Relativity, Richard Wolfson shows us, gave us a new sense of space and time, opening the door to questions about their flexible nature. Is the universe finite or infinite? Will it expand forever or eventually collapse in a "big crunch"? Is time travel possible? What goes on inside a black hole? How does gravity really work? These questions at the forefront of 21st-century physics are all rooted in the profound and sweeping vision of Albert Einstein's theory. Wolfson leads his readers on an intellectual journey that culminates in a universe made almost unimaginably rich by the principles that Einstein first discovered. Emphasizing the simplicity at the heart of the theory of relativity, he offers his readers clear scientific explanations and the historical and conceptual background of the theory.

Reviews

Wolfson, a physics professor at Middlebury College, takes the fear out of Einstein's relativity theory in this brisk piece of pop science. The author uses a tennis game on Venus and a cup of hot tea to elucidate the basics of relativity, i.e., that the laws of physics are the same regardless of one's state of motion. Wolfson's economy and his handiness with hip, offbeat examples make this slim book a mind-bendingly satisfying read. The author's tutorial on the history of physics reminds readers that all the big names up to the late 19th century-Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, etc.-were concerned with the question of motion, whether of celestial bodies, falling apples or waves of light. He then shows why it required a genius like Einstein to arrive at such a simple idea as relativity. The most well-known and seemingly counterintuitive consequence of Einstein's thought, which Wolfson renders perfectly sensible, is the notion that space and time are not absolute but instead relative to one's frame of reference. The author then addresses the problem of gravity in Einstein's theory, which led the German scientist to develop his general theory of relativity. For readers, this means warped and rippling spacetime, black holes, and expanding and parallel universes. Wolfson's economical and vivid tutorial should open doors for lay readers encountering Einstein's principles for the first time. His popular style, with a minimum of math, should make this a must-have book for Einstein buffs as well. 48 illus. (Nov.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

"[Wolfson's] account [of relativity] in Simply Einstein is head and shoulders above most, and is a good place to start." Marcus Chown, New Scientist

Many people think that Einstein's theory of relativity is over their heads, but Wolfson (physics, Middlebury Coll.) has proved them wrong. In a clear style, he spreads before his readers the historical and conceptual background of the theory, emphasizing its simplicity at every opportunity. He also offers beautifully clear explanations of such classic puzzles as the Twin Paradox. Perhaps it is this devotion to making Einstein accessible to the masses that leads to repetitive passages and commission of minor scientific errors (e.g., a nearly light-speed trip to the nearest star would take only a few days) that might grate on the more scientifically minded. Still, this is a strong overview for the lay reader with a grasp of high school math and a willingness to learn the mind-bending subject matter. More advanced readers may want to take advantage of the "Further Readings" section. Recommended for public and academic libraries and school libraries with collections for gifted students. [See also David Bodanis's E=mc : A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation.-Ed.]-Marcia R. Franklin, St. Paul, MN