Customer Reviews

Geometry, Relativity and the Fourth Dimension

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In his own introduction the author, Mr. R. Rucker, states, "My goal has been to present an intuitive picture of the curved space-time we call home. There are a number of excellent introductions to the separate topics treated here, but there has been no prior weaving of them into a sustained visual account. I looked for a book like this for many years- and finding none, I wrote it." His dedication has been rewarded, as the text is one of the finer introductory books on the curvature of space time and special relativity.

The 'book like this' as the author calls it, walks the reader through several visual explanations that allow a solid mathematical and graphical explanation of modern physics. This isn't always a simple explanation, but there is a certain reward to struggling with the concepts before understanding them. In particular, Chapter 4 on time as a higher dimension makes the entire book worth reading, with many fascinating examples and a host of thought-provoking examples, such as "Schrodinger's Cat."

This is a very interesting book which would be of use to anyone who wishes to push just a little bit further than the typical popular physics text. For those who wish to push even further to solidify their knowledge, there are even questions at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoy Rudy Rucker's nonfiction, and some of his fiction too (_White Light_ is great). He's very good at presenting mind-blowingly cool ideas in accessible expository prose, and he knows _just_ when to throw in the bombs.

This particular book is published by Dover, and it's not one of their usual reprints; it was _originally_ published by Dover. (In 1977, but the geometry of spacetime hasn't changed much since then.) It's an exploration of just what the title says: the geometry of the four-dimensional spacetime that the theory of relativity says is Really Out There.

Well, this is a good book on the subject, but you can get others (although one of the best -- Cornelius Lanczos's delightful _Space Through the Ages_ -- has long been out of print). What's coolest about this one is that Rudy Rucker wrote it.

Which means you get those little bombs thrown in at all the right places. Of course Rucker gives you what any competent mathematician will give you -- a sound introductory presentation of the mathematics of 4D spacetime and relativity theory, which are weird enough if you haven't encountered them before (and maybe even if you have) -- but he doesn't stop there. You also get an argument that the apparent passage of time is an illusion, and a little speculation about how this might tie in with the Many-Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics. And even that isn't all: you get a suggestion that it's possible to _develop a spacetime consciousness_ via some sort of meditation techniques or mystical insight, together with an entry in the annotated bibliography referring you (cautiously) to Robert A. Monroe's _Journeys Out of the Body_, whose experiments Rucker himself has tried.

It's like Raymond Smullyan on acid, if you know what I mean. But honest, it really does make sense. And it really will knock your mind loose from your brain even without the use of chemical aids.

This is the sort of thing Rucker does best. He does it in _Infinity and the Mind_, too (with which this volume has a little bit of overlap, but you won't care). Check out that book as well, along with _White Light_. Mathematical hippie mysticism just doesn't get any better.

Yes, finally, I get the hoopla with the fourth dimension. Rucker explains things with lots of classsical geometric illustrations. Not intending to scare you, I must warn you that he takes the reader all the way to a 5-dimensional world. Still, it is simple to explain, because he uses line-land (the 2-dimansional version of flatland) adds a dimension, then one more, and the result can be visualized in 3-D. I am just astounded that I could understand this without mind-crunching effort. It was not an easy read, but it was not very hard either. No derivatives, matrixes, integrals, or any of the other off-putting versions of mathematics. Just straight (actually fairly wrinkled) geometry.

This is the best introduction to non-Euclidean geometry and special relativity that I have ever encountered. The book is basic enough to be understandable (at least to a degree) by any intelligent (and determined) adolescent, but deep enough for the physics or math undergraduate and perhaps even graduate student to find continual interest in. Rucker has a way of introducing complex ideas in a rather simple fashion so trhat one doesn't often realise how deep the subject matter is at first. Unlike some of his other books, however, considerable math background is required and a substantial amount of effort and force of will on the part of the reader will be necessary. All the same, the book is an intensely interesting foray into the world of geometry and relativistic physics. His adaption af Abbott's "A.Square" character to ealborated his ideas are particularly amusing and helpful.

An excellent introduction to concepts of space and time in modern physics, including non-Euclidean geometry - the geometry of the curved spaces. Minimal background in mathematics is requested and multiple diagrams help a better understanding of the most difficult passages. The book is so interesting that I finished it in 5 days !!!

I first took this book from the bookshelves at my local library when I was a high school student. It was a thin little book which I thought I'd check out. Little did I know then how wonderful it would be. This book introduces us to the incredible worlds of the 4th (and higher) dimension and to some of the math/geometry associated with it. Especially interesting are the parts on Non-Euclidean geometry and special relativity. I recommend this book to anyone intrigued by the nature of space-time or who always just wanted to know what a hypercube is. ;)

Don't let the title frighten you.

Clear, concise, and not overly daunting....this tome can be read and understood by anyone--even if you haven't had calculus yet. This is a great introduction to non-Euclidean geometry and a nice summary of the history of mathematics. At the very least, it made me read Flatland again. :o)

Professor Rucker has written a book that reads so simply and so beautifully that you can literally read a paragraph, put the book down, and think about its impact for a week. I've read and re-read the first chapter alone at least ten times, and everytime I read it I pick up something else. The book is written well enough that you can get the gist of the subject matter quickly enough, yet complete mastery of the material takes a considerable amount of time - if ever. My hat is off to Prof. Rucker.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in lower dimensional geometry, preliminary modern physics, very basic quantum mechanics and any science buff with an eye for time travel.

This book is mainly concerned with exactly what the title says and I have been searching for a book like this for a very long time. because for one, it provides a very detailed explanation of topics that are intersting in the realm of physics. Such as the fourth dimension. it is very visual and explains things in a way that I can understand. I also like this book because it doesn't spend half the book telling you about which scientist hated the other scientist, Or the entire biography of Dr. Planck before they tell me what the planck length is

I remember being given this book as a thirteen year old and finding the ideas stimulating and interesting. Later as an undergraduate in mathematics and physics I was able to dip into it again, and then again as a graduate student.
At least some (and later all!) of the ideas in the book, four dimensions and 'embedded' universes, non-Euclidean geometry and the 'bent', relativistic nature of space-time are presented with creative analogies and clever diagrams. I'd recommend this book to any clever teenager interested in being stretched and introduced to some of the important and exciting ideas of modern geometry and space-time.