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

Amazing book

Loved this, it makes certain things easy to understand and sheds light on the quantum realm. Very well informed and consistent. This will make you understand special and general relativity and then question and investigate various aspects of the universe.

Good quick survey, not great as audio

The lectures are engaging and the professor is interesting and very well-organized. The course is lacking in some depth, mainly because of the huge range of topics covered, but also because he shies away from math a little too much. I think it's a good quick introduction to many of the great ideas of modern physics from a non-mathematical angle.

The main thing to be aware of before buying this is that the course is not designed for listening. While this is true of all of the teaching company courses on audible, some work better than others. This one depends heavily on visual material which is only viewable in the pdf. So this is not ideal for commuting.

Magnificent and Illuminating

A spectacular reading and explanation of ultracomplex ideas for the non-scientist! This work slowly and clearly unravels the history of physics through the centuries, leads the reader to understand the problems that lead to special relativity, then explains in detail how the theory works—both in principle as well as in observable and measurable phenomena.

Following this, the author takes the reader through the rudiments of more complex concepts like general relativity and quantum physics. The entire lecture series is intelligible without having to understand high-order mathematics. For ANYONE who wants to see the universe in a completely new light, GET THIS BOOK!!!!

For everyone

This course was brilliant. The speaker was brilliant. Everyone should get to know the universe around them with this course.

Informative but maybe watch the video instead

Good info if a little dated. I can appreciate the difficulties of presenting this subject matter in this format but there were a few too many references to visual aids. I'm guessing there is a video version of this course that would be easier to fully comprehend.

this guy is SUPER excited about physics.

that's what makes what could be a really long class fun and engaging. it still took me a while to finish. you cant take it all in at once

Great listen!

Dr. Wolfson explains very complicated concepts in a way that the general public can understand. He even clarified several concepts for me that had never been explained in much detail during my college physics courses. I would highly recommend for anyone with an interest in how the universe really works and the essence of reality.

Very informative!

I'm happy to finally have a basic grasp of two subjects that previously eluded me.

Great

Professor Wolfson explained and expressed in a way that kept me listening. I will go back and listen again.

Simply Brilliant !

Great course and superb job of explaining the theories in lehman’s terms. This book is highly recommended !