An engaging popular history of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, taking in the sheer magnificence of its discovery, as well as the infighting that the theory sparked across a century.
An engaging popular history of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, taking in the sheer magnificence of its discovery, as well as the infighting that the theory sparked across a century.
Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement in modern physics. Anything that involves gravity, the force that powers everything on the largest, hottest or densest of scales, can be explained by it.
From the moment Einstein first proposed the theory in 1915, it was received with enthusiasm yet also with tremendous resistance, and for the following ninety years was the source of a series of feuds, vendettas, ideological battles and persecutions featuring a colourful cast of characters.
A gripping, vividly told story, A Perfect Theory entangles itself with the flashpoints of modern history and is the first complete popular history of the theory, showing how it has informed our understanding of exactly what the universe is made of and how much is still undiscovered: from the work of the giant telescopes in the deserts of Chile to our newest ideas about black holes and the Large Hadron Collider deep under French and Swiss soil.
Prof Ferreira is an outstanding storyteller, and the tales here reveal more about how science really works than any number of textbooks BBC Focus
Raised in Portugal and Britain, Pedro G. Ferreira arrived at Oxford University in 2000, by way of London, Berkeley and CERN. For over twenty-five years he has worked on the frontline of general relativity and cosmology research. Now forty-five, he is Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University.
Über den Autor
Raised in Portugal and Britain, Pedro G. Ferreira arrived at Oxford University in 2000, by way of London, Berkeley and CERN. For over twenty-five years he has worked on the frontline of general relativity and cosmology research. Now forty-five, he is Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University.
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'An enthralling account' Sir Roger Penrose
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 Einstein's iconic theory of general relativity, showing us where it started, where it has led, and where it can still take us.
In this sweeping narrative of science and culture, astrophysicist Pedro G. Ferreira brings general relativity to life through the story of the brilliant physicists, mathematicians and astronomers who have taken up its challenge.
'Even readers with zero scientific background will enjoy this finely written survey of one of the greatest of recent scientific endeavours' Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal
'Pedro brings to life the awesome story of one of humanity's greatest achievements' Janna Levin
'A perfect guide for this most beloved branch of modern physics' Wall Street Journal
'An outstanding storyteller' BBC Focus
