Space, Time and Gravitation: An Outline of the General Relativity Theory (Cambridge Science Classics) [Paperback]

Arthur S. Eddington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1987 | ISBN-10: 0521337097 | ISBN-13: 978-0521337090

This classic book is essential reading for all those interested in the development of modern physics. Sir Arthur Eddington's account of the general theory of relativity, 'without,' as he says in his preface, 'introducing anything very technical in the way of mathematics, physics or philosophy', was first published in the exciting days of 1920 soon after the first objective tests of the theory had demonstrated its validity. The book was at once received with acclamation by reviewers and remains today one of the simplest and most straightforward accounts in print. The reviewer in the Athenaeum described it as 'a masterly book. The arrangement, the vigour and ease of the reasoning, the felicity of illustration, the clear, flexible prose and (we must mention it) the wit, make this book one of the most adequate and engaging attempts at the non-technical exposition of a scientific theory that it has ever been our good fortune to encounter.' This reissue includes a foreword by Sir Hermann Bondi, FRS, giving a brief appraisal of the book, and placing it in its historical and scientific context.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A reissue of a classic 1920's account of the general theory of relativity features a preface by Sir Hermann Bondi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 27, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521337097
• ISBN-13: 978-0521337090
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,513,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great learning from one of the greatest of modern astronome, May 16, 2003

By 

Raghuram Krishnaswamy - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Space, Time and Gravitation: An Outline of the General Relativity Theory (Cambridge Science Classics) (Paperback)

First off, this is the guy who made the famous remark when he was asked "Is it true you are among the three people who understand relativity" and he responded, "I wonder who is the third!". The Astronomer Royal, Eddington was counted on as a very good mathematician by even mathematicians (Hardy for instance) and an even better physicist. He was embroiled (now legend) with Chandrasekhar in the thirties on the quantum mechanics of dying stars. Chandra worked extensively with Eddington and described his writing style in glowing terms.

When he writes, you don't get the feeling of pomp in his style, considering his stature. On the contrary his style is very engaging and leaves you impressed! His mathematical treatment to the relativity is even more accessible!

Fantastic Book!!!!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A time piece, April 16, 2004

By 

Professor Joseph L. McCauley "Joseph L. McCauley" (Austria+Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space, Time and Gravitation: An Outline of the General Relativity Theory (Cambridge Science Classics) (Paperback)

Very clear, straightforward presentation of GR in the spirit of Einstein and also Schrödinger, easy to read. But also too easy to miss the main points of the physics/geometry (see Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler) while becoming an expert at manipulating tensors in general coordinate systems. Very nice presentation of parallel transport and Weyl's formulation of gauge transformations. Better, more recent treatments using awareness of Lie algebras show the connection of curvature with noncommuting translations/operators, and emphasize the importance of relativistic invariance and local coordinate systems (physics). Einstein wrote of general covariance as if it would be a physical principle (it isn't), and this confusion wasn't cleared up for a long time.

3.0 out of 5 stars easy to digest, January 19, 2010

By 

M. Al-dhaen (Bahrain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space, Time And Gravitation: An Outline Of The General Relativity Theory (1920) (Hardcover)

If everyone can write a book like that, we'd all be authors.

This book is old and the author writes as an observer most of the time, fantastic.