史蒂芬·霍金,科普名著《时间简史》和《果壳中的宇宙》的作者。这位当今最伟大的物理学家对自己首次为青少年撰写的这本书颇为自得,称“未见过类似的作品,该著作可能是独无二的”。书中描述了一个普通少年如何开始对科学感兴趣的故事。主人公乔治出生于一个非常重视环保的家庭,他的父亲认为科学技术危害地球环境而拒绝使用现代科技产品。在学校里,个性内向、衣着过时的乔治,经常受到同学的欺负,但乔治对科学的痴迷以及从科学中得到的乐趣,不但补偿了受欺辱带来的不快,还战胜了人性的阴暗。因为要到邻居家找回自己的猪,乔治偶然遇到了宇宙学家埃里克,在埃里克研制的超级电脑Cosmos协助下,乔治和埃里克的女儿安妮畅游太空,他们一起搭乘彗星造访木星、土星,并在小行星带遇险……他们比历史上任何一个探险家都走得更远。见过宇宙奇观之后,乔治意识到自己过去只在后院和猪混日子是多么乏味。此处作者引用了著名的爱尔兰作家奥斯卡·王尔德的话:“我们都在深沟中,但其中的一些人却在仰望星空。”这句话也适用于我们每一个人。本书语言充满了童趣。电脑Cosmos好耍小孩脾气,喜欢听表扬,但受到赞美时又会害羞得满面红光。被人责备时,会沮丧地说:“我要崩溃了。”安妮和所有的小女孩一样,喜欢浪漫的幻想,又不免将幻想和真实世界混淆,由此引起一些尴尬……更值得一提的是,书中还有好多可爱的插图,善良而勇敢的乔治、漂亮机灵的安妮以及爱耍小孩脾气的电脑Cosmos都栩栩如生,非常好玩儿。作者还通过乔治说出,当今世界环境受到严重破坏,必须在外太空寻找人类新家,保护地球和寻找新家二者必须并重。 Stephen Hawking, author of Popular Science, A Brief History of Time, and The Universe in the Nutshell. This greatest physicist of today is quite content with his book written for young people for the first time. He said that “there has never been a similar work, and this book may be unique.” The book describes how an ordinary boy begins to be interested in science. The hero George was born in a family that attaches great importance to environmental protection. His father believes that science and technology endanger the global environment and refuse to use modern technology products. In school, George, with his introverted and outdated personality, was often bullied by classmates. But George’s obsession with science and the pleasure he gained from science not only compensated for the unhappiness caused by bullying, but also defeated the darkness of human nature. Because he wanted to find his own pig at his neighbor’s house, George happened to meet the cosmologist Eric. With the help of Eric, a super computer developed by Eric, George and Eric’s daughter Anni travelled in space. They were together on a cometary visit. Jupiter, Saturn, and the asteroid belt are in distress... They have gone further than any other explorer in history. After seeing the wonders of the universe, George realized how boring he used to be in the backyard and hogging. The author quotes the famous Irish author Oscar Wilde: “We are all in the trenches, but some of them are looking at the stars.” This sentence also applies to each of us. The language of this book is full of playfulness. The computer Cosmos is a good kid and likes to hear praise, but when it is praised, it is shy and red. When reproached, she would say in frustration: “I’m going to collapse.” Anne, like all the little girls, likes romantic illusions, but also confuses illusions with the real world. What’s more, there are many lovely illustrations in the book. Good and brave George, beautiful and clever Anne and computer-friendly Cosmos are all very funny. The author also said through George that the environment of the world today is seriously damaged, and we must find a new human home in outer space. We must attach equal importance to protecting the earth and finding new homes.