Einstein A Hundred Years of Relativity

by Robinson, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780810959231
• ISBN10: 0810959232
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Summary

"Albert Einstein's universal appeal is only partially explained by his brilliant work in physics, as Andrew Robinson shows in this authoritative, accessible, illustrated biography. The book presents clearly the beautiful simplicity at the heart of Einstein's greatest discoveries, and explains how his ideas have continued to influence scientific developments, such as the big bang, lasers and "theories of everything". It also discusses his life and activities outside of science, including encounters with famous contemporaries such as Chaplin, Roosevelt, and Tagore, his love of music, and his troubled family life. His striking originality was expressed in many ways, from his political and humanitarian campaigns against nuclear weapons, anti-Semitism, McCarthyism, and social injustices, to his unconventional personal appearance." "The main narrative is augmented by eleven essays written by scientists and scholars, and Einstein's own voice is present throughout in the form of extracts from his writings and speeches, including his own account of his intellectual development."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

Preface	8	(4)
Freeman Dyson
Part One: The Physicist
The World of Physics Before Einstein	12	(20)
Autobiographical Notes	26	(6)
Albert Einstein
The Making of a Physicist	32	(20)
A Brief History of Relativity	42	(10)
Stephen Hawking
The Miraculous Year, 1905	52	(14)
General Relativity	66	(16)
Varying c: Vodka Without Alcohol?	78	(4)
Joao Magueijo
Arguing About Quantum Theory	82	(13)
The Search for a Theory of Everything	95	(14)
Einstein's Search for Unification	102	(7)
Steven Weinberg
Physics Since Einstein	109	(21)
Einstein's Scientific Legacy	122	(8)
Philip Anderson
Part Two: The Man
The Most Famous Man in the World	130	(10)
Personal and Family Life	140	(16)
Einstein's Love Letters	150	(3)
Robert Schulmann
Einstein and Music	153	(3)
Philip Glass
Germany, War and Pacifism	156	(10)
America	166	(10)
Zionism, the Holocaust and Israel	176	(15)
Einstein on Religion, Judaism and Zionism	185	(6)
Max Jammer
Nuclear Saint and Demon	191	(16)
Einstein's Quest for Global Peace	202	(5)
Joseph Rotblat
The End of an Era	207	(19)
Einstein's Last Interview	212	(14)
Bernard Cohen
Einstein's Enduring Magic	226	(14)
Einstein: Twentieth-Century Icon	235	(5)
Arthur C. Clarke
Chronology of Einstein's Life	240	(1)
Sources of Quotations	241	(6)
Bibliography	247	(1)
Acknowledgements	248	(1)
Contributors	249	(1)
Index	250	(5)
Credits	255