The equivalent of Spike Jones to music, this dose of irreverence is a hoot. Epstein is legit, with a Ph.D. from Harvard, widely published in quality joumals. But he just had to shake the jowls of that other -stein, Ein-, and give equal time to another scientist. A fictitious one called U.T. Zalna. His theory? Irrelativity. 'This is probably for the best, since the universe actually parts its hair somewhat differently than Einstein led us to believe.' ....Just throw caution to the relative wind and read on, as Epstein tickles. He jabs at modern physics and the extent to which it defies common sense. He wonders whether there really could be extra-dimensional burgers. Then he 'gets serious' with discourses on The Big Bore, Missing Bodies, the Mind-Body Problem, Religion and Black Holes. 'The black hole, the greatest of all swallowers of everything, spits up radiation.' He concludes with a salute to his own Zalna and ponders Bathroom Graffiti on the Foundations of Science. His concoction makes life somewhat more easy to understand. None of that curved space and relative time stuff. Although...how can he zap his theories back in time to read as a kid, to pre-date Einstein? Like the movies? Then he remembers. His theory is not only irrelative, it's irrelevant. The book is not. One physicist reader winced, got angry - then broke down laughing. -- The Book Reader, Summer 1997, p.42
Product Description
An engaging spoof of the modern view of the universe which, as the author shows, defies common sense to the point of absurdity. It presents in straightforward language the real Albert Einstein, and the fictitious, hapless U. T. Zalna with his theory of Irrelativity. Following the new theory's universal consequences, the author shows his gift for bringing theoretical science to life. He explains in detail, often with tongue in cheek, the conservation of matter and energy, the ether, black holes, the slowing of time, time travel, matter-energy systems, religion, the foundations of science, the mind-body problem, the physically possible, the impossible, the unknown, and the sublime; and how Irrelativity effects these. The clarity of his writing, his genius for narrative, his asides and frequent offhanded quips propel us through the book. When we pause to wonder, we discover the ridiculous and smiles turn to laughter. This refreshingly light-hearted, funny, yet thoughtful and well-crafted story makes us think hard and laugh harder.
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