The Theory of Relativity and Other Essays

by Einstein

Here is a collection of Einstein's most important writings on physics. Although dealing with subjects that are initially difficult for most people to comprehend, in these seven essays Einstein reduces the complex to its essentials by presenting his material in a clear and readable manner. Step by step, he guides the reader through the logical processes he followed as he developed the theory of relativity, continually adding his own impressions of science and its concepts. It is in this way that we are allowed a glimpse inside the mind of this brilliant man.

In these seven essays, Einstein reveals the meaning of:

the theory of relativity and E=mc2
physics and reality
the fundamentals of theoretical physics
the common language of science
the laws of science and the laws of ethics, and
an elementary derivation of the equivalence of mass and energy

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Popular Science, Philosophy, Classics, Science Nature

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Not to be confused with Albert Einstein

Reviews

[Jonathan Donihue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was quite a trek. It was inspiring and thought providing and I think I understood the majority of it. As to that last point, I'm not sure.

Einstein's writing is deceptively simple, at times. He says something that, at first glance, seems to be obvious but if you back up and read it again, you find that there's a subtlety that sometimes boggles the mind. The thing that impresses me most, though, is the number of questions he expressed. Most people aren't comfortable admitting that they don't know. They'd rather make something up than let a question go unanswered. This book, on the other hand, left me with more questions than answers. I got the sense that Mr Einstein believed in the mystery in the same way that others believe in God.

In the end, I'm really glad I read this. It wasn't an easy read, but it was a worthwhile one.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Science is the attempt to make the chaotic diversity of our sense-experience to a logically uniform system.”

In these essays Einstein attempts to bring the complexities of high-level theoretic science to the layman. He’s partly successful; I almost understand relativity now. When he starts charts and equations, he loses me.

“Perfection of means and confusion of goals … characterizes our age.”

Written in the 1940s and 50s these article also engage the idea that science is a natural outgrowth of living and has something to contribute, even to ideas like ethics, though Einstein admits, “For the scientist, there is only ‘being,’ but no wishing, no value, no good, no evil, no goal.”

“Truth is what stands the test of experience.”

[Neeramitra Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense but worth wrestling with if you're naturally curious and inquisitive.

Talks about the time dilation, space dilation, the relative nature of time+space, and a bunch of other concepts (many of which will go over your head the first time you read them)

[Anuraag Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously over my head. Obviously a pivotal work in the field of physics. Here's what I got:

https://thatladywhoreadsalot.wordpres...

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

No easy reading. I had to look up a lot of things.

[Ralph Trickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

More understandable than I expected.

[Athul Nath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most complicated theory in a lucid language.

[cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting essays, famous. i was always curious to see what was actually in them, outside of what i learned from school, pop-culture and the general internet. i felt like these essays were a bit thin, and i would have liked more of the philosophical thinking, especially since the author's mind is such an iconic one, labeled as a genius of modern generations...but, obviously, the collection is of value to the scientific community still.

[Chris Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fuck you Albert Einstein. I think science is cool and thought this would be a good place to start because you literally said in the intro that you wrote this for the average college-educated person. You blow smoke up your own ass about how simple you make this shit, then by page 100 I’m looking at equations with square roots in them and you use W and w as separate variables in the same formula. I just want to figure out how to throw a stone off a train fuck you Albert.

[Dwight Cheuk-a-lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured this book would have been a bit more comprehensive with its explanations. But it really based a lot of its points on other theories and concepts. So without first understanding those theories and concept, this book was just NOT understandable. I really tried my best to get it ... but it escaped me at every turn. So Ill just assume its amazing since so much is based on it.

[Jessada Karnjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

หนังสือรวม 7 บทความสำคัญที่ Einstein เขียนขึ้นมา เพื่ออธิบายความหมายของทฤษฎีสัมพัทธภาพ รวมถึงการตีความและอธิบายความสมการอันโด่งดัง E=MC^2 ของเขา คงไม่เหมาะกับคนทั่วไป ในเล่มยังมี 2 บทความสั้น ๆ ที่ใครก็อ่านได้ คือบทความเรื่อง The Common Language of Science (อันนี้มาจากคำที่ Einstein พูดในงาน Science Conference ที่ลอนดอน ปี 1941) กับ The Laws of Science and The Laws of Ethics

[Sarah Brousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

119/75: The Theory of Relativity and other essays by Albert Einstein. A fascinating read to get me one step closer before the end of the year to an average of 10 books per month. Enhancing my physics knowledge is a must right!?

[Prometheus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, given the subject matter, but for those that need to know; You’ll only really get the full benefit of this book if you’re familiar with differential & integral calculus and geometry. If you are, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone smarter than me: is Einstein essentially arguing for a mathematical explanation of something akin to Parmenides view that nothing changes? That is how it feels when he argues that movement is only viewed relative to everything else.

[Mohammed alkindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting to read a book that is authored by the scientist whose discoveries are still amaze current scientists.

[Mukti Khatun]

my books

[Emily]

Really interesting. Probably understood some of it. “The search for truth is more precious than its expression”.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was listening to audio book, that is a very hard medium to grasp a book like this.

[PeaceOfGod]

@LogicalAayam recommended.

[Danielle Cozzola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick audiobook read. Pretty fascinating stuff!

[Mikey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a easy read but worth it

[Matthew Mechtly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Einstein's explanation of the history of the increasing unification of scientific principles was fascinating. And while I only have an engineering background and didn't understand as much of the relativity or quantum mechanics section, I feel like it was a good introduction to the topic (albeit a bit too mathematical).

I listened to this as an audiobook, which made understanding how the mathematical derivations occurred basically impossible, so if that is something you care about, then read a physical copy.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is epic!! I love it!!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing...

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to the sources. Not bad for a postal clerk.