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

By: Richard Wolfson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Richard Wolfson

"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

Enjoyable lecutre

If you could sum up Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition in three words, what would they be?

To me this lecture was laid out very well. It help to give a nice introduction to modern physic without being too technical. While this is a good thing to not scare away a beginner or someone interested to learn more it lacks the technical information to make the ideas more concrete and less subjective. This is the way it is with any attempt to teach physics to non-scientist, so not a fault of the lecture but it would be great to have a follow up that take us to the next level. It is from 2000 so it is missing some new information but for a basic foundation it is very good. I found Professor Richard Wolfson to be a very good speaker, easy to understand and follow.

Not overly complicated

Very well done. Not overly complicated and very good for causing your mind to expand.

Great Material, Hyper-Caffeinated Reader

Would you consider the audio edition of Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition to be better than the print version?

I appreciate that advanced physics is being presented in an audio format. I give the book five stars for content and organization of complex material.

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

Quantum: Einstein, Bohr and the Debate About the Nature of Reality by Manjit Kumar

Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Richard Wolfson’s performances?

The writing is very good - the delivery is sounds like someone on way too much coffee. I guess he was trying to sound enthusiastic about the material, but I often felt like he was yelling at me! With material of this caliber, we don't need a sell-job. Just slow down, read the material, and trust us to engage with it.

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

No - it's a good book to listen one or two chapters at a time (30-minute chapters).

Any additional comments?

Outstanding content - makes advanced physics accessible. However, Great Courses should coach its readers a bit more - tell them (A) calm down and cut back on the caffeine, and (B) don't try to "sell" the material with fake enthusiasm. Just read it.

Very Cool! Needs the booklet though!!

I’ve always had a hard time wrapping my brain around Relativity. Sure the math makes sense, but picturing it in my mind’s eye just gave me a fuzzy headache! Listening to these lectures it finally CLICKED in my head!
I would give this five stars if it included the companion booklet with the diagrams that he specifically notes is for those with an audiobook! He refers to this missing booklet many times!!!

Best intro to Relativity I've ever heard

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

Maybe, it got its point across very well so I'm likely to move on to harder books.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Wolfson mentions that basically all of special relativity is derived based on the theory that the speed of light is always the same and everything else follows from that. It's really a staggering thought that a single premise as such would affect how time works.