本书是完整详实的一本霍金传记，此书将霍金一生的事迹与深入浅出的理论交织描述，领导读者探索时间、空间与物质的终奥秘。通过面对面采访霍金的家人、亲近的朋友与同事，作者从霍金的童年时代才华乍现的早期，一直追踪到他成年后逐渐绽放令人赞叹的智慧之花。作者以亲切易读的口吻，按时间顺序记述了霍金在宇宙起源和宇宙早期历史研究方面所做的主要贡献。

直到前几年，许多人还把谈论地外文明当成科学幻想小说的专利。然而如今，它已是科学家们认真研究的严肃课题。关于地外文明的种种争论大大激发了人们的想象力，并增强了人类对自己这个文明的洞察力。
本书介绍了与地球外的生命相关的种种难解之谜。书中陈述事实，罗列证据，讨论由此引发的一大堆敏感问题。例如――火星上有生命吗？我们能不能找到它们？地球上的生命是如何产生的？决定其他星球上是否有生命的因素是什么？假如宇宙中有许许多多的文明，它们是否曾经来此访问，并对我们的发展产生过影响？还有一个时下变得颇为热门的话题，那就是：外星人是否正在探访我们？它们以什么方式来访？其目的又何在？……
本书融合了人类心理学、量子力学、相对论、遗传学、宇宙学、空间工程和达尔文进化论等领域的知识，生动地描述了地外文明探索的方方面面。读完本书后，您将会对“茫茫太空中人类孤独吗？”自行作出合乎逻辑的回答。

Now in its 9th edition, the completely updated and revised Sierra North showcases new trips and old favorites in regions such as Desolation Wilderness, Emigrant Wilderness, the proposed Castle Peak Wilderness, and the world-famous Yosemite National Park. This classic guidebook has been a trusted source for hikers for nearly 40 years, inspiring thousands to explore the Sierra Nevada, and to come back again and again. Contains 86 trips ranging in length from 2 to 11 days, now organized around major highway sections so that planning is easier than ever. Includes information on permits, day-by-day trail descriptions, GPS and elevation data, where to find water, and detailed trailhead maps showing routes for every trip. More than 150,000 copies of Sierra North have sold since it was first published in 1967.

Top Trails Lake Tahoe explores the best trails for hiking and biking in the Tahoe area, including the north side's splendid backcountry, the lake's sedate western side, the picturesque and popular areas south of the lake, including Desolation Wilderness and D. L. Bliss and Emerald Bay state parks and the relatively undeveloped eastern side. Several hikes follow sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Veteran author Mike White has selected the 50 best trips in the area, ranging in length from a mile-long stroll through a lush, lodgepole-lined meadow to a 19-mile trek on the Tahoe Rim Trail with excellent lake views. The second edition includes six new trails, including a hike among brilliant autumn colors in Hunter Creek canyon and a stroll to delightful picnic spots near turbulent 200-foot Cascade Falls. Part of the award-winning Top Trails series, which features elevation profiles, detailed maps, driving directions, and innovative "don't get lost" trail milestones. 1st edition sold 15,000 copies and won the Benjamin Franklin Award for travel guides.