Quantum Physics, Made Simple and AccessibleAre you curious about the quantum world but overwhelmed by tough words and complex equations? Make this your first book on quantum—your guide to understanding the universe’s most mysterious topics, from waves and light to space, nature, and even consciousness!I promise to break down quantum physics into bite-sized, engaging explanations that make learning feel natural. Through real-life analogies, stories of the great physicists who paved the way, and simplified terms, you’ll soon unlock the secrets of light, entanglement, waves, and much more.Inside the Book, You’ll FindThe Giants of Science – Meet the icons of modern physics, from Einstein to Bohr, and dive into the fierce debates, groundbreaking discoveries, and unique perspectives that shaped the field.Key Principles – Unlock five basics of quantum physics, from the mind-bending wave-particle duality to the intrigue of the uncertainty principle.Major Theories – Explore the biggest concepts in quantum, including entanglement, Schrödinger’s Cat, superposition, and more.Experiments – Discover the pivotal experiments that shaped quantum theory, such as the famous double-slit experiment and the eye-opening photoelectric effect.Everyday Items – Watch quantum physics in action—from GPS navigation and X-ray machines to lasers and smartphones—explore emerging applications in quantum computing and cryptography.I cover all this and more, without the intimidating equations or engineering blueprints—just clear, easy-to-understand descriptions. Get your copy now and leap into the possibilities of quantum mechanics, from nuclear fusion to bending time, teleporting data, and even quantum supremacy.If the Law of Attraction really works for me, you’ll scroll up and click the BUY NOW button—and then tell every school to make this book mandatory reading! But if you’re still on the fence, check out the exclusive extras that come with your book purchase.Includes 7 Exclusive DownloadsIncluding but not limited to:The Theory of Relativity by Albert EinsteinEight Lectures delivered at Columbia by Max PlanckThe Nature of the Physical World by Sir Arthur Stanley EddingtonExpanded Quantum Glossary with hundreds of beginner-friendly definitionsAND MORE!Big Ideas, Simply ExplainedSo, whether you're an aspiring scientist, a tech enthusiast ready for the next big thing, or a curious mind eager to explore nature and philosophy, this book is your best non-scientist introduction to quantum mechanics. Order your copy now and join the ranks of modern science! Read more

How is faster-than-light related to back-in-time?Albert Einstein knew already in the early 1900s, when he first published his famous paper about the constancy of the speed of light, that not only did this constancy imply that mass contains energy (E = m c squared), but that faster-than-light motion could lead to paradoxes -- some that seemed to involve backwards time travel.What are these paradoxes? Why is light and its speed relevant? This book will lead you through an obstacle course of conundrums and oddities, building up your understanding of how light's speed creates simple but mind-expanding paradoxes -- one conceptual riddle at a time.This is not your average popular science book. This is also not a textbook. This book takes one theme -- the universally constant speed of light -- and shows how it may appear compromised on scales from the quantum mechanics of the very small to the cosmology of the very large, and the resulting surprising implications can result. Read more

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“Most appealing... technical accuracy and lightness of tone... Impeccable.”—Wall Street Journal“A porthole into another world.”—Scientific American“Brings science dissemination to a new level.”—ScienceThe most trusted explainer of the most mind-boggling concepts pulls back the veil of mystery that has too long cloaked the most valuable building blocks of modern science. Sean Carroll, with his genius for making complex notions entertaining, presents in his uniquely lucid voice the fundamental ideas informing the modern physics of reality.   Physics offers deep insights into the workings of the universe but those insights come in the form of equations that often look like gobbledygook. Sean Carroll shows that they are really like meaningful poems that can help us fly over sierras to discover a miraculous multidimensional landscape alive with radiant giants, warped space-time, and bewilderingly powerful forces. High school calculus is itself a centuries-old marvel as worthy of our gaze as the Mona Lisa. And it may come as a surprise the extent to which all our most cutting-edge ideas about black holes are built on the math calculus enables.    No one else could so smoothly guide readers toward grasping the very equation Einstein used to describe his theory of general relativity. In the tradition of the legendary Richard Feynman lectures presented sixty years ago, this book is an inspiring, dazzling introduction to a way of seeing that will resonate across cultural and generational boundaries for many years to come. Read more

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“An informed and entertaining guide to what science can and cannot tell us.” —The Wall Street Journal“Stimulating . . . encourage[s] readers to push past well-trod assumptions […] and have fun doing so.” —Science Magazine From renowned physicist and creator of the YouTube series “Science without the Gobbledygook,” a book that takes a no-nonsense approach to life’s biggest questions, and wrestles with what physics really says about the human conditionNot only can we not currently explain the origin of the universe, it is questionable we will ever be able to explain it. The notion that there are universes within particles, or that particles are conscious, is ascientific, as is the hypothesis that our universe is a computer simulation.  On the other hand, the idea that the universe itself is conscious is difficult to rule out entirely.  According to Sabine Hossenfelder, it is not a coincidence that quantum entanglement and vacuum energy have become the go-to explanations of alternative healers, or that people believe their deceased grandmother is still alive because of quantum mechanics. Science and religion have the same roots, and they still tackle some of the same questions: Where do we come from? Where do we go to? How much can we know? The area of science that is closest to answering these questions is physics. Over the last century, physicists have learned a lot about which spiritual ideas are still compatible with the laws of nature. Not always, though, have they stayed on the scientific side of the debate. In this lively, thought-provoking book, Hossenfelder takes on the biggest questions in physics: Does the past still exist? Do particles think? Was the universe made for us? Has physics ruled out free will? Will we ever have a theory of everything? She lays out how far physicists are on the way to answering these questions, where the current limits are, and what questions might well remain unanswerable forever. Her book offers a no-nonsense yet entertaining take on some of the toughest riddles in existence, and will give the reader a solid grasp on what we know—and what we don’t know. Read more

Discover Albert Einstein's groundbreaking theories with ""Relativity: The Special and the General Theory."" This influential work provides a comprehensive exploration of the principles that revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. A must-read for science enthusiasts and those intrigued by the mysteries of the universe. Albert Einstein's revolutionary work, ""Relativity: The Special and the General Theory"" Explore the profound principles that reshaped our understanding of the universe Dive into the concepts of space, time, and gravity Perfect for science enthusiasts and those interested in theoretical physics A thought-provoking addition to any book collection, unlocking the secrets of the cosmos. Read more

Silver Medal Winner of the Independent Publisher Book AwardsAre you ready to master Quantum Physics fast through just 4 bizarre discoveries, even if you’ve got zero prior experience or training in the subject? Then keep reading...In 1965, the great American physicist Richard Feynman famously proclaimed, “I think I can safely say that nobody understands Quantum Mechanics." Is there any wonder why?Particles that pop in and out of existence...Spooky action at a distance that travels faster than light...Infinite universes and branching realities…The impossible phenomenon that breaks the rules of physics and altered the course of WWII...Miracle computers that work 158 million times faster than the world's best supercomputers…Most people, unfortunately, were never taught how wonderful and spectacular Quantum Physics really and truly is in school...And the ones who do receive formal training are overwhelmed with advanced mathematics that only makes sense to a fraction of the population...In this book, we will break through the confusion and reveal to you the most important ideas of Quantum Physics, told through the amazing true story of just 4 bizarre discoveries – many of which were made completely by accident!In Quantum Physics, Into the Light, you’ll discover:How one young physicist accidentally discovered quantum physics with a math trick and changed our entire understanding of light and matter forever.The true secret nature of light (get ready to be extremely confused).How a playful riddle about a dead cat started as a joke but later smashed our entire interpretation of reality forever.Why and how Newton got gravity wrong (and Einstein got it right).How a man you’ve never heard of took us to the brink of a Theory of Everything (and why we’re not there yet).Proof there’s a black hole at the center of the Milky Way.Einstein’s top-secret letter to President Roosevelt that saved the Allies in WWII.How to build an atom bomb, step by step.The secret of why clocks on GPS satellites run slower than Earth clocks (and how time travel might work).How we calculated the exact age of the Earth (and the universe too).The deadliest, most destructive threat in our universe (and why we’re still alive).How quantum physics has built our modern world (and will shape our future).The real science behind worm holes, string theory, alternate realities, parallel universes, and the multiverse.And a whole lot more!And as free bonuses, you’ll get a glossary for key terms, a list of all the most important equations and variables mentioned, and we included fun facts about the physicists themselves to bring the history to life.You could research the topics individually and piece the story together yourself… But this process would take hundreds of hours!This book will immediately increase your understanding of Quantum Physics, as well as show you why it matters in your life…Even if you have no prior experience – the book starts with the assumption you know nothing about quantum physics (yet).Even if you are not “good at math” - the equations are explained in plain English.Even if you don’t have the time - only the most impactful concepts are included with absolutely zero fluff.So if you’re ready to master the secrets of Quantum Physics fast, then scroll up and click the “Buy now with 1-Click” button to get your book instantly. Read more

By the author of the acclaimed bestsellers Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs, this is the definitive biography of Albert Einstein.How did his mind work? What made him a genius? Isaacson’s biography shows how his scientific imagination sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. His fascinating story is a testament to the connection between creativity and freedom. Based on newly released personal letters of Einstein, this book explores how an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk—a struggling father in a difficult marriage who couldn’t get a teaching job or a doctorate—became the mind reader of the creator of the cosmos, the locksmith of the mysteries of the atom, and the universe. His success came from questioning conventional wisdom and marveling at mysteries that struck others as mundane. This led him to embrace a morality and politics based on respect for free minds, free spirits, and free individuals. These traits are just as vital for this new century of globalization, in which our success will depend on our creativity, as they were for the beginning of the last century, when Einstein helped usher in the modern age. Read more

Named a Best Book of 2021 by the Financial Times and a Best Science Book of 2021 by The Guardian“Rovelli is a genius and an amazing communicator… This is the place where science comes to life.” ―Neil Gaiman“One of the warmest, most elegant and most lucid interpreters to the laity of the dazzling enigmas of his discipline...[a] momentous book” ―John Banville, The Wall Street Journal A startling new look at quantum theory, from the New York Times bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, The Order of Time, and  Anaximander.One of the world's most renowned theoretical physicists, Carlo Rovelli has entranced millions of readers with his singular perspective on the cosmos. In Helgoland, he examines the enduring enigma of quantum theory. The quantum world Rovelli describes is as beautiful as it is unnerving.Helgoland is a treeless island in the North Sea where the twenty-three-year-old Werner Heisenberg made the crucial breakthrough for the creation of quantum mechanics, setting off a century of scientific revolution. Full of alarming ideas (ghost waves, distant objects that seem to be magically connected, cats that appear both dead and alive), quantum physics has led to countless discoveries and technological advancements. Today our understanding of the world is based on this theory, yet it is still profoundly mysterious.As scientists and philosophers continue to fiercely debate the meaning of the theory, Rovelli argues that its most unsettling contradictions can be explained by seeing the world as fundamentally made of relationships rather than substances. We and everything around us exist only in our interactions with one another. This bold idea suggests new directions for thinking about the structure of reality and even the nature of consciousness.Rovelli makes learning about quantum mechanics an almost psychedelic experience. Shifting our perspective once again, he takes us on a riveting journey through the universe so we can better comprehend our place in it. Read more

"This beautiful little book is certainly suitable for anyone who has had an introductory course in physics and even for some who have not."—Joshua N. Goldberg, Physics Today "An imaginative and convincing new presentation of Einstein's theory of general relativity. . . . The treatment is masterful, continual emphasis being placed on careful discussion and motivation, with the aim of showing how physicists think and develop their ideas."—Choice Read more

On their 100th anniversary, the story of the extraordinary scientific expeditions that ushered in the era of relativityIn 1919, British scientists led extraordinary expeditions to Brazil and Africa to test Albert Einstein’s revolutionary new theory of general relativity in what became the century’s most celebrated scientific experiment. The result ushered in a new era and made Einstein a global celebrity by confirming his dramatic prediction that the path of light rays would be bent by gravity. Today, Einstein’s theory is scientific fact. Yet the effort to “weigh light” by measuring the gravitational deflection of starlight during the May 29, 1919, solar eclipse has become clouded by myth and skepticism. Could Arthur Eddington and Frank Dyson have gotten the results they claimed? Did the pacifist Eddington falsify evidence to foster peace after a horrific war by validating the theory of a German antiwar campaigner? In No Shadow of a Doubt, Daniel Kennefick provides definitive answers by offering the most comprehensive and authoritative account of how expedition scientists overcame war, bad weather, and equipment problems to make the experiment a triumphant success.The reader follows Eddington on his voyage to Africa through his letters home, and delves with Dyson into how the complex experiment was accomplished, through his notes. Other characters include Howard Grubb, the brilliant Irishman who made the instruments; William Campbell, the American astronomer who confirmed the result; and Erwin Findlay-Freundlich, the German whose attempts to perform the test in Crimea were foiled by clouds and his arrest.By chronicling the expeditions and their enormous impact in greater detail than ever before, No Shadow of a Doubt reveals a story that is even richer and more exciting than previously known. Read more

Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in the internationally acclaimed masterpiece by the world renowned physicist - generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers.It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory. To this day A Brief History of Time remains a staple of the scientific canon, and its succinct and clear language continues to introduce millions to the universe and its wonders.This new edition includes updates from Stephen Hawking with his latest thoughts about the No Boundary Proposal and offers new information about dark energy, the information paradox, eternal inflation, the microwave background radiation observations, and the discovery of gravitational waves.It was published in tandem with the app, Stephen Hawking's Pocket Universe.'This book marries a child's wonder to a genius's intellect. We journey into Hawking's universe while marvelling at his mind.' The Sunday Times Read more

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERAs you read these words, copies of you are being created.   Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and one of this world’s most celebrated writers on science, rewrites the history of 20th century physics. Already hailed as a masterpiece, Something Deeply Hidden shows for the first time that facing up to the essential puzzle of quantum mechanics utterly transforms how we think about space and time.  His reconciling of quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity changes, well, everything. Most physicists haven’t even recognized the uncomfortable truth: physics has been in crisis since 1927. Quantum mechanics  has always had obvious gaps—which have come to be simply ignored. Science popularizers keep telling us how weird it is,  how impossible it is to understand. Academics discourage students from working on the "dead end" of quantum foundations. Putting his professional reputation on the line with this audacious yet entirely reasonable book, Carroll says that the crisis can now come to an end. We just have to accept that there is more than one of us in the universe. There are many, many Sean Carrolls. Many of every one of us.   Copies of you are generated thousands of times per second. The Many Worlds Theory of quantum behavior says that every time there is a quantum event, a world splits off with everything in it the same, except in that other world the quantum event didn't happen. Step-by-step in Carroll's uniquely lucid way, he tackles the major objections to this otherworldly revelation until his case is inescapably established.   Rarely does a book so fully reorganize how we think about our place in the universe. We are on the threshold of a new understanding—of where we are in the cosmos, and what we are made of. Read more

The award-winning science writer “packs a lot of learning into a deceptively light and enjoyable read” exploring the contentious history of the black hole (New Scientist). For more than half a century, physicists and astronomers engaged in heated dispute over the possibility of black holes in the universe. The strange notion of a space-time abyss from which not even light escapes seemed to confound all logic. Now Marcia Bartusiak, author of Einstein’s Unfinished Symphony and The Day We Found the Universe, recounts the frustrating, exhilarating, and at times humorous battles over one of history’s most dazzling ideas. Bartusiak shows how the black hole helped revive Einstein’s greatest achievement, the general theory of relativity, after decades of languishing in obscurity. Not until astronomers discovered such surprising new phenomena as neutron stars and black holes did the once-sedate universe transform into an Einsteinian cosmos, filled with sources of titanic energy that can be understood only in the light of relativity. Black Hole explains how Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and other leading thinkers completely changed the way we see the universe. Read more

***#1 NEW RELEASE IN RELATIVITY PHYSICS ON AMAZON***Are you ready to master Einstein’s Theory of Relativity fast through just 3 bizarre discoveries, even if you’ve got zero prior experience or training in the subject? Then keep reading...When asked to explain Relativity simply, Albert Einstein himself once joked, “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's Relativity.”But when most normal people without advanced training attempt to study the subject seriously, they’re quickly weighed down by mathematics which would take months to finish, let alone understand...But what does it all mean?What are the most important ideas underneath the mathematics, explained in their simplest form?Most people, unfortunately, were never taught how wonderful and spectacular Special and General Relativity truly is in school...And the ones who do receive formal training are overwhelmed with advanced mathematics that only makes sense to a fraction of the population...In this book, we will break through the confusion and reveal to you the most important ideas of Special and General Relativity, told through the amazing true story of just 3 bizarre discoveries – many of which resulted directly from Einstein’s wild imagination!In Relativity For Beginners, The Special and the General Theory, you’ll discover:The hidden secrets of Space and Time.The solar eclipse that saved Einstein’s career.The true secret nature of light (it’s too strange to believe).How a playful riddle about a dead cat fundamentally changed our perception of reality itself.How time travel might work and the ONE thing that moves faster than light.Why Einstein’s old mathematics professor never believed in him (but gave him a boost anyway!).Why Newton got gravity wrong (and Einstein got it right!).How Einstein’s old college buddy you’ve never heard of helped him accomplish the masterpiece of his life.Einstein’s greatest regret (and what it means for our universe).The incredible real science of how to shrink objects.The #1 deadliest killer in our universe (and why we’re still alive).Einstein’s top-secret letter to President Roosevelt that helped the Allies win WWII.The real science behind worm holes, string theory, alternate realities, parallel universes, and the multiverse.How a genius you’ve never heard of took us to the brink of a Theory of Everything.And a whole lot more!And as free bonuses, you’ll get a glossary for key terms, a list of all the most important equations and variables mentioned, and we included fun facts about the physicists themselves to bring the history to life.You could research the topics individually and piece the story together yourself… But this process would take hundreds of hours!This book will immediately increase your understanding of Special and General Relativity in ways that a math book never could…Even if you have no prior experience – the book starts with the assumption you know nothing about Relativity (yet).Even if you are not “good at math” - the equations are explained in plain English.Even if you don’t have the time - only the most impactful concepts are included with absolutely zero fluff.So if you’re ready to master the secrets of Relativity fast, then scroll up and click the “Buy now with 1-Click” button to get your book instantly. Read more

A concise, non-technical exploration of quantum entanglement—the enigma Albert Einstein called ‘spooky action at a distance’—and how it contradicts our assumptions about the ultimate nature of reality.Quantum physics is notable for its brazen defiance of common sense. (Think of Schrödinger's Cat, famously both dead and alive.) An especially rigorous form of quantum contradiction occurs in experiments with entangled particles. Our common assumption is that objects have properties whether or not anyone is observing them, and the measurement of one can’t affect the other. Quantum entanglement—called by Einstein “spooky action at a distance”—rejects this assumption, offering impeccable reasoning and irrefutable evidence of the opposite. Is quantum entanglement mystical, or just mystifying? In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, Jed Brody equips readers to decide for themselves. He explains how our commonsense assumptions impose constraints—from which entangled particles break free.Brody explores such concepts as local realism, Bell’s inequality, polarization, time dilation, and special relativity. He introduces readers to imaginary physicists Alice and Bob and their photon analyses; points out that it's easier to reject falsehood than establish the truth; and reports that some physicists explain entanglement by arguing that we live in a cross-section of a higher-dimensional reality. He examines a variety of viewpoints held by physicists, including quantum decoherence, Niels Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation, genuine fortuitousness, and QBism. This relatively recent interpretation, an abbreviation of “quantum Bayesianism,” holds that there's no such thing as an absolutely accurate, objective probability “out there,” that quantum mechanical probabilities are subjective judgments, and there's no “action at a distance,” spooky or otherwise. Read more

One of TIME’s Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Decade "Meet the new Stephen Hawking . . . The Order of Time is a dazzling book." --The Sunday Times From the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Reality Is Not What It Seems, Helgoland, and Anaximander comes a concise, elegant exploration of time.Why do we remember the past and not the future? What does it mean for time to "flow"? Do we exist in time or does time exist in us? In lyric, accessible prose, Carlo Rovelli invites us to consider questions about the nature of time that continue to puzzle physicists and philosophers alike. For most readers this is unfamiliar terrain. We all experience time, but the more scientists learn about it, the more mysterious it remains. We think of it as uniform and universal, moving steadily from past to future, measured by clocks. Rovelli tears down these assumptions one by one, revealing a strange universe where at the most fundamental level time disappears. He explains how the theory of quantum gravity attempts to understand and give meaning to the resulting extreme landscape of this timeless world. Weaving together ideas from philosophy, science and literature, he suggests that our perception of the flow of time depends on our perspective, better understood starting from the structure of our brain and emotions than from the physical universe. Already a bestseller in Italy, and written with the poetic vitality that made Seven Brief Lessons on Physics so appealing, The Order of Time offers a profoundly intelligent, culturally rich, novel appreciation of the mysteries of time. Read more

This book will change your perspective on the universe and expand your mind with its condensed breakdown of the most profound mysteries in physics and cosmology. From the nature of dark matter and dark energy to the origins of life, this book delves into the most fundamental questions of our existence, guiding readers through the latest research and discoveries in the field. Through captivating storytelling and thought-provoking discussions, this book will ignite a passion for science and inspire readers to join in the quest for knowledge.Uncover the secrets of the universe and gain a deeper understanding of our place in it.Immerse yourself in the latest scientific research and discoveries, presented in an easily digestible format.Experience the thrill of exploration and discovery as you journey through the mysteries of the cosmos.Learn about the incredible minds behind the groundbreaking scientific research, and gain a new appreciation for the power of curiosity and inquiry.Expand your perspective and challenge your beliefs as you dive into profound questions about the nature of reality and our existence.In this book, you will find:A condensed breakdown of the major mysteries in physics and cosmology, including dark matter, dark energy, black holes, the ultimate fate of our universe, the origins of life on this planet and much more.Discussions on how the finding the answers to those questions could transform our understanding of our own place in the universe and what technologies can emerge as a results.In-depth explanations on how exactly the scientists and researchers are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe and which current theories hold the most potential to provide the answers.Engaging storytelling and thought-provoking discussions that will leave you questioning the very fabric of reality.Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge and uncover the mysteries of the universe. Buy now before the price changes. Read more

From the celebrated author of the best-selling Physics for Future Presidents comes “a provocative, strongly argued book on the fundamental nature of time” (Lee Smolin).You are reading the word "now" right now. But what does that mean? "Now" has bedeviled philosophers, priests, and modern-day physicists from Augustine to Einstein and beyond. In Now, eminent physicist Richard A. Muller takes up the challenge. He begins with remarkably clear explanations of relativity, entropy, entanglement, the Big Bang, and more, setting the stage for his own revolutionary theory of time, one that makes testable predictions. Muller’s monumental work will spark major debate about the most fundamental assumptions of our universe, and may crack one of physics’ longest-standing enigmas. Read more

This book is written for high school and college students learning about special relativity for the first time. It will appeal to the reader who has a healthy level of enthusiasm for understanding how and why the various results of special relativity come about. All of the standard introductory topics in special relativity are covered: historical motivation, loss of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, velocity addition, Lorentz transformations, Minkowski diagrams, causality, Doppler effect, energy/momentum, collisions/decays, force, and 4-vectors. Additionally, the last chapter provides a brief introduction to the basic ideas of general relativity, including the equivalence principle, gravitational time dilation, and accelerating reference frames. The book features more than 100 worked-out problems in the form of examples in the text and solved problems at the end of each chapter. These problems, along with the discussions in the text, will be a valuable resource in any course on special relativity. The numerous examples also make this book ideal for self-study. Very little physics background is assumed (essentially none in the first half of the book). An intriguing aspect of special relativity is that it is challenging due to its inherent strangeness, as opposed to a heavy set of physics prerequisites. Likewise for the math prerequisite: calculus is used on a few occasions, but it is not essential to the overall flow of the book. Read more

A renowned astrophysicist’s approachable introduction to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and its application in our daily lives.   It is commonly assumed that if the Sun suddenly turned into a black hole, it would suck Earth and the rest of the planets into oblivion. Yet, as prominent author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett points out, black holes don't suck. With that simple idea in mind, Bennett begins an entertaining introduction to Einstein's theories of relativity, describing the amazing phenomena readers would actually experience if they took a trip to a black hole.   The theory of relativity reveals the speed of light as the cosmic speed limit, the mind-bending ideas of time dilation and curvature of spacetime, and what may be the most famous equation in history: E = mc2. Indeed, the theory of relativity shapes much of our modern understanding of the universe. It is not “just a theory”―every major prediction of relativity has been tested to exquisite precision, and its practical applications include the Global Positioning System (GPS).   Amply illustrated and written in clear, accessible prose, Bennett's book proves anyone can grasp the basics of Einstein's ideas. His intuitive, nonmathematical approach gives a wide audience its first real taste of how relativity works and why it is so important to science and the way we view ourselves as human beings.  “Well-written and uniquely readable . . . Bennett carefully avoids bombastic statements and “spectacularization” of the subject.” —Alberto Nicolis, Columbia University  “I have read lots of introductions to relativity, but none is as clear and compelling as this one.” —Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute Read more