Book Description
"The influence of Einstein's contributions on so many branches of physics is such that if one wanted to describe its full extent, it would be hard to know where to begin. His work and discoveries...are so fundamental that each achievement alone would have guaranteed him a prominent place in the history of physics. But what brought him unprecedented fame outside his own discipline is undoubtedly his theory of relativity, which revolutionized the old, established Newtonian picture of space, time, and gravitation."—Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, from the Introduction This volume, an abridged version of our cloth, slipcased edition, presents one of the most influential scientific documents of the twentieth century: Albert Einstein's exposition of the theory of relativity. Each of the seventy-two handwritten pages are reproduced and are accompanied by an English translation of the original German text. A tribute to Einstein's genius, Einstein's 1912 Manuscript on the Special Theory of Relativity opens with a brief essay by Hanoch Gutfreund, a chronology of Einstein's life, a selection of quotes by Einstein, and, to introduce the manuscript, a detailed description of the manuscript, its contents, publication history, and provenance. The manuscript pages themselves then follow, reproduced in full color, with the English translation facing each page. Subtle variations in paper and ink are clearly visible in the excellent reproductions, indicating where and when Einstein drafted certain parts. Because the manuscript shows extensive reworking, it reveals Einstein's thought processes more than any other of his handwritten works. Providing a glimpse into one of the greatest minds of the last century, Einstein's 1912 Manuscript is for anyone fascinated by Einstein and the impact of his revolutionary theory. 72 color pages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A full-size (10 x 15), slipcased edition of the complete handwritten facsimile manuscript of Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

This magnificent, large-scale volume presents in facsimile form one of the most revolutionary and influential scientific documents of the twentieth century: Albert Einstein's exposition of the theory of relativity. Each of the seventy-two handwritten pages is faithfully reproduced to actual size and accompanied by an English translation of the original German text. A tribute to Einstein's genius, Einstein's 1912 Manuscript on the Special Theory of Relativity: A Facsimile opens with brief accounts of thoughts and reminiscences by Einstein's friends and colleagues. To introduce the facsimile, a detailed description of the manuscript, its contents, publication history and provenance are provided. The facsimile then follows, with an English translation facing each page. No effort was spared in achieving the highest fidelity possible in the reproduction of the manuscript pages. Subtle variations in paper and ink are clearly visible, indicating where and when Einstein drafted certain parts of the manuscript. Because it shows extensive reworking, it reveals Einstein's thought processes more than any other of his handwritten works. His frequent alterations also reflect his concern for style and his groping for the right expression. In these pages, if only for a fleeting moment, Einstein's towering genius seems a little more akin to us.

SYNOPSIS

This magnificent, large-scale volume presents in facsimile form one of the most revolutionary and influential scientific documents of the twentieth century: Albert Einstein's exposition of the theory of relativity. Each of the seventy-two handwritten pages are faithfully reproduced to actual size and accompanied by an English translation of the original German text. A tribute to Einstein's genius, Einstein's 1912 Manuscript on the Special Theory of Relativity: A Facsimile opens with brief accounts of thoughts and reminiscences by Einstein's friends, colleagues, and admirers, among them such eminent figures as Freeman J. Dyson, Hanoch Gutfreund, Peter G. Bergmann, Phillip A. Griffiths, and Frank Wilczek. To introduce the facsimile, a detailed description of the manuscript, its contents, publication history, and provenance are provided. The facsimile then follows, with an English translation facing each page. No effort was spared in achieving the highest fidelity possible in the reproduction of the manuscript pages. Subtle variations in paper and ink are clearly visible, indicating where and when Einstein drafted certain parts of it. Because the manuscript shows extensive re-working, it reveals Einstein's thought processes more than any other of his handwritten works.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal