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Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition cover art

Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition

By: Richard Wolfson,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Richard Wolfson
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Summary

"It doesn't take an Einstein to understand modern physics," says Professor Wolfson at the outset of these twenty-four lectures on what may be the most important subjects in the universe: relativity and quantum physics. Both have reputations for complexity. But the basic ideas behind them are, in fact, simple and comprehensible by anyone. These dynamic and illuminating lectures begin with a brief overview of theories of physical reality starting with Aristotle and culminating in Newtonian or "classical" physics. After that, you'll follow along as Professor Wolfson outlines the logic that led to Einstein's profound theory of special relativity and the simple yet far-reaching insight on which it rests. With that insight in mind, you'll move on to consider Einstein's theory of general relativity and its interpretation of gravitation in terms of the curvature of space and time.

From there, you'll embark on a dazzling exploration of how inquiry into matter at the atomic and subatomic scales led to quandaries that are resolved-or at least clarified-by quantum mechanics, a vision of physical reality so profound and so at odds with our experience that it nearly defies language.

By bringing relativity and quantum mechanics into the same picture, you'll chart the development of fascinating hypotheses about the origin, development, and possible futures of the entire universe, as well as the possibility that physics can produce a "theory of everything" to account for all aspects of the physical world. But the goal throughout these lectures remains the same: to present the key ideas of modern physics in a way that makes them clear to the interested layperson.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition

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this is NOT the 2nd edition as advertised

it’s the first original edition. there have been physics developments since then which is why a 2nd edition was released when richard wolfson was about 10 years older. but this is not the new one. just so you know

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59 people found this helpful

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Pitched at just the right level, very engaging.

I've always rather regretted dropping physics at the age that I did, but assumed that my lack of advanced mathematics was probably a barrier to investigating the subject further by myself. I'm ecstatically happy to be proven wrong.

I couldn't really be happier with this course. It seems to be pitched towards an undergraduate non-scientist level, which is to say that it assumes that you don't know any physics already, but *does* assume that you have a few brain cells to rub together. So far so perfect.

The content is no doubt simplified and focused on the conceptual (Advanced physics without maths? How could it not be?), but Professor Wolfson is superb in how he takes the listener through the evolution of various theories in engaging logical steps.

NOTE: There are references throughout the lecture series to occasional diagrams and course materials, which are *not* available for Audible customers to download form the Great Courses website. A quick google search however will usually provide you with similar diagrams if you just throw in the relative topic keywords.

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39 people found this helpful

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l

Good but 20 years out of date. the content included was well presented but constant references to a future already passed proved frustrating

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24 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable and informative, but...

An enjoyable telling of the story of how the physical world works, which should prompt anyone to look for more, not least to look further into the mathematics underpinning it all. The lecturer speaks enthusiastically and quickly and sometimes loses track (entertaining in itself) but topics are well paced and points are repeated and reinforced so you don't have to continually backtrack if your attention strays. Unfortunately this offering is purely audio, with no apparent links to important supplementary visual aids (even the most basic diagrams and equations) which would be available if the audiobook was purchased from the original producer.
This is simply wrong and unfair never mind the (usual) claim that they arent necessary given at the beginning. I'm writing this having studied these topics at undergraduate level - I feel that others are missing out. But as I said in the end it should encourage anyone to look for more elsewhere, which can only be a good sign.

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19 people found this helpful

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Dated

I had seen previous reviews saying that it was an old version but assumed that it had perhaps been updated but it is over 20 years old as, at one stage, he refers to the “new LHC at CERN which will come online in the first decade of the next century”

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Who needs religion when you have such a wonderful scientific real world out there, described so clearly and enthusiastically in these lectures. A real pleasure from beginning to end.

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5 people found this helpful

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The title says it all. Emphasis on non-scientists

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The lectures are well structured and progressive in approach.

What other book might you compare Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition to, and why?

None that I have come across as yet.

Have you listened to any of Professor Richard Wolfson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

It felt a little slow in the first few lectures but as we got further into the subject, as a reader, I found that the repetition of the concepts kept me grounded and I never felt lost. Excellent examples and I found his diction and style to be crystal clear.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very clear, logical and easy to digest

Any additional comments?

These lectures explain the relatively straight forward principals from which flow some very complex and bewildering physics. This is done in a clear and easy to follow way where much of the time the listener is lead to draw the conclusion that the lecturer is about to posit just in advance of it being stated.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wolfson on einstein

Would you try another book written by The Great Courses or narrated by Professor Richard Wolfson?

written by yes

narrated by no

What other book might you compare Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition to, and why?

kaku parallel worlds Deutsch beginning of infinity
same area

What didn’t you like about Professor Richard Wolfson’s performance?

talks far too fast
when excited his voice is too high pitched

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

good content
very disappointed with richard wolfsons presentation

Any additional comments?

a pity to spoil very good very clear content with poor speech/too fast/garbled at times. It becomes a strain to listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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Look forward to listening again

Would you listen to Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition again? Why?

I think listening again will help me understand further this complex subject!

What other book might you compare Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition to, and why?

Perhaps Stephen Hawkings brief history of time

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3 people found this helpful