Since the publication of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity in
1905, the discovery of such astronomical phenomena as quasars, pulsars,
and black holes -- all intimately connected to relativity -- has
provoked a tremendous upsurge of interest in the subject.This volume, a
revised version of Martin Gardner's earlier Relativity for the
Million, brings this fascinating topic up to date. Witty, perceptive,
and easily accessible to the general reader, it is one of the clearest
and most entertaining introductions to relativity ever written.
Mr. Gardner offers lucid explanations of not only the special and
general theories of relativity, but of the Michelson-Morley experiment,
gravity and spacetime, Mach's principle, the twin paradox, models of the
universe, and other topics. A new Postscript, examining the latest
developments in the field, and specially written for this edition, is
also included.
The clarity of the text is especially enhanced by the brilliant graphics
of Anthony Ravielli, making this by far the best layman's account of
this difficult subject. -- Christian Science Monitor.