Einstein's Universe: Gravity at Work and Play [Paperback]

A. Zee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2001

On Albert Einstein's seventy-sixth and final birthday, a friend gave him a simple toy made from a broomstick, a brass ball attached to a length of string, and a weak spring. Einstein was delighted: the toy worked on a principle he had conceived fifty years earlier when he was working on his revolutionary theory of gravity--a principle whose implications are still confounding physicists today.

Starting with this winning anecdote, Anthony Zee begins his animated discussion of phenomena ranging from the emergence of galaxies to the curvature of space-time, evidence for the existence of gravity waves, and the shape of the universe in the first nanoseconds of creation and today. Making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying, Zee leads the reader through the implications of Einstein's theory and its influence on modern physics. His playful and lucid style conveys the excitement of some of the latest developments in physics, and his new Afterword brings things even further up-to-date.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An extraordinary writer: playful, inspired, and brilliant."--Publishers Weekly

"Zee writes with wry, poetic humor.... It's as if he is conducting an easygoing conversation with his audience...a scientist who can clearly evoke the imagery hidden within a mathematical equation, treating some rather formidable material with enthusiasm and delight."--The New York Times

"A brash, breezy, and authoritative discussion...a fascinating book."--The Washington Post

"Through his engaging, conversational style, Zee...succeeds in informing while entertaining the reader with disarming stories."--The San Francisco Chronicle

"Among the numerous authors who have written popularizations of contemporary physics, none is better than Zee at explaining things simply."--Library Journal

About the Author

A. Zee is at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195142853
• ISBN-13: 978-0195142853
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Gravity

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Einstein's Universe clearly explained, June 15, 2007

By 

Jim Okana (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Einstein's Universe: Gravity at Work and Play (Paperback)

An Old Man's Toy

I just read the book: " Einstein's Universe" which is the retitle of "An Old Man's Toy". Both titles are available at Amazon.com. I am taking the trouble to write a brief account of why I find this book to be a masterpiece. I've been reading books on Physics as a hobby. My background is that I have a Masters Degree in Math.
I've read about ten maybe it is more like 20 books trying to understand Einsteins Equivalence Principle. This principle as he grasped it was according to Einsteins the "happiest thought of his life". I read such statements as Acceleration and Gravity produce the same effect and therefore are equivalent. Again such as the inertaial acceleration in F = ma and gravitational acceleration in F=G m M/ r^2 which is GM/r^2 =g produces inertial acceleration = gravitational acceleration and so they cancel being in different directions up and down so to speak. There were others. The problem is trying to get a picure of the process. Since Newtons force was pushed back for curved space it became a little confusing. After reading Dr Zee's book I had my picture. The key to what I'm writing is picture. I asked him a question by email to which I had already decided on the answer and what he gave me is exactly the picture I had formed from reading his book. It is really good. I purchased his other books immediately: "Fearful Symmetry" and "The Unity of Forces". Both available at Amazon.com.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great !!!!, February 24, 2006

By 

Ronan Mehigan (Dublin ,Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Einstein's Universe: Gravity at Work and Play (Paperback)

"Einstein's universe ......" is a wonderful explanation of the current theory of gravity and a very enjoyable read.
If you would like to learn the basic concepts behind general relativity, then there is no better place to start

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, February 2, 2006

By 

Maja (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Einstein's Universe: Gravity at Work and Play (Paperback)

This book is amazing. It trully captivated me and made me more interested in physics and universe. Its both easy to read and educational. Fantastic combo!