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'Travelling to Infinity' is a moving and engaging memoir written by Stephen Hawking's first wife about the turbulent years of her marriage with the astro-physics genius, her traumatic divorce and their recent reconciliation.
From the number-one bestselling author of Travelling to Infinity: The True Story behind The Theory of EverythingIn 1930s Greater London, Shirley is a talented ballerina who dreams of becoming a principal dancer at the Sadler's Wells Ballet Company. Yet one summer, on the way back from staying with her grandparents in France, she meets a handsome young man, Alan, for a fleeting moment and her life changes for ever. Finding him becomes an obsession for Shirley and now she longs to fulfil her dreams in the ballet simply so that he might see her name in lights and know where to find her.With the outbreak of the Second World War, and those she loves in danger, Shirley's priority becomes to help in the war effort, but with Alan appearing once more in her life, and the war threatening to part them for a second time, she knows that she cannot cope if she were to lose him again.
Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the most famous and remarkable scientists of our age and the author of the scientific bestseller A Brief History of Time, which has sold more than 25 million copies. In this compelling memoir, his first wife, Jane Hawking, relates the inside story of their extraordinary marriage. As Stephen's academic renown soared, his body was collapsing under the assaults of a motor neuron disease. Jane's candid account of trying to balance his 24-hour care with the needs of their growing family reveals the inner strength of the author, while the self-evident character and achievements of her husband make for an incredible tale presented with unflinching honesty. Jane's...
In this exceptionally candid, poignant, often humorous memoir, Jane Hawking confronts not only the searing complexities and painful dilemmas of her first marriage, but the potentially corrosive effects of power generated by wealth and fame. But above all, this book is about the ultimate triumph of hope, optimism and love.
Jane Hawking, divorced wife of Professor Stephen Hawking and mother of his three children has written a memoir which relates the story of a marriage begun in optimism, despite facing the terrible odds of motor neurone disease, and of its gradual decline which became inescapably apparent as Hawking`s academic career and renown began to soar. Jane Hawking writes of her marriage and remembers the vigorous young man with whom she fell in love prior to the onset of his debilitating motor neurone disease. Moreover, she tells of the difficulties of looking after a wheelchair-bound husband and three small children - all demanding attention 24 hours a day. These experiences, coupled with the author`s evident inner-strength can offer inspiration to others faced with a similar family situation. The collapse of the high profile Hawking marriage, provoked by Stephen`s affair with a nurse, is related in honest detail and Jane`s recent re-marriage to an old family friend offers the hope of happy ending to a life of struggle and alienation.
The dramatic story of a man who stood at the center of British intelligence operations, the ultimate spymaster of World War Two: Thomas Kendrick Thomas Kendrick (1881–1972) was central to the British Secret Service from its beginnings through to the Second World War. Under the guise of "British Passport Officer," he ran spy networks across Europe, facilitated the escape of Austrian Jews, and later went on to set up the "M Room," a listening operation which elicited information of the same significance and scope as Bletchley Park. Yet the work of Kendrick, and its full significance, remains largely unknown. Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of this remarkable British intelligence officer. Kendrick’s life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself—he was one of the few men to serve Britain across three wars, two of which while working for the British Secret Service. Fry explores the private and public sides of Kendrick, revealing him to be the epitome of the "English gent"—easily able to charm those around him and scrupulously secretive.
Growing up in London in the aftermath of the Second World War, Ruth is an observant and thoughtful child who finds herself in a confusing and mysterious adult world. She seeks refuge in her memories of her idyllic stays with her grandparents in the picturesque East Anglian countryside – which provide comforting visions of a simpler life. As she comes to terms with her surroundings and her own adolescence, Ruth finds the motivation to pursue the tantalizing dream which has governed her childhood, and discovers some family secrets along the way. A coming-of-age novel about the unpredictable nature of human behaviour and about taking control of one's destiny, Silent Music is a timeless portrait of post-war Britain, as well as a lyrical paean to hope and aspiration.
Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in an internationally acclaimed masterpiece which begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time.
'His clarity, wit and determination are evident, his understand and good humour moving' New Scientist My Brief History recounts Stephen Hawking’s improbable journey, from his post-war London boyhood to his years of international acclaim and celebrity. Lavishly illustrated with rarely seen photographs, this concise, witty and candid account introduces readers to a Hawking rarely glimpsed in previous books: the inquisitive schoolboy whose classmates nicknamed him ‘Einstein’; the jokester who once placed a bet with a colleague over the existence of a black hole; and the young husband and father struggling to gain a foothold in the world of academia. Writing with characteristic humility an...