Relativity in Curved Spacetime: Life without special relativity (Paperback)

by Eric Baird (Author)
Key Phrases: membrane paradigm, dark star model, transverse redshifts, Big Bang, Classical Theory, Albert Einstein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Relativity theory has become one of the icons of Twentieth Century science. It's reckoned to be a difficult subject, taught as a layered series of increasingly difficult mathematics and increasingly abstract concepts. We're told that relativity theory is supposed to be this complicated and counter-intuitive. But how much of this historical complexity is really necessary? Can we bypass the interpretations and paradoxes and pseudoparadoxes of Einstein's special theory and jump directly to a deeper and more intuitive description of reality? What if curvature is a fundamental part of physics, and a final theory of relativity shouldn't reduce to Einstein's "flat" 1905 theory //on principle//? "Relativity..." takes us on a whistlestop tour of Twentieth Century physics - from black holes, quantum mechanics, wormholes and the Big Bang to the workings of the human mind, and asks: what would physics look like without special relativity? 394 printed pages, 234×156 mm, ~200 figures and illustrations, includes bibliography and index www.relativitybook.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 394 pages
• Publisher: Chocolate Tree Books (September 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0955706807
• ISBN-13: 978-0955706806
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,202,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent!, November 18, 2007

By	BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

In this excellent discussion of relativity theory, Eric Baird introduces the reader to the history and practice of relativity theory, jauntily condensing and critiquing centuries of research as he builds his accompanying argument: that Albert Einstein's 1905 flat-spacetime special theory cannot be fully reconciled with emerging concepts of curved spacetime, and that a more general and flexible theory is required to account for the paradoxes and pseudo paradoxes implicit in Special Relativity.

Eyes glazing over already? Take heart. The book opens with a lucid and understandable primer on "Background" physics, introducing us neophytes to the central actors of the relativity drama: light, gravity, space, time and relativity itself. Once thus fortified, the reader is then prepared to penetrate denser matter. Although it can be slow going at times, the work proves surprisingly readable, and is mapped so that you can easily move back and forth in the text to refresh your understanding. It is also beautifully referenced and indexed so that you can check out Baird's many distinguished sources. Dozens of little illustrations, graphs and diagrams can be found throughout, providing excellent aids for conceptualization. In addition, Baird ornaments his discussions and section introductions with lively and thought-provoking quotes from scientists, poets, Lewis Carroll, and even Peter Sellers' obtuse detective Inspector Clouseau.

With Baird as our guide, we dopple through the workshop of quantum mechanics, navigate the vortices of black holes, explore the nooks and cranies of theory past and present, and join in the mysterious dance of the observer and the observed. Along the way, Baird postulates plausible flaws in the theories of physics giants like Issac Newton and Albert Einstein, and sheds light on the sometimes subjective manner in which scientific theory has historically evolved. A special target is Einstein's work, in particular the critical dependence of Einstein's Special Relativity theory on the assumption of flat-space time. "What if a general theory of relativity is not reducible to Einstein's original 1905 theory?" Baird asks. It is a question of some gravity.

All this, of course, can be somewhat consciousness warping for those of us who nearly failed physics 101. Fortunately, for all those brave enough to plunge in and persist, Baird has written a lucid primer on contemporary physics and relativity theory, which any attentive layperson can digest. At the same time he makes his case for "Life without Special Relativity" in language that is transparent, and enlightening. Whether you agree with him or not, you will know a lot more about physics when you finish this book than you did when you picked it up. Anyone fascinated with relativity, or seeking a deeper understanding of the subject will profit from reading Relativity in Curved SpaceTime.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Non mainstream, April 5, 2008

By	J. Koelman (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book in the hope to get an introduction and overview to (general) relativity. I got disappointed as this turned out to be a book about Baird's own pet concepts about relativity. Concepts that don't get explained in any depth, but rather stay at the level of generic remarks.

If you want to learn about Einstein's special and/or general relativity: don't buy this book. If you want to read about alternative approaches outside mainstream physics: go ahead.