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Relativity: The Special And The General Theory
The Special and the General Theory is a groundbreaking scientific work written by Albert Einstein, one of the most renowned physicists of all time. Published in 1915, the book revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. Relativity remains a cornerstone of modern physics and a testament to Einstein’ s intellectual brilliance.
Provides a comprehensive exploration of both the special theory of relativity and the general theory of relativity. Concepts are explained in a logical and concise manner, enhancing the reader's comprehension. Offers readers a fresh perspective on the fundamental principles that govern our reality. Delve into the mind of Einstein and understand the ideas that reshaped our understanding of the universe. Allows readers to engage with the timeless concepts that underpin our current scientific understanding.
Provides a comprehensive exploration of both the special theory of relativity and the general theory of relativity. Concepts are explained in a logical and concise manner, enhancing the reader's comprehension. Offers readers a fresh perspective on the fundamental principles that govern our reality. Delve into the mind of Einstein and understand the ideas that reshaped our understanding of the universe. Allows readers to engage with the timeless concepts that underpin our current scientific understanding.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published December 6, 2023
237 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Albert Einstein
894 books9,652 followersSpecial and general theories of relativity of German-born American theoretical physicist Albert Einstein revolutionized modern thought on the nature of space and time and formed a base for the exploitation of atomic energy; he won a Nobel Prize of 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
His paper of 1905 formed the basis of electronics. His first paper, also published in 1905, changed the world.
He completed his Philosophiae Doctor at the University of Zurich before 1909.
Einstein, a pacifist during World War I, stayed a firm proponent of social justice and responsibility.
Einstein thought that Newtonion mechanics no longer enough reconciled the laws of classical mechanics with those of the electromagnetic field. This thought led to the development. He recognized, however, that he ably also extended the principle to gravitational fields and with his subsequent theory of gravitation in 1916 published a paper. He continued to deal with problems of statistical mechanics and quantum theory, which led to his explanations of particle theory and the motion of molecules. He also investigated the thermal properties of light, which laid the foundation of the photon.
Best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, dubbed "the world's most famous equation," he received "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory.
He visited the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 and went not back to Germany. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter, alerting Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president, to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the United States begin similar research. This recommendation eventually led to the Manhattan project. Einstein supported defending the Allied forces but largely denounced the idea of using the newly discovered nuclear fission as a weapon. Later, with Bertrand Russell–Einstein manifesto highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons.
After the rise of the Nazi party, Einstein made Princeton his permanent home as a citizen of United States in 1940. He chaired the emergency committee of atomic scientists, which organized to alert the public to the dangers of warfare.
At a symposium, he advised:
("Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium," published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941).
In a letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind, dated 3 January 1954, Einstein stated:
(The Guardian, "Childish superstition: Einstein's letter makes view of religion relatively clear," by James Randerson, May 13, 2008)
Great intellectual achievements and originality made the word "Einstein" synonymous with genius.
The institute for advanced study in Princeton, New Jersey, affiliated Einstein until his death in 1955.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_E...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobe
His paper of 1905 formed the basis of electronics. His first paper, also published in 1905, changed the world.
He completed his Philosophiae Doctor at the University of Zurich before 1909.
Einstein, a pacifist during World War I, stayed a firm proponent of social justice and responsibility.
Einstein thought that Newtonion mechanics no longer enough reconciled the laws of classical mechanics with those of the electromagnetic field. This thought led to the development. He recognized, however, that he ably also extended the principle to gravitational fields and with his subsequent theory of gravitation in 1916 published a paper. He continued to deal with problems of statistical mechanics and quantum theory, which led to his explanations of particle theory and the motion of molecules. He also investigated the thermal properties of light, which laid the foundation of the photon.
Best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, dubbed "the world's most famous equation," he received "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory.
He visited the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 and went not back to Germany. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter, alerting Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president, to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the United States begin similar research. This recommendation eventually led to the Manhattan project. Einstein supported defending the Allied forces but largely denounced the idea of using the newly discovered nuclear fission as a weapon. Later, with Bertrand Russell–Einstein manifesto highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons.
After the rise of the Nazi party, Einstein made Princeton his permanent home as a citizen of United States in 1940. He chaired the emergency committee of atomic scientists, which organized to alert the public to the dangers of warfare.
At a symposium, he advised:
"In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up the doctrine of a personal God, that is, give up that source of fear and hope which in the past placed such vast power in the hands of priests. In their labors they will have to avail themselves of those forces which are capable of cultivating the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in humanity itself. This is, to be sure a more difficult but an incomparably more worthy task... "
("Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium," published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941).
In a letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind, dated 3 January 1954, Einstein stated:
"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."
(The Guardian, "Childish superstition: Einstein's letter makes view of religion relatively clear," by James Randerson, May 13, 2008)
Great intellectual achievements and originality made the word "Einstein" synonymous with genius.
The institute for advanced study in Princeton, New Jersey, affiliated Einstein until his death in 1955.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_E...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobe
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2025
Albert Einstein's contributions to physics and science are immeasurable. His theory of Special and General Relativity reshaped the way we look at the Universe and built upon the theories of his contemporaries and other extraordinary minds, including Isaac Newton. The concepts that included gravity and the constant rate of the speed of light helped redefine space as a Space-Time fabric. It helped shape new perspectives on how we view the Solar System and how planets revolve and light travels through space. This book explains these concepts in a way the general public can understand.
My favorite part of this book was the stories of the different translations that occurred after this book was published. When scientists saw how some of the theories were proven through observation, demand for additional translations rose. Interest rose once again for Einstein and his works when Gravitational waves were first directly detected in 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). These waves were created by the collision of two black holes over 1.3 billion years ago. The concepts within this book are interesting and a good foundation for anyone interested in space, physics, or general science.
My favorite part of this book was the stories of the different translations that occurred after this book was published. When scientists saw how some of the theories were proven through observation, demand for additional translations rose. Interest rose once again for Einstein and his works when Gravitational waves were first directly detected in 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). These waves were created by the collision of two black holes over 1.3 billion years ago. The concepts within this book are interesting and a good foundation for anyone interested in space, physics, or general science.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Don't need to know it, therefore, I don't need to finish it.
Objects can only be accurately described in how they operate relative to a reference object.
That's about as far as I can get with the theory.
I'm more curious as to what drew Einstein's interest in physics and what inspired him to write what he did.
What about this subject was so important? What question was he trying to answer? What problem was he trying to solve?
This book does not answer these questions.
Objects can only be accurately described in how they operate relative to a reference object.
That's about as far as I can get with the theory.
I'm more curious as to what drew Einstein's interest in physics and what inspired him to write what he did.
What about this subject was so important? What question was he trying to answer? What problem was he trying to solve?
This book does not answer these questions.
July 13, 2025
I am fascinated with this. It’s just mind-blowing the genius behind this man despite the technology limitations back then. From time relativity to multiverses, it’s just crazy to think how did he came to those theories? Simply genius. Plus, I can’t wait to see technology in the near future helping us to validate these theories and discover new things!
July 28, 2025
Very interesting. I read in short sections to try and digest the topic. There is some math but it is explained in writing as well.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews