Traveling at the Speed of Thought: Einstein and the Quest for Gravitational Waves

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 334 pages
• Published by: Princeton University Press March 26, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0691117276
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0691117270
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Reader Reviews
I felt the single review of this book highly underrated it, and since it almost scared me away from purchasing it, I wanted to offset it with a positive one. I would have missed out if I had listened to it! I absorbed this book in just a few days, really enjoying the historical account presented and learning a number of interesting things about gravitational waves along the way. While Kennefick's work does include references to some technical terms, they are given definitions and in some cases enlightening explanations. I found it pleasant to follow the story in any case by simply not letting myself get bogged down from not having a deep, graduate level, mathematical understanding of general relativity. I am proof that is not required to appreciate this book. One particularly positive aspect is the overall focus on the role of analogies in science. The first chapter was a gem for this reason, but the intriguing theme of differing personal approaches to using analogies is woven throughout the entire book. Overall, I would say that if you enjoy historical biographies of science/math personas where technical discussion slips in here and there, you would have a good chance of liking this work. Comment | | (Report this)