Einstein's Brainchild: Relativity Made Relatively Easy!

by Barry Parker, Lori Scoffield-Beer (Illustrator)

Physicist and popular science writer Barry Parker speaks to the broadest possible audience in bringing Einstein's theories to life. Given the fervent renewed appreciation for the contributions Albert Einstein has bestowed on humanity, Parker thinks it only right to dedicate a book to explaining in the clearest possible terms the meaning and beauty of Einstein's theories.While tracing the story of Einstein's life, Parker seizes on the crucial groundbreaking theories that Einstein envisioned. Not since Isaac Newton had anyone conceived the universe in such a revolutionary, startling new way. Through Parker's eloquence, eye for detail, and clever use of Einsteinian cartoons and vivid illustrations, he enables the reader to see and appreciate for perhaps the first time the full meaning and scope of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and General Theory of Relativity.Parker then guides the reader to the next step in Einstein's the possibility of time travel. In exploring the fascinating implications of Einstein's thought, Parker treats us to the experience of discovering a black hole, traversing curved spacetime, and greeting our much younger twin who has just returned from a long and arduous spaceflight.Parker's incomparable gift for language captures Einstein's uniqueness, singular brilliance, and stunning theories. The clarity of the writing coupled with the many illustrations will drive home the point why so many consider Einstein to be the greatest scientist who ever lived and Time magazine named Albert Einstein "Person of the Century."

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics

280 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's another book I read that showed Einstein explaining his theory via a cartoon, as if to make it easier to understand. Not. Abstract math, theory, physics is never easy to comprehend, but at least some try to make it easier on the layperson. I never got my mind fully wrapped around the theory but close enough for horse shoes. And that's the important thing here. Not being able to go to MIT and explain it but understand it enough so that you can relate to it and relate it to others to see if all that relating is needed and necessary to your life / existence. Isn't that what it's all about? Hoky Poky!

[Saurabha Thakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that ive read this one, I feel a strong urge to revisit Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, John Gribbin, Michio K and others
This book shd be a primer for all those who indulge in "recreational physics"

[Walt · Rating 2 out of 5]

An attempt at a very fundamental introduction to Relativity Theory. Misses the mark sometimes but then, the subject is not easy to explain.

[Matt Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best primer to Einstein and relativity I've ever seen.