I agree with Steve Parkes, and after (I think) four times thru BHT, can provide specifics. Hawking is unable to pass up the chance to throw in a "chestnut" whether it fits or not. Examples: the line about Johnson refuting the idealists by stubbing his own toe on a rock, and the one about God creating Hell for people who ask too many questions. They just derail the main presentation; he never goes back and picks up the pieces. Also, I realize the man is brilliant, but also Hawking is a little full of Hawking now and then. His thing about who said what on the nature of Black Holes gets a bit tendentious, I think. And to write on this subject with no mention of Lemaitre is a bit cavalier. I found "Dancing Wu Li Masters" much easier to learn from, myself. Also BHT is now actually out of date enough to need, e.g., Kip Thorne's "Black Holes & Time Warps: Einstein's Outrageous Legacy" as a sequel. First chap. of that is 'for kids' too.

CC