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Relativity: The Special and General Theory (Dover Books on Physics) Paperback – Illustrated, October 18, 2010

by Albert Einstein (Author)

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From the age of Galileo until the early years of the 20th century, scientists grappled with seemingly insurmountable paradoxes inherent in the theories of classical physics. With the publication of Albert Einstein's "special" and "general" theories of relativity, however, traditional approaches to solving the riddles of space and time crumbled. In their place stood a radically new view of the physical world, providing answers to many of the unsolved mysteries of pre-Einsteinian physics.
Acclaimed as the pinnacle of scientific philosophy, the theories of relativity tend to be regarded as the exclusive domain of highly trained scientific minds. The great physicist himself disclaimed this exclusionary view, and in this book, he explains both theories in their simplest and most intelligible form for the layman not versed in the mathematical foundations of theoretical physics.
In addition to the theories themselves, this book contains a final part presenting fascinating considerations on the universe as a whole. Appendices cover the simple derivation of the Lorentz transformation, Minkowski's four-dimensional space, and the experimental confirmation of the general theory of relativity. Students, teachers, and other scientifically minded readers will appreciate this inexpensive and accessible interpretation of one of the world's greatest intellectual accomplishments.

Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

October 18, 2010
Dimensions

5.25 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

048641714X
ISBN-13

978-0486417141
Lexile measure

1540L
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From the Publisher

Relativity

The Special and General Theory

From the age of Galileo until the early years of the 20th century, scientists grappled with seemingly insurmountable paradoxes inherent in the theories of classical physics. With the publication of Albert Einstein's "special" and "general" theories of relativity, however, traditional approaches to solving the riddles of space and time crumbled. In their place stood a radically new view of the physical world, providing answers to many of the unsolved mysteries of pre-Einsteinian physics.

"Special" and "General"

He explains both theories in their simplest and most intelligible form for the layman not versed in the mathematical foundations of theoretical physics.

Also Available:


Einstein's Theory of Relativity A book in which one great mind explains the work of another great mind in terms comprehensible to the layman is a significant achievement. This is such a book. Max Born is a Nobel Laureate (1955) and one of the world's great physicists: in this book he analyzes and interprets the theory of Einsteinian relativity. The result is undoubtedly the most lucid and insightful of all the books that have been written to explain the revolutionary theory that marked the end of the classical and the beginning of the modern era of physics.	Relativity Simply Explained Since the publication of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity in 1905, the discovery of such astronomical phenomena as quasars, pulsars, and black holes — all intimately connected to relativity — has provoked a tremendous upsurge of interest in the subject. This volume, a revised version of Martin Gardner's earlier Relativity for the Million, brings this fascinating topic up to date. Witty, perceptive, and easily accessible to the general reader, it is one of the clearest and most entertaining introductions to relativity ever written.	Sidelights on Relativity In 1905, a German technical journal, Annalen der Physik, published a remarkable paper by a young clerk in the patent office at Berne, Switzerland. The clerk was Albert Einstein. The paper outlined his Special Theory of Relativity, a revolutionary physical theory which discarded the concept of absolute motion in favor of relative motion in the context of a four-dimensional continuum of space-time. It proved to be the most profound revolution in physics since Newton.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In addition to conducting the research that culminated in his acclaimed theories of relativity, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) taught and lectured at universities around the world. Einstein received numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees in science, medicine, and philosophy, and he remains a towering symbol of intellectual and imaginative achievement.

It's All Relative
Around 1950, Hayward Cirker, Founder and President of Dover Publications, wrote to Einstein and asked his approval to proceed with a Dover paperback reprint of the 1923 collection of original papers on relativity by Einstein himself and others (H. A. Lorentz, H. Weyl, and H. Minkowski), which had originally been published in England. Einstein was reluctant, wondering how much interest there could possibly be in this relic of his work from 30 or more years earlier. Cirker persisted, and Einstein finally agreed — the Dover edition of The Theory of Relativity has been in print ever since and has been followed by many other Dover books on relativity.

The papers reprinted in this original collection will always be for the serious student the cornerstone of their Einstein library: Michelson's Interference Experiment (H. A. Lorentz); Electromagnetic Phenomena in a System Moving with any Velocity Less Than That of Light (H.A. Lorentz); On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies (A. Einstein); Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon its Energy Content? (A. Einstein); Space and Time (H. Minkowksi with notes by A. Sommerfeld); On the Influence of Gravitation on the Propagation of Light (A. Einstein); and The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity (A. Einstein) found on pages 109–164 of this text; Hamilton's Principle and The General Theory of Relativity (A. Einstein); Cosmological Considerations on the General Theory of Relativity (A. Einstein); Do Gravitational Fields Play an Essential Part in the Structure of the Elementary Particles of Matter? (A. Einstein); and Gravitation and Electricity (H. Weyl).

In the Author's Own Words:
"How can it be that mathematics, being after all a product of human thought independent of experience, is so admirably adapted to the objects of reality?"

"What nature demands from us is not a quantum theory or a wave theory; rather, nature demands from us a synthesis of these two views which thus far has exceeded the mental powers of physicists."

"Do not be troubled by your difficulties with Mathematics, I can assure you mine are much greater." — Albert Einstein

Critical Acclaim for The Theory of Relativity:
"This book constitutes an indispensable part of a library on relativity." — Nature

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Reprint edition (October 18, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 048641714X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486417141
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1540L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #305,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #142 in Relativity Physics (Books)
- #558 in Astronomy (Books)
- #26,226 in History (Books)

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Albert Einstein
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Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was born in Germany and became an American citizen in 1940. A world-famous theoretical physicist, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics and is renowned for his Theory of Relativity. In addition to his scientific work, Einstein was an influential humanist who spoke widely about politics, ethics, and social causes. After leaving Europe, Einstein taught at Princeton University. His theories were instrumental in shaping the atomic age.
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Nigel Calder
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Nigel David McKail Ritchie-Calder (2 December 1931 – 25 June 2014) was a British science writer.
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Robert W. Lawson
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Albert Einstein
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EINSTEIN
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Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was born in Germany and became an American citizen in 1940. A world-famous theoretical physicist, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics and is renowned for his Theory of Relativity. In addition to his scientific work, Einstein was an influential humanist who spoke widely about politics, ethics, and social causes. After leaving Europe, Einstein taught at Princeton University. His theories were instrumental in shaping the atomic age.
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Nate

Eiinstein's philosophy

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023

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Turns out that Einstein is a very clear explainer of his own theory. For him, physics is intimately connected to philosophy. Appendix 4 is especially interesting in that regard.

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Scott J Pearson

The most important scientific treatise for the public since 1900

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020

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“The universe of these beings is finite and yet has no limits.” – Albert Einstein, in chapter XXXI

So says one of the great thinkers – perhaps, the great thinker – of the twentieth century in explaining his general theory of relativity. While there was much mathematical in its derivation, Einstein explains it in common language to the educated reader in this short work. He also explains the special theory of relativity here. While such things are hard to digest (at least at first), they are certainly able to be digested in this format. That this presentation exists in such clarity at all bespeaks to Einstein’s genius.

I once took theology classes at a seminary on Mercer Street in Princeton, just down the street from where Einstein used to live. Stories about his commonness yet uncommonness still filled the town. He amazingly had the gall to claim that the universe was circular or elliptical – and then attempted to prove it. He did so by clear thought, not by experiment as he was a theoritician, and this book contains an accessible version of those thoughts. For that reason alone, the curious reader is encouraged to dwell deeply within this record of his understanding.

Like mathematics, physics is a field full of geniuses whose ingenuity is common with respect to each other. I am not a physicist, and I will not attempt to comment on the science presented. From what I understand, some of Einstein’s formulations have been questioned by contemporary experiments, and string theory (though still unproven) attempts to generalize even further. To me, neither of these discredits Einstein’s accomplishment with regards to relativity. Of course, his annus mirabilis (“miracle year” of 1905) included other important findings like Brownian motion, and for better or for worse, his legacy will forever be bound with the Manhattan project and its atomic bomb.

Thumbing through a work like this and dwelling on the beauty of its contents surely provide one of the greatest experiences humans can have. Only a handful of works, like those by Immanuel Kant or Isaac Newton or Augustine of Hippo, reach the heights like this. As such, anyone with any inkling of interest in physics should attempt to study these theories, and who better to read than the author of them himself? I enjoyed my time reading this work immensely. The translation is clear and scientific, but reading still is a little difficult due to the complex subject matter. Nonetheless, being a dog eating the crumbs from Einstein’s table still provides quite a treat!

18 people found this helpful

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David Milliern

Watermark of Human Achievement

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2013

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This is a review for the Three Rivers Press 1995 paperback printing:

This is the original 1920 version of Einstein's semi-popularized write-up of the special and general theories of relativity, with additional commentary and considerations in the appendices. There is no single work that has sustained my interest and fascinated me for so long as this work, the primary reason for my career path in physics. The mathematics are generally simple enough that, in principle, someone with a knowledge of algebra will be able to understand the vast majority of the mathematics. In the event that things get complicated with the math, the text is quite lucid and well written. I say all of this having first read the book when I was in middle school. It's not an easy text for any newcomer, but, I am confident, it can be understood by most competent individuals willing to make a couple of passes through, and it is likely to be especially accessible for those who know something of Einstein's work. Overall, I think this is a text that everyone should give a try, at some point, being one of the greatest human intellectual achievements in history, the ideas matching and, in the opinions of some, surpassing the creative human achievements in other forums; and I personally think a science-literate society that properly values science should be acquainted, even if only in passing, with Einstein's most heralded ideas.

As far as this edition, it's not bad. It's the one I purchased when I was in middle school. There are a few things to know. One the positive side, it has a couple of essays not contained in the other editions I have of the selfsame book. The two essays this one contains that others do not (they are included in this edition's appendices) are: "The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity" and "Relativity and the Problem of Space." On the downside, there isn't even so much as a biographical sketch. The typeset isn't the best, either. This edition is particularly longer in page number (and in paper thickness) than any other edition I have. If you are looking for one with a good introduction, I highly recommend the Barnes and Noble edition, which features an introduction by Amit Hagar. The edition I would avoid, because it has no introduction and is missing the aforementioned essays, is the "Great Minds Series" edition. (Note: All of these editions mentioned are the same and authorized translator, Robert W. Lawson.)

12 people found this helpful

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John W Gatewood

Real science is great, Einstein has been proven right every time relativity has been tested

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2022

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I had a physics minor in college many moons ago, but relativity was not part of any course. I just wanted a review of the theory for my own edification. Also, I bought a copy for my son-in-law and wanted to able to discuss the book with him. Well written, short to the point chapters and very illuminating reading. Albert, you are awesome!

3 people found this helpful

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meadows_hands

PBS Space Time led me here

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023

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I bought this book to hear it from the man himself. He starts the book by talking about how this will be as simple of an explanation as possible.

In my quest to learn relativity, I found the best sleeping pill imaginable. 10/10

5 people found this helpful

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Ammar Hasan

Not for the people who just want to read.

Reviewed in India on September 10, 2023

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This book requires lot of knowledge before reading it is not like 'A Brief History Of Time'. So If you are a nerd and into Physics and Maths, Its for you.

Hermes

Everything is relative, even this theory

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2023

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Difficult read, but what a prize to understand it!

Ronit Shah

Great Book !

Reviewed in India on August 6, 2023

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The media could not be loaded.

I received it in good condition and the quality of the book is fine. 10/10.

Dharm nath ji maurya

It is knowledge full book.

Reviewed in India on June 24, 2023

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This product have many interesting chapters but this book has any hard words this book is best for children of 9 th standard or above.

Shreya

Excellent book

Reviewed in India on March 18, 2023

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A captivating read! This book gives an insight into the scientific theory about the relationship between space and time, the theory of gravitation and the universe.

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