The perfect theory : a century of geniuses and the battle over general relativity

**How did one elegant theory incite a scientific revolution?** Physicists have been exploring, debating, and questioning the general theory of relativity ever since Albert Einstein first presented it in 1915. Their work has uncovered a number of the universe’s more surprising secrets, and many believe further wonders remain hidden within the theory’s tangle of equations, waiting to be exposed. In this sweeping narrative of science and culture, astrophysicist Pedro Ferreira brings general relativity to life through the story of the brilliant physicists, mathematicians, and astronomers who have taken up its challenge. For these scientists, the theory has been both a treasure trove and an enigma, fueling a century of intellectual struggle and triumph.. Einstein’s theory, which explains the relationships among gravity, space, and time, is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics, yet studying it has always been a controversial endeavor. Relativists were the target of persecution in Hitler’s Germany, hounded in Stalin’s Russia, and disdained in 1950s America. Even today, PhD students are warned that specializing in general relativity will make them unemployable. Despite these pitfalls, general relativity has flourished, delivering key insights into our understanding of the origin of time and the evolution of all the stars and galaxies in the cosmos. Its adherents have revealed what lies at the farthest reaches of the universe, shed light on the smallest scales of existence, and explained how the fabric of reality emerges. Dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and string theory are all progeny of Einstein’s theory. 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 general relativity, showing us where it started, where it has led, and where it can still take us. At The Core Of Einstein's General Theory Of Relativity Are A Set Of Equations That Explain The Relationship Among Gravity, Space, And Time--possibly The Most Perfect Intellectual Achievement Of Modern Physics. For Over A Century, Physicists Have Been Exploring, Debating, And At Times Neglecting Einstein's Theory In Their Quest To Uncover The History Of The Universe, The Origin Of Time, And The Evolution Of Solar Systems, Stars, And Galaxies. In This Sweeping Narrative Of Science And Culture, Pedro Ferreira Explains The Theory Through The Human Drama Surrounding It: The Personal Feuds And Intellectual Battles Of The Biggest Names In Twentieth-century Physics, From Einstein And Eddington To Hawking And 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 Engagingly Reveals The Greater Relevance Of General Relativity, Showing Us Where It Started, Where It Has Led, And Where It Can Still Take Us-- Prologue -- If A Person Falls Freely -- The Most Valuable Discovery -- Correct Mathematics, Abominable Physics -- Collapsing Stars -- Completely Cuckoo -- Radio Days -- Wheelerisms -- Singularities -- Unification Woes -- Seeing Gravity -- The Dark Universe -- The End Of Spacetime -- A Spectacular Extrapolation -- Something Is Going To Happen. Pedro G. Ferreira. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 258-269) And Index. "At the core of Einstein's general theory of relativity are a set of equations that explain the relationship among gravity, space, and time--possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics. For over a century, physicists have been exploring, debating, and at times neglecting Einstein's theory in their quest to uncover the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of solar systems, stars, and galaxies. In this sweeping narrative of science and culture, Pedro Ferreira explains the theory through the human drama surrounding it: the personal feuds and intellectual battles of the biggest names in twentieth-century physics, from Einstein and Eddington to Hawking and 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 engagingly reveals the greater relevance of general relativity, showing us where it started, where it has led, and where it can still take us"-- Résumé de l'éditeur "At the core of Einstein's general theory of relativity are a set of equations that explain the relationship among gravity, space, and time--possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics. For over a century, physicists have been exploring, debating, and at times neglecting Einstein's theory in their quest to uncover the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of solar systems, stars, and galaxies. In this sweeping narrative of science and culture, Pedro Ferreira explains the theory through the human drama surrounding it: the personal feuds and intellectual battles of the biggest names in twentieth-century physics, from Einstein and Eddington to Hawking and 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 engagingly reveals the greater relevance of general relativity, showing us where it started, where it has led, and where it can still take us"-- Provided by publisher