Einstein's Universe

Anthony Zee is a Permanent Member of the Institute for Theoretical Physics and Professor of Physics at the University of California in Santa Barbara. His other books include Fearful Symmetry and The Unity of Forces.

"An extraordinary writer: playful, inspired, and brilliant."--Publishers Weekly"Zee writes with wry, poetic humor.... It's as if he is conducting an easygoing conversation with his audience...a scientist who can clearly evoke the imagery hidden within a mathematical equation, treating some rather formidable material with enthusiasm and delight."--The New York Times"A brash, breezy, and authoritative discussion...a fascinating book."--The Washington Post"Through his engaging, conversational style, Zee...succeeds in informing while entertaining the reader with disarming stories."--The San Francisco Chronicle"Among the numerous authors who have written popularizations of contemporary physics, none is better than Zee at explaining things simply."--Library Journal"An extraordinary writer: playful, inspired, and brilliant."--Publishers Weekly"Zee writes with wry, poetic humor.... It's as if he is conducting an easygoing conversation with his audience...a scientist who can clearly evoke the imagery hidden within a mathematical equation, treating some rather formidable material with enthusiasm and delight."--The New York Times"A brash, breezy, and authoritative discussion...a fascinating book."--The Washington Post"Through his engaging, conversational style, Zee...succeeds in informing while entertaining the reader with disarming stories."--The San Francisco Chronicle"Among the numerous authors who have written popularizations of contemporary physics, none is better than Zee at explaining things simply."--Library Journal"How many times have you actually laughed out loud reading a book on physics? If your answer is 'Never!', then you should pick up a copy of An Old Man's Toy [Einstein's Universe].... Many books on physics can be very interesting, but it is rare to find one that is actually fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone. A. Zee has a style of writing that makes one keep turning the pages.... [The book] isinteresting, playfully written, and very readable. Don't pass it up."--The Science Teacher"A. Zee is that rare creature: a physicist who knows how to tell a story. (His previous book) Fearful Symmetry was...lucid, entertaining. In this reprise, Zee is just as fascinating, and even funnier...with his prankish good humor and gifts for simplifying the complicated.... An Old Man's Toy [Einstein's Universe] is both a delightful read and a faithful yet accessible look at an avant-garde that is far more revolutionary than anydowntown's club scene...it is too rare an opportunity to miss."--Life of New York

• PROLOGUE: THE APPLE AND THE MOON ; I. THE RISE OF GRAVITY ; II. THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE ; III. STRUCTURES OUT OF THE VOID ; IV. THE MYSTERY OF GRAVITY