I really wanted to like this book more because black holes are so fascinating to me! But I did feel like this book wasn't the friendliest to people like me who don't know all that much about science, failed physics, and haven't done more than calculate change in years. There was a lot of math and jargon that I thought I understood and then very much realized I probably didn't. It's also written for a British audience so even when the author tried to use sports to make it easier to understand, as an American, I still had no idea what he was talking about

So many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This was such a challenge to get through... but I did! This is not for a general science reader. Significant prior reading/education is needed prior. Highly recommend for those with those qualifications.

BLACK HOLES by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is subtitled "The Key to Understanding the Universe." Cox, a Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester, and Forshaw, a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Manchester, have been collaborating for over a decade. In their latest, they begin with a brief history of black holes, explaining, "Black holes lie where the most massive stars used to shine, at the centres of galaxies and at the edge of our current understanding." Reminding readers that "these absurd things are real," Cox and Forshaw note that "our theoretical voyage takes us along ever stranger paths into ever more tangled intellectual terrain." And, indeed, their text is quite detailed and scientific which may pose challenges for our students. In addition to references, there is an extensive index and some additional explanatory notes.

I request just about every book on NetGalley that covers topics in astrophysics, even though the field doesn't chagne that fast and many titles strike me as oversimplified. I'm glad I requested this one, because it's a sleeper. It started off very basic, simple enough for most educated readers to follow along, but around 30% it really got into the science of black holes and the space around them. It was a very pleasant surprise, as I found myself working hard to keep up with the author as he took Penrose diagrams in a new direction, and explosed the Information Paradox and other black hole basics in new ways. He ended on a high note, taking the Holographic Principle to new and surprising heights. Highly recommended for educated readers who can kepe up with a little hard science that hasn't been overly diluted for general consumption.

t’s always tempting to bask in the self-congratulatory delusion that if I just really concentrate on something hard enough I’d be able to understand it. But this book proved me wrong from the very first spacetime Penrose diagram that slowly sent my protesting brain over the event horizon and to the singularity while being simultaneously vaporized and spaghettified.

I suppose owning a “Schrödinger’s cat: Wanted dead and alive” t-shirt didn’t actually qualify me to understand this book (although it certainly increased my nerd cred).

And yet I enjoyed it even if a lot of it sailed right over my head, probably at the speed of light, quantumly. The authors are clearly very excited about black holes and did their best to be accessible, and it’s not their fault that when it comes to information of Mona Lisa level my brain gets stuck in an equivalent of a clumsy sidewalk chalk drawing by an overexcited toddler.

But the things that I did understand were quite fascinating, although my brain slid off a few pages that gave me a flashback to a college physics textbook that may have caused a few nightmares a couple of decades ago.

I would advise a bit of a science background and perhaps a few other easier books in the subject first if you want to get the most out of this book, but if you don’t mind a bit of challenge and denser stuff flying over your non-physicist head then like me, you can brave it, and maybe you’ll like it, too.

3.5 stars.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested the arc of Black Holes by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw because I am COMPLETELY OBSESSED with the concept of black holes. They are simultaneously fascinating and terrifying, so as soon I saw this book I hit request as quickly as possible. I was SO EXCITED when I saw that my request was approved. I was nervous at first thinking this book would go over my head (and some parts definitely did-hell quantum entanglement!), but black holes are inherently just so hard to comprehend that a lay person like myself will have difficulty grasping the idea of what these beasts are.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of outer space, black holes, mysterious of the universe, etc. I wouldn't say it's a "beginner's/intro" book, but still a book you should pick up because the authors really do a fantastic job at breaking down/explaining black holes as simply as humanly possible. I will absolutely be purchasing a hard copy version of this when it is available next month. I look forward to more books from them and I will be thrilled to have this in my personal library.

4.75/5 stars. Absolutely fantasic, in-depth and the passion for black holes really seeps through every page. A++++

"Black Holes" by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is a comprehensive and engaging read for anyone curious about the mysterious phenomenon of black holes. The authors expertly explain complex concepts in simple language and delve into the latest research and discoveries in the field. With stunning illustrations and insightful analogies, the book takes readers on a journey through the universe, exploring the formation and behavior of black holes. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in astronomy and the wonders of the cosmos. The authors' passion for the subject is evident in every page and makes for a captivating and educational read. Overall, "Black Holes" is a great introduction to the topic and a fascinating read for both science enthusiasts and general readers alike.

Prerequisites: a strong understanding of diagrams and willingness to reread confusing passages.

This would be a wonderful textbook for an undergraduate class on black holes. In fact, textbook writers should read this book to figure out how to write a good textbook. Unfortunately, this is not marketed as a textbook. As a pop science book, not so successful.

I'm not sure who the audience is meant to be for this book, but to me it reads like a textbook. I think it's for physicists rather than lay people. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I was very excited when I started reading this book and made it through the first two chapters. But after that it was very tough going. I’m not sure who the book is for. Although clearly written with good illustrations I fear it is too technical for the layman reader (at least it was for me),