Einstein For Dummies [Paperback]

Carlos I. Calle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2005

Genius demystified, the Dummies way!
In 1905, Albert Einstein revolutionized modern physics with his theory of relativity. He went on to become a twentieth-century icon-a man whose name and face are synonymous with "genius." Now, at last, ordinary readers can explore Einstein's life and work in this new For Dummies guide. Physicist Carlos Calle chronicles Einstein's career and explains his work-including the theories of special and general relativity-in language that anyone can understand. He shows how Einstein's discoveries affected everything from the development of the atom bomb to the theory of quantum mechanics. He sheds light on Einstein's personal life and beliefs, including his views on religion and politics. And he shows how Einstein's work continues to affect our world today, from nuclear power to space travel to artificial intelligence.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Understand his theories of special and general relativity

The genius of Einstein demystified the Dummies Way®!

Eager to understand Einstein? This fun, accessible guide clearly explains his amazing theories and the tremendous impact of his discoveries on contemporary life and science. You get a glimpse into Einstein's personal life and beliefs, as well as an overview of the main events that shaped his ideas and laid the groundwork for his accomplishments.

Discover

• Einstein's thoughts and motivations
• The scientists who influenced his work
• His connection to the nuclear bomb
• Einstein's greatest blunder

About the Author

Carlos I. Calle, PhD, is a NASA senior research scientist with a doctorate in physics and extensive professional experience in Einstein's theories.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (June 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764583484
• ISBN-13: 978-0764583483
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Einstein, Albert
  • #44 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Relativity

More About the Author

Carlos I. Calle is a senior research scientist and laboratory director at NASA Kennedy Space Center. In addition to publishing over 150 scientific papers, he is the author of four books for the general reader which have been translated into 6 languages.

His most recent book, The Universe - Order Without Design, presents the current cosmological theories, exploring the problem of origins and the exciting possibility that science can explain the existence of the universe. His discussion is honest and rooted in science, evaluating each theory in light of the testable predictions that they make and that can be verified in the not too distant future.

He writes his books in his library at home. When he is away from his NASA lab and not working on a new book, he enjoys drawing and sculpting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very well written, though still challenging, October 30, 2005

By 

Russell W. Carrington (Leonardtown, Md. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Einstein For Dummies (Paperback)

I would give this book five stars except for one thing. I have a masters degree in social work. While I enjoyed the book immensely, I wouldn't describe it as a true "dummy's" guide. For some of the concepts, I got the gist of what was being said but not a clear understanding.

Still, it's probably one of the most readable introductions to Einstein and to physics available. One of the more remarkable and appreciated features is that the book is about so much more than Einstein. There is a real effort to help you understand the context in which Einstein operated: the ideas that came before him, which influenced him and challenged him, and the ideas that came after him, which were influenced by his work. Into all this, interesting details of Einstein's life are effectively woven.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a sense of what physics is about, and of Einstein's place in that field--without getting lost in mathematical formulas. So much is touched on: from the tiny world of atoms to the immense universe of galaxies.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best physics book I have read, October 23, 2005

By 

Lucas Jensen "Lucas" (Vejle, Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Einstein For Dummies (Paperback)

This is the best physics book I have read. Mr Calle does a superb job in explaining subjects which are extremely difficult to understand if you use a standard text book. Reading this book myself gave me a clear understanding of quantum physics and relativity. I would really recommend this book to everyone who wants to start studying science before attending the real classes. The book does not have any equations but simplifies everything by figures and thought experiments. As I am writing this review I'm about to graduate with a masters degree in engineering and I truly regret that I didn't know about this book five years ago.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that convinced me that Einstein is understandable, April 10, 2007

By 

S. Hua (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Einstein For Dummies (Paperback)

This is the book to read if you want to understand relativity but don't know mathematics. As a biologist, I read 6 chapters in one night. Dr. Calle's analogy made use of my commonsense and everyday experience to the best. From the history and philosophy of physics described in the book, I figured out what theoretical physics is and how physicists do it. I still have questions not answered by the book, but I finished the book and want another one by the same author.

I wish all the science professors have Dr. Calle's communication skills and interest in teaching.