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Bibliographic Details

Title: The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle over General Relativity
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: 2014
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0547554893
ISBN 13: 9780547554891
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

How did one elegant theory incite a scientific revolution?

Physicists have been exploring, debating, and questioning the general theory of relativity ever since Albert Einstein first presented it in 1915. Their work has uncovered a number of the universe&;s more surprising secrets, and many believe further wonders remain hidden within the theory&;s tangle of equations, waiting to be exposed. In this sweeping narrative of science and culture, astrophysicist Pedro Ferreira brings general relativity to life through the story of the brilliant physicists, mathematicians, and astronomers who have taken up its challenge. For these scientists, the theory has been both a treasure trove and an enigma, fueling a century of intellectual struggle and triumph..

Einstein&;s theory, which explains the relationships among gravity, space, and time, is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics, yet studying it has always been a controversial endeavor. Relativists were the target of persecution in Hitler&;s Germany, hounded in Stalin&;s Russia, and disdained in 1950s America. Even today, PhD students are warned that specializing in general relativity will make them unemployable.

Despite these pitfalls, general relativity has flourished, delivering key insights into our understanding of the origin of time and the evolution of all the stars and galaxies in the cosmos. Its adherents have revealed what lies at the farthest reaches of the universe, shed light on the smallest scales of existence, and explained how the fabric of reality emerges. Dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and string theory are all progeny of Einstein&;s theory.

We are in the midst of a momentous transformation in modern physics. As scientists look farther and more clearly into space than ever before, The Perfect Theory reveals the greater relevance of general relativity, showing us where it started, where it has led, and where it can still take us.

From the Back Cover

The Perfect Theory is a rollicking good read. We watch as Einstein s brilliant successors struggle and squabble about everything from black holes to quantum gravity. With crisp explanations and narrative flair, Ferreira offers us a fun, fresh take on a magnificent part of modern science.

Steven Strogatz, Schurman Professor of Applied Mathematics, Cornell University, author of The Joy of x

Einstein s generaltheory of relativity was the greatest of his many contributions to physics, but surprisingly little has been written about how the subject blossomed after his death, with profound implications for current cosmology and astrophysics. Pedro Ferreira provides an enthralling account of the ideas and personalities of those involved.

Sir Roger Penrose, Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford, author of The Road to Reality

Pedro Ferreira portrays a community ensnared by a single great idea. With vivid detail, he brings to life the awesome story of one of humanity s greatest achievements.

Janna Levin, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Barnard College/Columbia University, author of How the Universe Got Its Spots

Einstein s general relativity is a theory of unrivaled elegance and simplicity. But the history of general relativity is messy, unpredictable, and occasionally dramatic. Pedro Ferreira is an expert guide to the twists and turns scientists have gone through in a quest to understand space and time.

Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist, author of The Particle at the End of the Universe

A fascinating introduction to our present understanding of space, time, and gravity, and to the confusion about how to go about finding a still better theory.

P. James Peebles, Albert Einstein Professor Emeritus of Science, Princeton University

Einstein s beautiful theory is now, more than ever, one of the liveliest frontiers of science, and crucial to our understanding of the cosmos. Pedro Ferreira describes, accessibly and nontechnically, how the key breakthroughs have been made, and the personalities who made them.

Lord Martin Rees, Great Britain s Astronomer Royal, author of Just Six Numbers

You couldn t ask for a better guide to the outer reaches of the universe and the inner workings of the minds of those who ve navigated it.

Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, University of Oxford, author of The Music of the Primes

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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