After completing the final version of his general theory of relativity in November 1915, Albert Einstein wrote Relativity. Intended for a popular audience, the book remains one of the most lucid explanations of the special and general theories ever written. This edition of Einstein鈥檚 celebrated book features an authoritative English translation of the text along with commentaries by Hanoch Gutfreund and J眉rgen Renn that examine the evolution of Einstein鈥檚 thinking and cast his ideas in a modern context. Providing invaluable insight into one of the greatest scientific minds of all time, the book also includes a unique survey of the introductions from past editions, covers from selected early editions, a letter from Walther Rathenau to Einstein discussing the book, and a revealing sample from Einstein鈥檚 original handwritten manuscript.
Hanoch Gutfreund is professor emeritus of theoretical physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he is also the academic director of the Albert Einstein Archives. J眉rgen Renn is a director at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. His books include The Genesis of General Relativity.
"This authoritative centenary edition is a fitting tribute to Einstein鈥檚 efforts to make his concepts accessible鈥攊n turn, helping to raise the profile of basic science and modern physics on a global scale."鈥擬ary Craig, Nature
鈥淭his new edition of Einstein鈥檚 popular presentation of both special and general relativity is a joy to read. Over the past hundred years, relativity has been brought to the public in many forms鈥攎agazines, books, documentaries鈥攂ut there鈥檚 nothing quite like being guided through one of the most profound scientific insights of all time by the master himself.鈥濃�擝rian Greene, Columbia University
鈥淭his book is not only an important historical document, but displays the style and clarity of Einstein鈥檚 thought in a manner accessible to a wide readership. It鈥檚 good that it is being reissued in this fine new edition to mark the centenary of his greatest insights.鈥濃�擬artin Rees, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and Astronomer Royal
鈥淸Relativity] conjures Einstein as the oracle presenting a theory to the world鈥攐ne of the most revolutionary and profound theories of all time.鈥濃�擯edro Ferreira, Nature
鈥淣obody is better at explaining relativity than Einstein himself. . . . This 100th anniversary edition is complemented by commentary from Gutfreund and Renn, who clarify some key points and add historical perspective, making Einstein鈥檚 own words even more accessible and meaningful.鈥濃�擳om Siegfried, Science News
鈥淎 reading companion to make Einstein鈥檚 thinking clearer to present-day readers.鈥濃�擬ike Perricone, Symmetry
