Albert Einstein

An English-language edition of selected correspondence and papers of Albert EinsteinA translation of selected non-English texts included in Volume 17 is available in paperback. Since this supplementary paperback includes only select portions of Volume 17, it is not recommended for purchase without the main volume. Every document in The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein appears in the language in which it was written, and this supplementary paperback volume presents the English translations of select portions of non-English materials in Volume 17. This translation does not include notes or annotations of the documentary volume and is not intended for use without the original language documentary edition, which provides the extensive editorial commentary necessary for a full historical and scientific understanding of the documents.

The theory which is sketched in the following pages forms the most wide-going generalization conceivable of what is at present known as "the theory of Relativity;" this latter theory I differentiate from the former "Special Relativity theory," and suppose it to be known. The generalization of the Relativity theory has been made much easier through the form given to the special Relativity theory by Minkowski, which mathematician was the first to recognize clearly the formal equivalence of the space like and time-like co-ordinates, and who made use of it in the building up of the theory. The mathematical apparatus useful for the general relativity theory, lay already complete in the "Absolute Differential Calculus", which were based on the researches of Gauss, Riemann and Christoffel on the non-Euclidean manifold, and which have been shaped into a system by Ricci and Levi-Civita, and already applied to the problems of theoretical physics. I have in part B of this communication developed in the simplest and clearest manner, all the supposed mathematical auxiliaries, not known to Physicists, which will be useful for our purpose, so that, a study of the mathematical literature is not necessary for an understanding of this paper. Finally in this place I thank my friend Grossmann, by whose help I was not only spared the study of the mathematical literature pertinent to this subject, but who also aided me in the researches on the field equations of gravitation.

Relativity: The Special and the General Theory began as a short paper and was eventually published as a book written by Albert Einstein with the aim of giving: "an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics. (From Preface) It was first published in German in 1916 and later translated into English in 1920. 1] 2] 3] It is divided into 3 parts, the first dealing with special relativity, the second dealing with general relativity and the third dealing with considerations on the universe as a whole. There have been many versions published since the original in 1916 and this proves to be the best translated English edition.

The present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics. The work presumes a standard of education corresponding to that of a university matriculation examination, and, despite the shortness of the book, a fair amount of patience and force of will on the part of the reader. The author has spared himself no pains in his endeavor to present the main ideas in the simplest and most intelligible form, and on the whole, in the sequence and connection in which they actually originated. In the interest of clearness, it appeared to me inevitable that I should repeat myself frequently, without paying the slightest attention to the elegance of the presentation. I adhered scrupulously to the precept of that brilliant theoretical physicist L. Boltzmann, according to whom matters of elegance ought to be left to the tailor and to the cobbler. I make no pretence of having withheld from the reader difficulties which are inherent to the subject. On the other hand, I have purposely treated the empirical physical foundations of the theory in a "step-motherly" fashion, so that readers unfamiliar with physics may not feel like the wanderer who was unable to see the forest for the trees. May the book bring someone a few happy hours of suggestive thought December, 1916 A. EINSTEIN

The theory which is sketched in the following pages forms the most wide-going generalization conceivable of what is at present known as "the theory of Relativity;" this latter theory I differentiate from the former "Special Relativity theory," and suppose it to be known. The generalization of the Relativity theory has been made much easier through the form given to the special Relativity theory by Minkowski, which mathematician was the first to recognize clearly the formal equivalence of the space like and time-like co-ordinates, and who made use of it in the building up of the theory. The mathematical apparatus useful for the general relativity theory, lay already complete in the "Absolute Differential Calculus", which were based on the researches of GAUSS, RIEMANN and CHRISTOFFEL on the non-Euclidean manifold, and which have been shaped into a system by RICCI and LEVI-CIVITA, and already applied to the problems of theoretical physics. I have in part B of this communication developed in the simplest and clearest manner, all the supposed mathematical auxiliaries, not known to Physicists, which will be useful for our purpose, so that, a study of the mathematical literature is not necessary for an understanding of this paper. Finally in this place I thank my friend GROSSMANN, by whose help I was not only spared the study of the mathematical literature pertinent to this subject, but who also aided me in the researches on the field equations of gravitation.

A new, popular edition with a clear introduction, Special & General Relativity by Albert Einstein contains his core paper, 'Relativity, The Special & The General Theory: A Popular Exposition', which established his reputation as one of the greatest thinkers of our (and perhaps any) age. Also included are two of the Princeton University lectures he gave to explain his findings in more detail, on 'The Meaning of Relativity', as well as the early paper which led to his famous equation E = mc2. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

The Meaning of Relativity; Four lectures delivered at Princeton University, May, 1921, has been acknowledged as a major work throughout human history, and we have taken precautions to assure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern manner for both present and future generations. This book has been completely retyped, revised, and reformatted. The text is readable and clear because these books are not created from scanned copies.

Albert Einstein needs no introduction. He is known for the great marvels when it came to his area of expertise, that is, physics. The book, by Albert Einstein, talks about much debated and deliberated topic, Relativity. Einstein has presented a detailed descriptions and explanation of the concept which has won him most praise compared to any other concepts presented by him. Even though this book and the theories presented in it, where vehemently opposed on religious ground, but Einstein gave them a befitting reply that put an end to such attacks. Even though there had been more such backlashes that Einstein had to deal with in his tenure.

A marvelously annotated and illustrated edition of Einstein’s South America travel diaryIn the spring of 1925, Albert Einstein embarked on an extensive lecture tour of Argentina before continuing on to Uruguay and Brazil. In his travel diary, the preeminent scientist and humanitarian icon recorded his immediate impressions and broader reflections on the people he encountered and the locations he visited. Some of the most confounding passages reveal his uncensored views on his host nations. This edition makes available the complete journal Einstein kept on his three-month journey. In these remarkable pages, Einstein enthuses about the stunning vistas of lush vegetation in Rio de Janeiro. His flight in the skies over Buenos Aires thrills him, and he enjoys the cozy atmosphere of Montevideo. He expresses genuine admiration for the Uruguayans, harsh condescension toward the Argentinians, and ambivalent affection for the Brazilians. The illustrious visitor seeks calm refuge on the long ocean voyages, far from the madding crowds of Europe, but the grueling lecture schedule and the adoration of the local masses exhaust him. This edition features stunning facsimiles of the diary’s pages accompanied by an English translation, an extensive historical introduction, numerous illustrations, and editorial annotations. Supplementary materials include letters, postcards, statements, and speeches as well as a chronology, a bibliography, and an index.

Pärast üldrelatiivsusteooria võrrandite esitamist neljas lühikeses artiklis, mis ilmusid novembris 1915 Preisi Akadeemia Toimetistes, oli füüsikute ja matemaatikute hulgas märgata huvi uue gravitatsiooniteooria vastu. Kuid uudne käsitlusviis ja suhteliselt tundmatu matemaatika tekitasid lugejates segadust.1916. aasta 20.märtsil saabus ajakirja Annalen der Physik toimetusse Einsteini pikk artikkel "Üldrelatiivsusteooria põhialus" (eesti keeles: Ilmamaa, 2021) ning detsembriks valmis tekst, mis oli mõeldud selgitusena mitte ainult asjatundjatele, vaid ka laiemale publikule - neile keda teooria huvitab üldisest teaduslikust ja filosoofilisest vaatepunktist, kuid kes ei valda teoreetilise füüsika matemaatilist aparatuuri. Raamat "Eri- ja üldrelatiivsusteooriast (üldarusaadavalt)" ilmus 1917 aastal. See sisaldas näiteid (mõttelisi katseid) relatiivsusteooria selgitamiseks, mis tänaseks on muutunud klassikaks. Käesolev tõlge on tehtud saksakeelsest 10. väljaandest (1920) ning sisaldab algsele tekstile 1918. a. juurde kirjutatud osa "Märkused maailma kui terviku kohta" ning veel viit hiljem kirjutatud lisa. Arvamust, et teose pealkiri võiks hoopis olla "Eri- ja üldrelatiivsusteooriast üld-mittearusaadavalt" hajutab Piret Kuuse järelsõna, mis tutvustab füüsikateooria tolleaegseid kontekste ja selle edasist arengut. Raamatu väljaandmist on toetanud Eesti Kultuurkapital ja Postimees.

Relativity is a book for the person who has a keen interest in understanding the law of relativity, inertia given by Albert Einstein without going into the minutiae of physics terminologies. The book gives in-depth explanations about how the principles of Relativity: Special and General work in our universe. This theory is a landmark achievement for humanity, as it turned physics upside down by revealing the fallacies in Newtonian physics. Albert Einstein is considered as one of the greatest minds to ever live, and he won a Nobel Prize for this literature of the true language of our universe. Einstein, in this book, uses everyday examples and settings to explain the complex motion of bodies through different inertial frames of reference.

"I make no pretence of having withheld from the reader difficulties which are inherent to the subject. On the other hand, I have purposely treated the empirical physical foundations of the theory in a "stepmotherly" fashion, so that readers may not feel like the wanderer who was unable to see the forest for the trees." A layman's introduction to Einstein's ideas, Relativity gives readers an insight into the ideas of one of the best known and one of the most influential scientists in history. The ideas explained herein turned Einstein into a cultural icon, earned him a Nobel Prize and revolutionised modern physics. Few ideas in history can claim to have had such a scientific and cultural impact on human life.