to explore profound questions about our universe, presented with clarity and precision. In this landmark work, Hawking embarks on a remarkable journey through the cosmos, making complex concepts accessible and engaging to readers from all walks of life. The book begins with a historical overview...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Brief Answers to the Big Questions
    THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking is a profound exploration of the most compelling questions that have captivated humanity for centuries. As the renowned cosmologist and bestselling author of A Brief History of Time, Hawking leaves us with his final thoughts in this remarkable posthumous work. In this enlightening book, Hawking addresses...
    Paperback
    $2799
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    Backorder
    Ships late October
  • Unlocking the Universe
    The ultimate children's guide to the universe. A glorious scientific gaze at our world, and the universe beyond in a fact-filled volume that will keep curious kids occupied for ages - ReadItDaddy blog An excellent book that will do wonders to raise enthusiasm for science among young and old readers alike - Jonali Karmakar, Blogger Despite its scientific content the...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    19% off
    New Scientist: The Origin of (almost) Everything
    Introduction by Professor Stephen Hawking. When Edwin Hubble looked into his telescope in the 1920s, he was shocked to find that nearly all of the galaxies he could see were flying away from one another. If these galaxies had always been travelling, he reasoned, then they must, at some point, have been on top of one another. This discovery transformed...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Illustrated Brief History Of Time
    The Illustrated Brief History of Time by Professor Stephen Hawking is a beautiful and fully illustrated new edition of one of the most profound books on cosmology ever written. This book takes readers on an incredible journey through the mysteries of the universe, starting with the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein. It explores profound questions such...
    Hardback
    $6000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Grand Design
    The Grand Design, co-authored by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and acclaimed thinker Leonard Mlodinow, embarks on an ambitious quest to answer some of humanity's most profound questions. Delving deeply into the origins and workings of the universe, the book explores cutting-edge theories in physics that challenge traditional views and push the boundaries of our understanding. From the beginning of time...
    Paperback
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Will Artificial Intelligence Outsmart Us?
    Real science can be far stranger than science fiction, and much more satisfying. Will Artificial Intelligence Outsmart Us? Is there other intelligent life in the universe? Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. Will Artificial Intelligence Outsmart Us? considers the threat of artificial super-intelligence - as well as...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • On Sale
    16% off
    A Briefer History of Time
    In A Briefer History of Time, Stephen Hawking teams up with Leonard Mlodinow to offer readers a more accessible companion to his groundbreaking work, A Brief History of Time. This refined version revisits the profound mysteries of our universe in a manner that is easier to understand, aiming to reach even the most novice of science enthusiasts. Hawking and Mlodinow...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • You and the Universe
    A non-fiction picture book for curious minds ages 4-7, from the inspiring words of the most famous scientist of our times, Professor Stephen Hawking, with his daughter Lucy Hawking and the artwork of Xin Li. We are all time-travellers, journeying together into the future. Be brave. Be determined. Let's work together to make that future a place we want to...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Brief Answers to the Big Questions (Illustrated Edition)
    The million-copy bestseller now illustrated with over 200 full-colour images, illuminating the fascinating science of our universe like never before. 'A beautiful book by a brilliant mind' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'The best, most mind-bending sort of physics' THE TIMES The world-famous cosmologist and #1 bestselling author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the universe's...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • You and the Universe
    A non-fiction picture book for curious minds ages 4-7, from the inspiring words of the most famous scientist of our times, Professor Stephen Hawking, with his daughter Lucy Hawking and the artwork of Xin Li. We are all time-travellers, journeying together into the future. Be brave. Be determined. Let's work together to make that future a place we want to...
    Hardback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3200
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • George's Secret Key to the Universe
    The first in the global smash-hit George series written by Lucy Hawking and her father, Professor Stephen Hawking. Out-of-this-universe space adventures, plus exclusive, real-life information from the world's leading scientists - including Professor Hawking himself. Perfect for any curious mind. George's pet pig breaks through the fence into the garden next door - introducing him to his new neighbours: the...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Science & Nature

View all
  • Nuclear War
    The Sunday Times bestselling non-fiction thriller that has to be read to be believed. Baillie Gifford shortlisted, a favourite of Steven Bartlett, with an average reader rating of 4.6, sure to be a mass-market hit. Up to now, no one outside of official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Anxious Generation
    A powerful argument for reclaiming childhood—and all human relationships—from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spaces—communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Prisoners of Geography
    Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present, and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determine world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture. Originally published in 2015, this completely revised and updated edition brings it up to date with the events and trends of the past...
    Paperback
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Ultra-Processed People
    Launching the runaway bestseller with ambitions to be the biggest non-fiction paperback of the year IT'S NOT YOU. IT'S THE FOOD. "If you only read one diet or nutrition book in your life, make it this one" - Bee Wilson "You've got to get this book in your life . . . Completely compelling . . . Read a page...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Pokemon Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded 2024
    The essential guide to all things Pokémon, this year’s Encyclopedia includes all of the details of Ash Ketchum’s battle to become Pokémon World Champion! The new updated and expanded final edition of the Pokémon Encyclopedia! Ash Ketchum’s journey to becoming a Pokémon Master, and winner of the Masters Eight World Championships, has come to an end. Travel through all 8...
    Hardback
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Kitchen Confidential
    The classic bestseller from the star of Parts Unknown and No Reservations: 25th Anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Irvine Welsh. BEFORE THERE WAS THE BEAR, THERE WAS BOURDAIN. ‘Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino’ — A.A. Gill ‘Fantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli’ — Daily Telegraph After twenty-five years of sex,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Sapiens
    Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is an extraordinary exploration of humanity's history from the dawn of our species to the present day. Harari delves into our evolution, offering insights into the cognitive revolutions that allowed Homo sapiens to rise above other animal species. Traversing through various stages of human development, he examines the Agricultural Revolution, the unification of humankind through...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Talk
    A Harvard professor shows how we can become better talkers - and why effective conversation will help us all thrive. Conversation is at the heart of our relationships and decision-making, but the science behind our everyday interactions, and how to improve them, is little known. In Talk, Harvard Professor Alison Wood Brooks provides fascinating insights into the power of effective...
    Paperback
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Clean & Green
    Simple swaps and innovative ideas for cleaning and maintaining your home that won't cost the Earth. Learn how easy it is to make simple swaps in your cleaning and tidying methods for a more eco-friendly home. This beautifully illustrated black and white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that...
    Paperback
    $2999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    18% off
    The Genetic Book of the Dead
    From one of the world’s great science writers, a book that explores the deepest principles of evolutionary history. In this groundbreaking new approach to the evolution of all life, Richard Dawkins shows how the body, behaviour, and genes of every living creature can be read as a book – an archive of the worlds of its ancestors. A perfectly camouflaged...
    Hardback
    $4000
    Elsewhere:
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Coming Wave
    The instant Sunday Times bestseller from the ultimate AI insider - the only book you need to read on this subject. An Economist, Financial Times, Guardian, Prospect and Sunday Times Book of the Year Shortlisted for the FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year This is the only book you need to understand our new world - from the...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    14% off
    Breath
    Discover the transformative power of breathing in Breath by esteemed journalist James Nestor. This revolutionary book delves into the science and history of one of the most fundamental human activities - breathing. From the bustling streets of São Paulo to the serene temples of India, Nestor embarks on a global journey to uncover the secrets of ancient breathing techniques such...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.