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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
The booklet was written by an eminent scientist in 1920, using the style of language of that era, with some long sentences that science writers of the time were prone to use. Conveniently, some words used, e.g. "perihelion" can be looked up in the dictionary that is free with the Kindle.
It was written only a year after the first experimental confirmation of Einstein's theories of relativity and so when Lorentz wrote "If his theory is correct as it stands, there ought, in a gravitational field, to be a displacement of the lines of the spectrum towards the red. No such effect has been discovered" he should probably have added the word "yet". In the more than 90 years since the book was published, this movement of the spectral lines due to gravity has been confirmed.
The book introduces you to Einstein himself and some of the scientific questions of his time, Einstein's radically different approach to them, a summary of the predicted effects of relativity and then some of the experiments that had been performed to confirm them. Non-mathematicians can rest assured there is not a single equation in the book.
Those familiar with accurately plotting a position will be familiar with degrees (°), minutes (') and seconds (") of arc where 1 second of arc is one 3,600th of a degree and thus a VERY small angle. Seconds of arc are referred to several times, but one typo uses ' instead of ". However, it is obvious from the context that Lorentz meant these very tiny angles called seconds rather than minutes of arc. I don't feel this detracts from the book at all.
I read the book at a single sitting and since it now 8:30 p.m. and I haven't yet had dinner, in my opinion it makes a good read!
It was written only a year after the first experimental confirmation of Einstein's theories of relativity and so when Lorentz wrote "If his theory is correct as it stands, there ought, in a gravitational field, to be a displacement of the lines of the spectrum towards the red. No such effect has been discovered" he should probably have added the word "yet". In the more than 90 years since the book was published, this movement of the spectral lines due to gravity has been confirmed.
The book introduces you to Einstein himself and some of the scientific questions of his time, Einstein's radically different approach to them, a summary of the predicted effects of relativity and then some of the experiments that had been performed to confirm them. Non-mathematicians can rest assured there is not a single equation in the book.
Those familiar with accurately plotting a position will be familiar with degrees (°), minutes (') and seconds (") of arc where 1 second of arc is one 3,600th of a degree and thus a VERY small angle. Seconds of arc are referred to several times, but one typo uses ' instead of ". However, it is obvious from the context that Lorentz meant these very tiny angles called seconds rather than minutes of arc. I don't feel this detracts from the book at all.
I read the book at a single sitting and since it now 8:30 p.m. and I haven't yet had dinner, in my opinion it makes a good read!
71 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you've ever wondered what Einstein's Theory of Relativity is all about, but have been unprepared to delve into wordy, in-depth, specialised tomes; then I would certainly recommend this short introduction prepared by `H.A. Lorentz'.
The science has been reduced to its bare bones and whilst certainly incisive and technical in its approach, is fairly accessible to the novice. Intellectually stimulating, this is a fascinating subject area which unites physics, gravity and the properties of light.
Einstein was a genius who worked on some of the most complex scientific problems of his age. This introduction is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with one of his crowning achievements without drowning in a sea of incomprehensible science!
The science has been reduced to its bare bones and whilst certainly incisive and technical in its approach, is fairly accessible to the novice. Intellectually stimulating, this is a fascinating subject area which unites physics, gravity and the properties of light.
Einstein was a genius who worked on some of the most complex scientific problems of his age. This introduction is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with one of his crowning achievements without drowning in a sea of incomprehensible science!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I downloaded this for free, intending to educate myself a little further and perhaps learn some history about Einstein the man at the same time. It is a decent introduction to the man and the theory, although it was written nearly a hundred years ago and the language can prove to be something of a barrier. I had to look several scientific AND non-scientific words up in the Kindle dictionary! It is quite wordy and there is an excessive amount of opinion in the narrative (a page may have 2 or 3 actual bits of information and the rest is phrasing and opinion). The subject matter itself is fairly easy to understand to an interested amateur.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
good, short, free book
A quick read. I had to read it four or five times to understand it fully even though the explanations were good. I am dense I suppose. For £0. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Brooks
Say what?
I got this to make myself look smart...alas, all I did was confirm that I am indeed of low intelligence. At least I know the Sun still revolves around the Earth!
Published 1 month ago by Marc Le'Strange
Prof John Cook Phd
I found the book unilluminating and it gave little or no insight into Einstein's theory. The book simply dealt with the subject in parrot fashion and I believe demonstrated that... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Juan Cocinero
Great bedtime reading.
This is a wonderful book to read in bed, discussing the finer points of relativity with your partner and cat. Strongly recommended.
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Riaz Ali
Einstein theory of Relativity
I amm sure the account of Einstein's theory in this book is rigorous- it is written by a respected scientist. Read more
Published 11 months ago by pod
A short paper of some interest
A short review of some historical interest; discussion of the astronomical demonstration of Einstein's general theory, plus a short discussion on the aether. Read more
Published 14 months ago by S. Brown
free!!!!
downloaded this as a freebie for my kindle which i recieved for xmas off my fella! not read it as yet but intend to soon.
Published 16 months ago by Ms. A. Mileham
I need to read this again... and again...
It's been a good few years since I've read something that's taxed me. Stephen Hawking's book did the same to me. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Wannabe Deadlifter
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"Till now it was believed that time and space existed by themselves, even if there was nothing else--no sun, no earth, no stars--while now we know that time and space are not the vessel for the universe, but could not exist at all if there were no contents, namely, no sun, earth and other celestial bodies.
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difform motion will in every case produce the same effects as gravitation.
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