In the Grip of the Distant Universe: The Science of Inertia [Hardcover]

Peter Graneau (Author), Neal Graneau (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9812567542 | ISBN-13: 978-9812567543 | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

This is a book about the history of the science of inertia. Nobody denies the existence of the forces of inertia, but they are branded as "fictitious" because they do not fit smoothly into modern physics. Named by Kepler and given mathematical form by Newton, the force of inertia remains aloof because it has no obvious local cause. At the end of the 19th century, Ernst Mach bravely claimed that the inertia of an object was the result of its instantaneous interaction with all matter in the universe. Many other well-known physicists, including Aristotle, Galileo, Descartes and Einstein, are shown to have tackled this difficult subject. The book also concentrates on inertia research in the 20th century, taking place under the shadow of general relativity, which is seen as uncomfortable with Mach's principle. A Newtonian paradigm, based on action-at-a-distance forces, is discussed throughout the book, allowing the revival of Mach's principle as the only coherent explanation of the inertia forces which play such an important role in the laboratory and in the cosmos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The printing and binding of the book is wonderful. -- Journal of Scientific Exploration

This book is a rarity — a serious, original, informed attack on a truly foundational problem area of physics. -- Dr Thomas Phipps, Galilean Electrodynamics

This book is without equations and accessible to anyone with a basic knowledge of and interest in physics. -- Choice

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812567542
• ISBN-13: 978-9812567543
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,418,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the grip of Mach's principle, November 10, 2006

By 

Alexandre Tort (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Grip of the Distant Universe: The Science of Inertia (Hardcover)

I think that this book is one of the most provocative books that I've read lately. The main theme is a reinterpretation of classical newtonian mechanics that would take into account Mach's principle, a principle that never ceased to haunt us since Einstein used it in one of the first versions of his general relativity (later on he abandoned it). Of course, you must have a solid newtonian background to better understand the consequences of the changes proposed by the author. Even if you do not agree with all points of view presented by Peter Graneau, the book surely sets your gray matter to work hard on the issues raised here. I am quite certain that together with other books that deal with the subject it will be my companion for a long time.

A C Tort

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, important text, April 30, 2008

By 

D. Atkins (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Grip of the Distant Universe: The Science of Inertia (Hardcover)

In the Grip provides an excellent historical and analytical overview of the vital concept of inertia. Some critical reviewers below have apparently failed to read carefully, or else grasp, the thesis advanced here, which is not that Newton was "more advanced" than Einstein, much less that the Principia are a fully accurate representation of reality, but rather that the empirical approach to mechanical questions is far more effective and accurate than the thought-experimental, Aristotelian field theoretical approach. The authors are explicit that inertia is a mechanical concept and must be treated as such; field theories that fictionalize or dismiss inertial force are both flatly innaccurate and evasionary. Their formulation of the Machian concept is lucid; action at a distance is physical fact. Their tour through the pageant of the modern-era development of mechanics is both interesting and enlightening. Highly recommended.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will make you ponder and wonder, October 15, 2006

By 

Q. Hai - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Grip of the Distant Universe: The Science of Inertia (Hardcover)

This book is well-written, but the ideas presented may be hard for modern physicists to stomach. However, considering the fact that history of modern physics has churned out plausible theories/ideas such as the aether and String Theory (which sadly, "is not even wrong" in the words of Wolfgang Pauli), the Graneaus' ideas (and not theories) are not that far-fetched afterall.

The truth is nobody knows much about inertia nor gravity. Nevertheless, the reader will come to appreciate the mystery of inertia and modern physics in general. The institution of modern physics is also shown to be political at times, consensus reached in favour of the few who professed to be knowledgeable and influential.

From reading Einstein's personal correspondence in the book, one will realise that Einstein actually had reservations about his own scientific writings. Interesting. The foundation of modern physics is based on his theories, yet here we have the founder doubting his own theories?! The arguments in the book are relatively easy to follow, with almost no mathematics. (The book has advanced sections with dotted lines for the lay reader to skip)

This book will make you ponder and wonder. Highly recommended for the lay reader who wants to know more the history of physics.