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About Time: Einstein's Unfinished Revolution
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An elegant, witty, and engaging exploration of the riddle of time, which examines the consequences of Einstein's theory of relativity and offers startling suggestions about what recent research may reveal.
The eternal questions of science and religion were profoundly recast by Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications that time can be warped by motion and ...more
The eternal questions of science and religion were profoundly recast by Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications that time can be warped by motion and ...more
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Paperback, 320 pages
Published
April 9th 1996
by Simon Schuster
(first published March 13th 1995)
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Start your review of About Time: Einstein's Unfinished Revolution
One of the better popular-science books I've ever read, and certainly the best I've read recently. Well written, engaging, and well-referenced, it not only improved my understanding of General Relativity, but made the very concept of timeboth in terms of the experience of its flow and it's scientific sense as a dimension of unified spacetimeboth clearer and more diffuse: what is time after all? How can it even be defined in any meaningful way? These questions may seem ridiculous on their face,
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After reading this book, I seriously got the feeling that my brain has worn make-up!! If you are looking for a reference to understand the big bang theory, black holes, spacetime ...etc .. this book is a great start for you! It is such an informative book and it's formulated to be understood by non-specialists.
Anyone embarking on the task of producing a book on the nature of time aimed at the general reader, had better have (1) a sound technical grasp of his subject; and (2) the ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way. Fortunately, Paul Davies possesses both these skills in spades. For sure, there are some sections that require a high degree of concentration (for this dummy anyway), but thats probably unavoidable given the subject matter. However, this didnt stop me reading the whole
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Originally published on my blog here in January 2000.
About Time is an eminently readable popular account of the current ideas about time in physics, with a short historical section examining philosophical perceptions of time from the ancient Greeks to the time of Newton. The main concerns of the book are to explain the role played by time in the keystones of modern physics, general relativity and quantum mechanics. Since much of physics is concerned with processes, time can be used as a single ...more
About Time is an eminently readable popular account of the current ideas about time in physics, with a short historical section examining philosophical perceptions of time from the ancient Greeks to the time of Newton. The main concerns of the book are to explain the role played by time in the keystones of modern physics, general relativity and quantum mechanics. Since much of physics is concerned with processes, time can be used as a single ...more
In the spirit of Shrodinger's cat, this book talks about paradoxes in a humorous light. Taking what Davies believes is unfinished business of Einstein, he throws out endless possibilities of what doesn't make sense. Intriguing as it is, we are missing some elements in knowing things that can answer all the questions we have and can turn the paradoxes into sense.
Davies tackles this with this read. It's fascinating.
Davies tackles this with this read. It's fascinating.
I have never had a Physics or Astronomy course in my life nor have I previously read any other books on the subject matter. Dr. Davies made no assumptions about the background of his audience and was able to explain concepts in such a way that I was able to move through the book without back tracking and whilst retaining a good portion of the material. The flow was impeccable. I plan to reread this book in a few months. Thank you, Dr. Davies!
Did the universe come into existence with time or in time?
Whether one addresses questions regarding the duration, the existence, the direction or the meaning of time - then, now, before, after, past, present and future - from the point of view of the mathematics of multi-dimensional differential geometry, the physics of special and general relativity or quantum mechanics, meta-physics, religion, or purely philosophy, there can be no doubt that a full and complete understanding of the nature of ...more
Whether one addresses questions regarding the duration, the existence, the direction or the meaning of time - then, now, before, after, past, present and future - from the point of view of the mathematics of multi-dimensional differential geometry, the physics of special and general relativity or quantum mechanics, meta-physics, religion, or purely philosophy, there can be no doubt that a full and complete understanding of the nature of ...more
Paul Davies has for a long time been one of my favorite general physics writers and he does a very good job here. I only have two minor quibbles. The first is probably due to his editor telling him not to use equations but it has to do his explanation of why space and time make an inseparable space-time. The reason is a certain quantity involving both is an invariant under any sort of change like like volume is an invariant when an object is moved. That quantity is "ct squared - x squared" where
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A perfectly good book on time using Einstein and Einstein's theory of relativity to explain how time is relative and how our perception of time is incorrect in many ways. The author, Paul Davies, seeks to illuminate questions such as whether time flows in one direction, whether time is it's own dimension, whether time existed before the big bang (or whether the big bang happened), whether time travel is possible, and whether time exists at the singularity of a black hole.
Davies uses physics, ...more
Davies uses physics, ...more
Paul Davis is one of those names that people who read about time travel theory get to know well. The description says:
"This is a book about the meaning of time, what it is, when it has started, how it flows and where to. It examines the consequences of Einstein's theory of relativity and offers startling suggestions about what recent research may reveal."
This about sums it up. Davies takes us through a rabbit hole of fascinating theory and current knowledge of related Physics that is easy to ...more
"This is a book about the meaning of time, what it is, when it has started, how it flows and where to. It examines the consequences of Einstein's theory of relativity and offers startling suggestions about what recent research may reveal."
This about sums it up. Davies takes us through a rabbit hole of fascinating theory and current knowledge of related Physics that is easy to ...more
For those of us who couldnt grasp quantum physics or physics itself in school, this book is a joy. After I read this book I saw existence, time and my reality forever changed.
I bought this book in 1999, as I graduated from college; somehow I never quite got around to reading it until this month, over a decade later. So I've hauled it from home to home and state to state, through a Ph.D. program and childbearing and all sorts of other changes. I'm glad I finally read it.
About Time is engaging and thought provoking. That Ph.D. is in English literature, so I am ill-positioned to comment on the quality of the science and analysis here (aka, is it true/correct/accurate?). ...more
About Time is engaging and thought provoking. That Ph.D. is in English literature, so I am ill-positioned to comment on the quality of the science and analysis here (aka, is it true/correct/accurate?). ...more
Maybe 5 stars. I research Time, I read physics books about Time, but I should have read Davies' book first. He writes so CLEARLY, is so well-organized, so thorough. I like the "cynic" Q&A method he used at times, the way he might introduce a topic on one level and then, after including additional research in subsequent chapters, return to the topic with greater detail. He managed to do all this without equations, keeping it at a comprehensible level throughout, merging the philosophical with
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A very pleasant science book for noon scientists.
I really enjoyed it.
I'm aware of latest science advance, without being a scientist myself. Meaning that i get the ideas, and i can understand new concepts if enough explained. Calculations are not for me.
I do not agree with the many universe interpretations, but i still elbowed the book.
There are not many books about the conceot of time. Actually this is the only one i could find. Excepting Einstein
I really enjoyed it.
I'm aware of latest science advance, without being a scientist myself. Meaning that i get the ideas, and i can understand new concepts if enough explained. Calculations are not for me.
I do not agree with the many universe interpretations, but i still elbowed the book.
There are not many books about the conceot of time. Actually this is the only one i could find. Excepting Einstein
A well written book on the concept of time as it has developed, with a special emphasis on Einstein's space-time and relativity theory. Another plus for this work is that it is philosophically literate - a very rare attribute for scientists who often just don't get philosophy or are so consumed by arrogance as to believe they can make it up as they go along, something they would never do in their scientific work. A very thoughtful book as has become a Paul Davies standard.
Probably more of a 3.5. Although it is a bit dated, I found this book quite interesting, and it helped me understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity and it's relation to perceptions of time (as well as other theories and operations). I must admit, however, that the last third of the book lost me. I imagine that is more my fault than the authors.
There were a few interesting parts, but I felt that it was not worth the time I spent with it.
An excellent book that we all should read because everyone of us are affected by time. Knowing time should be made a necessity.
Does a very good job of explaining arcane concepts in everyday language and high school math.
Great book, a really fascinating insight into the differing concepts of time. It leaves you with even more questions than answers, but thats a good thing!
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the theme of the book is "What is time?".
It's the physical and philosophy theme.
It's the physical and philosophy theme.
Whatever time is, is really confusing. Just now, it occurred to me while reading this book that we don't have an organ for time. Is inane in us?
This book has it all. Great read.
Aug 27, 2012
Armand
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
People who want to learn more about the physics of space-time and relativity.
Previous to reading Paul Davies' About Time, I had seen a few documentaries (like PBS' Fabric of the Cosmos) on astrophysics and Time, so I was aware of the some of the fundamentals, but About Time really helped me get a formal grasp of the whole picture of Time (which- it turns out- might not exist at all).
Davies does a nice job of building sections/ chapters around specific questions that amateurs like me might want to see addressed (like :"Is time a physical process?"; "Can time ever run ...more
Davies does a nice job of building sections/ chapters around specific questions that amateurs like me might want to see addressed (like :"Is time a physical process?"; "Can time ever run ...more
This alternatively enlightened me, confused me, and terrified me: no mean feat for a science book. While I find the author's style to be good enough, I do feel that he doesn't always succeed in his primary mission, which is to explain the concepts in a layman's enough way. About half of what I understand was intelligible because I already have some exposure to physics and to these specific topics, but I fear would've been over the head for a more casual reader (though who knows if such a person
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This is an extremely interesting book. The scientific content is explained clearly and in simple terms, but when it comes to drawing philosophical conclusions from the available data the work would benefit from significantly longer discussion of what concepts like 'time' actually mean. Often, conclusions are drawn about 'time' but the concept is never adequately defined. Thus, it sometimes seems as if the author is eschewing the concept altogether, but a closer reading reveals that in fact only
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The author writes in a comprehensible manner that is both engaging and informative that leaves you wanting to read more of his work.The book is mainly dedicated to the modern history of Physics with a bit of Cognitive Psychology thrown in towards the end.I found he elucidates theories very thoroughly and does not shy away from giving examples from several different viewpoints on the same process.
Even though this book is a few years older than ones I had read recently in the same area,it still ...more
Even though this book is a few years older than ones I had read recently in the same area,it still ...more
An interesting if somewhat dry read on the concept of time. Does the universe have a beginning and an end? Is time an illusion? Can we travel backward in time? Some of the passages will give you those "I never thought of it that way" moments; others seemed better suited for a scientific journal. But the history is enjoyable, and there are light moments. For example:
There was a young lady named Bright
whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day, in a relative way,
and returned on the ...more
There was a young lady named Bright
whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day, in a relative way,
and returned on the ...more
A very interesting book that gives an overview of time as it relates to philosophy, Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum physics and human consciousness. Though many of these subjects are very complex, Davies discusses them in a manner that is understandable without oversimplifying things. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys talking about time in any context.
Thought provoking. You will never look at time the same... it's all relative. Love the way Paul Davies writes to his target audience. Davies explains the link between light and gravity in simple everyday terms. As he moves through history you get a glimpse of how different scientists perceived time in their own field of study. Very well written. Best of all- no math required.
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Paul Charles William Davies AM is a British-born physicist, writer and broadcaster, currently a professor at Arizona State University as well as the Director of BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. He has held previous academic appointments at the University of Cambridge, University of London, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Adelaide and Macquarie University. His
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“When I was a child, I often used to lie awake at night, in fearful anticipation of some unpleasant event the following day, such as a visit to the dentist, and wish I could press some sort of button that would have the effect of instantly transporting me twenty-four hours into the future. The following night, I would wonder whether that magic button was in fact real, and that the trick had indeed worked. After all, it was twenty-four hours later, and though I could remember the visit to the dentist, it was, at that time, only a memory of an experience, not an experience.”
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“Until now, I've been writing about "now" as if it were literally an instant of time, but of course human faculties are not infinitely precise. It is simplistic to suppose that physical events and mental events march along exactly in step, with the stream of "actual moments" in the outside world and the stream of conscious awareness of them perfectly synchronized. The cinema industry depends on the phenomenon that what seems to us a movie is really a succession of still pictures, running at twenty-five [sic] frames per second. We don't notice the joins. Evidently the "now" of our conscious awareness stretches over at least 1/25 of a second.
In fact, psychologists are convinced it can last a lot longer than that. Take he familiar "tick-tock" of the clock. Well, the clock doesn't go "tick-tock" at all; it goes "tick-tick," every tick producing the same sound. It's just that our consciousness runs two successive ticks into a singe "tick-tock" experience—but only if the duration between ticks is less than about three seconds. A really bug pendulum clock just goes "tock . . . tock . . . tock," whereas a bedside clock chatters away: "ticktockticktock..." Two to three seconds seems to be the duration over which our minds integrate sense data into a unitary experience, a fact reflected in the structure of human music and poetry.”
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In fact, psychologists are convinced it can last a lot longer than that. Take he familiar "tick-tock" of the clock. Well, the clock doesn't go "tick-tock" at all; it goes "tick-tick," every tick producing the same sound. It's just that our consciousness runs two successive ticks into a singe "tick-tock" experience—but only if the duration between ticks is less than about three seconds. A really bug pendulum clock just goes "tock . . . tock . . . tock," whereas a bedside clock chatters away: "ticktockticktock..." Two to three seconds seems to be the duration over which our minds integrate sense data into a unitary experience, a fact reflected in the structure of human music and poetry.”
