New Hawking biography examines scientist's achievements alongside personal flaws
Graham Farmelo's book portrays Stephen Hawking as both a brilliant physicist and a flawed figure whose behavior was often overlooked because of his disability, according to a Guardian review.
A new biography of physicist Stephen Hawking by science writer Graham Farmelo offers what a Guardian review describes as a comprehensive portrait that acknowledges both his scientific achievements and previously underexamined personal flaws.
According to the review, published in The Guardian's Culture section, the book details what it characterizes as Hawking's "overweening ambition and self-promotion," his "repeated failure to acknowledge the work of others," and instances of sexism and controlling behavior.
The reviewer, who wrote an earlier unfavorable review of Hawking's posthumous 2018 essay collection, said New Scientist magazine had suppressed some of that criticism at the time, citing concerns it was "too early" to voice anything other than praise for the physicist, who died in March 2018 at age 76.
The review also referenced Charles Seife's 2021 book "Hawking Hawking," which reportedly examined allegations of bullying and self-aggrandizing behavior by Hawking. According to the reviewer, no British publisher would take on that earlier exposé at the time.
The reviewer argued that Hawking's personal conduct was "largely ignored because of his disability," suggesting that the scientific community and public may take years to fully process this aspect of his legacy alongside his scientific contributions.
Farmelo's biography is described in the review as accessible while still engaging seriously with the complexities of Hawking's character and career.
Sources
- Hawking by Graham Farmelo review – the dark side of genius — The Guardian — Culture
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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