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Jim Al-Khalili

Black Holes, Wormholes and Time Machines

This book is created from a series of lectures that the author gave to teenage schoolchildren. As such it is entirely non-technical, but succeeds very well in linking the science of the theory of relativity with sci-fi concepts such as wormholes and time travel. It also includes an introduction to cosmology and a discussion of the philosophy of time. I would recommend it to any reader wanting a gentle introduction to these subjects or to more advanced readers who will enjoy it as a little light reading.

The book is in three parts, on Space, Time and Time machines. The first part looks at curvature of space and so introduces Einstein's general theory of relativity. The second part examines some of the philosophical issues concerning time, and then goes on to the Special theory of relativity. This means that GR is dealt with before SR, which reverses the order in which they were developed, but this doesn't seem to cause any problems. More puzzling is the chapter on time travel paradoxes in part 2 rather than part 3. I would have thought this chapter would be better after the description of how a time machine might be built, and in particular the self-consistency argument for 'wormhole billiards' would make more sense.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 288 pages
ISBN: 0750305606
Salesrank: 390330
Weight:0.79 lbs

Published: 1999 Taylor & Francis

Amazon price $29.95

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 288 pages
ISBN: 0750305606
Salesrank: 67712
Weight:0.79 lbs

Published: 1999 Institute of Physics Publishing

Amazon price £15.99

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 288 pages
ISBN: 0750305606
Salesrank: 150430
Weight:0.79 lbs

Published: 1999 Taylor & Francis

Amazon price CDN$ 19.12

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Product Description
Do you know: · What might happen if you fall into a black hole? · That the Universe does not have an edge? · That the reason it gets dark at night is proof of the Big Bang? · That cosmic particles time-travel through the atmosphere defying death? · That our past, present and future might all coexist "out there"? With two remarkable ideas, Albert Einstein revolutionized our view of the Universe. His first was that nothing can travel faster than light-the ultimate speed limit. This simple fact leads to the unavoidable conclusion that space and time must be linked together forever as Spacetime. With his second monumental insight, Einstein showed how Spacetime is warped and stretched by the gravity of all objects in the Universe and even punctured by black holes. But such possible twisting of Spacetime allowed a magic not even Einstein could have imagined: time-travel. Theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili finally lays science fiction to rest as he opens up Einstein's Universe. Leading us gently and light-heartedly through the dizzying world of our space and time, he even gives us the recipe for a time machine, capable of taking us Back to the Future, to Alice's Wonderland, or on a trip with the Terminator.

Product Description

Do you know: · What might happen if you fall into a black hole? · That the Universe does not have an edge? · That the reason it gets dark at night is proof of the Big Bang? · That cosmic particles time-travel through the atmosphere defying death? · That our past, present and future might all coexist "out there"? With two remarkable ideas, Albert Einstein revolutionized our view of the Universe. His first was that nothing can travel faster than light-the ultimate speed limit. This simple fact leads to the unavoidable conclusion that space and time must be linked together forever as Spacetime. With his second monumental insight, Einstein showed how Spacetime is warped and stretched by the gravity of all objects in the Universe and even punctured by black holes. But such possible twisting of Spacetime allowed a magic not even Einstein could have imagined: time-travel. Theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili finally lays science fiction to rest as he opens up Einstein's Universe. Leading us gently and light-heartedly through the dizzying world of our space and time, he even gives us the recipe for a time machine, capable of taking us Back to the Future, to Alice's Wonderland, or on a trip with the Terminator.

Black Holes, Wormholes & Time Machines *****
Astrophysics for those of us who never took a physics class in school. You need not be a genius to understand the majority of this book. It's easy to read and explains complex topics in a relatively simple manner. This book is similar to Kip Thorne's book: Black Holes & Time Warps, but does also go over some information that Thorne's book doesn't cover (and Thorne's book goes over some info that this one doesn't). I place both books about equally in their readability to the common person, and amount of interesting information about our universe. This does a great job of explaining different theories about the universe and why some are more likely than others, as well as faults with various theories. Very interesting, but certainly not light reading!

Black Holes, Wormholes & Time Machines *****

Astrophysics for those of us who never took a physics class in school. You need not be a genius to understand the majority of this book. It's easy to read and explains complex topics in a relatively simple manner. This book is similar to Kip Thorne's book: Black Holes & Time Warps, but does also go over some information that Thorne's book doesn't cover (and Thorne's book goes over some info that this one doesn't). I place both books about equally in their readability to the common person, and amount of interesting information about our universe. This does a great job of explaining different theories about the universe and why some are more likely than others, as well as faults with various theories. Very interesting, but certainly not light reading!

Very Interesting...but slow ***
Al-Khalili clearly explains and breaks down modern physics into plain and simple English. I have not read a more easy-to-read physics book in my life. Although there is one thing that the reader will find annoying in the book. He frequently deviates from the subject matter and goes off on a completely different path that sometimes has nothing to do with what he was talking about. Half the book isn't about Black holes, Wormholes, and Time Machines either but about other areas of physics. Overall though, a very well-written book worth your reading. (assuming of course that you have NO background in Physics!)

Very Interesting...but slow ***

Al-Khalili clearly explains and breaks down modern physics into plain and simple English. I have not read a more easy-to-read physics book in my life. Although there is one thing that the reader will find annoying in the book. He frequently deviates from the subject matter and goes off on a completely different path that sometimes has nothing to do with what he was talking about. Half the book isn't about Black holes, Wormholes, and Time Machines either but about other areas of physics. Overall though, a very well-written book worth your reading. (assuming of course that you have NO background in Physics!)

Wonderful *****
Mr. Khalili combines a deep understanding of his subject matter with the rare ability to present it clearly in terms understandable to the layman.

Wonderful *****

Mr. Khalili combines a deep understanding of his subject matter with the rare ability to present it clearly in terms understandable to the layman.

This Book Is Mindblowing! *****
As long ago as I can remember, I have been interested in the way that the universe was created and the way it works. This book has all the answers that I've been searching for these long years. Jim Al-Khalili cuts through the big words and incomprehensible scientific lingo and gets straight to the point. As a student of cosmotology myself, I didn't need to have things spelled out in such a condescending manner, but others who read this book and have low IQ test scores will find it very helpful.

This Book Is Mindblowing! *****

As long ago as I can remember, I have been interested in the way that the universe was created and the way it works. This book has all the answers that I've been searching for these long years. Jim Al-Khalili cuts through the big words and incomprehensible scientific lingo and gets straight to the point. As a student of cosmotology myself, I didn't need to have things spelled out in such a condescending manner, but others who read this book and have low IQ test scores will find it very helpful.

Fun and interesting to read! ****
This book is very well written with amazing examples to aid the reader with such complex topics as general relativity and quantum mechanics which can be quite confusing at first glance. I am sure to read this again as to gain a further grasp on the subjects in this addicting book that I had a hard time putting down. It is fascinating thoughtful, thought provoking, and pleasing to read at the same time, with many ties to popular culture and up to date physics. I must also admit that this book made me look up to the night sky several times after I read it and in my opinion is a great read for the physicist and non physicist alike! The author has a knack for explaining complex ideas that involve the vastness of the universe and the tiniest theories of Quantum mechanics with clarity and insight. This is a good one to add to the library which I will for sure pull out of mine several times for future reference.

Fun and interesting to read! ****

This book is very well written with amazing examples to aid the reader with such complex topics
as general relativity and quantum mechanics which can be quite confusing at first glance. I am
sure to read this again as to gain a further grasp on the subjects in this addicting book that I had a
hard time putting down. It is fascinating thoughtful, thought provoking, and pleasing to read at
the same time, with many ties to popular culture and up to date physics. I must also admit that
this book made me look up to the night sky several times after I read it and in my opinion is a
great read for the physicist and non physicist alike! The author has a knack for explaining complex
ideas that involve the vastness of the universe and the tiniest theories of Quantum mechanics with
clarity and insight. This is a good one to add to the library which I will for sure pull out of mine
several times for future reference.

An excellent read, not too technical and humorous to boot *****
I thought this book was excellent. I've been fascinated by this subject for years and have attempted (and failed) to read Hawking, Einstein et al because I just found them too complicated and too filled with equations to make sense. I have 2 hons degrees so I don't think I am that stupid (I hope not!) but I just found Hawking and the like to be unreadable- their concepts are not explained in laymans terms and unless you are an expert in quantum mechanics its like wading through treacle. This book, however, was perfect for a dunce(!) like me and the author gave practical examples and diagrams for most of the complicated concepts such as how black holes work and the concept of time. The style of writing is also very accessible and smattered with the author's own personal thoughts and witty observations which I liked as it made it seem more like we were having a conversation rather than him talking at me about subjects that i don;t understand. For example, in the time travel section he uses the film "The Terminator" to illustrate the time travel paradox which having seen the film, was really helpful and I actually understood what he was saying (yay!). The book inevitable throws up more questions that answers but this is the nature of cosmology and science in general I think. There are some fascinating insights into the possibility of time travel and the fact that according to the laws of gravity, it is technically possible and I was blown away by the idea of Planck time (a measurement of time that is so small, there are more planck units in a single second than there are seconds since the universe began). The concept of infinity was also brilliantly explained and it made me realise that the universe in which we live is more mysterious and unfathomable than I ever realised possible. An excellent book which makes this subject understandable. I actually feel more intelligent having read it!!

An excellent read, not too technical and humorous to boot *****

I thought this book was excellent. I've been fascinated by this subject for years and have attempted (and failed) to read Hawking, Einstein et al because I just found them too complicated and too filled with equations to make sense. I have 2 hons degrees so I don't think I am that stupid (I hope not!) but I just found Hawking and the like to be unreadable- their concepts are not explained in laymans terms and unless you are an expert in quantum mechanics its like wading through treacle. This book, however, was perfect for a dunce(!) like me and the author gave practical examples and diagrams for most of the complicated concepts such as how black holes work and the concept of time. The style of writing is also very accessible and smattered with the author's own personal thoughts and witty observations which I liked as it made it seem more like we were having a conversation rather than him talking at me about subjects that i don;t understand. For example, in the time travel section he uses the film "The Terminator" to illustrate the time travel paradox which having seen the film, was really helpful and I actually understood what he was saying (yay!).

The book inevitable throws up more questions that answers but this is the nature of cosmology and science in general I think. There are some fascinating insights into the possibility of time travel and the fact that according to the laws of gravity, it is technically possible and I was blown away by the idea of Planck time (a measurement of time that is so small, there are more planck units in a single second than there are seconds since the universe began). The concept of infinity was also brilliantly explained and it made me realise that the universe in which we live is more mysterious and unfathomable than I ever realised possible. An excellent book which makes this subject understandable. I actually feel more intelligent having read it!!

Fascinating book, accessible to all. *****
To someone (like myself) who has little or no knowledge of physics, this book is a REAL eye-opener. It is incredibly exciting, and has a deal of humour to boot. Some parts DO require concentration to get your head around, and I must admit on one or two occasions being slightly lost. Thankfully though 99% of the book was quite easy to follow. Primarily the book is focused on giving the reader an overview of Einstein's Theories of Relativity, and in particular how these could be applicable to time travel. My only slight criticism is that the author does seem to concentrate on building/using time machines from a practical viewpoint, as though the reader is a Sc-Fi fan. Before reading it I thought the universe was born billions of years ago with the Big Bang, and that I was at a certain point in time, and it would carry on ad infinitum after I die. Not necessarily so according to modern physics! A very small sample of amazing information that I learned was: Time could start running backwards if the Universe stops expanding and starts contracting. Time slows down the quicker you go (near the speed of light time almost stops, or speeds up to infinity depending on your viewpoint). Gravity doesn't pull objects, but bends space itself so objects 'fall' into it. Gravity bends time and slows it down. Very heavy gravitation can almost stop time. That the 'present' depends on where you are in space (and your speed), and that all future & past events may co-exist. The book also touches on Quantum Mechanics, which is even weirder i.e. particles appearing from nowhere and being in 2 places at the same time.

Fascinating book, accessible to all. *****

To someone (like myself) who has little or no knowledge of physics, this book is a REAL eye-opener. It is incredibly exciting, and has a deal of humour to boot.

Some parts DO require concentration to get your head around, and I must admit on one or two occasions being slightly lost. Thankfully though 99% of the book was quite easy to follow.

Primarily the book is focused on giving the reader an overview of Einstein's Theories of Relativity, and in particular how these could be applicable to time travel.

My only slight criticism is that the author does seem to concentrate on building/using time machines from a practical viewpoint, as though the reader is a Sc-Fi fan.

Before reading it I thought the universe was born billions of years ago with the Big Bang, and that I was at a certain point in time, and it would carry on ad infinitum after I die. Not necessarily so according to modern physics!

A very small sample of amazing information that I learned was:

Time could start running backwards if the Universe stops expanding and starts contracting.
Time slows down the quicker you go (near the speed of light time almost stops, or speeds up to infinity depending on your viewpoint).
Gravity doesn't pull objects, but bends space itself so objects 'fall' into it.
Gravity bends time and slows it down. Very heavy gravitation can almost stop time.
That the 'present' depends on where you are in space (and your speed), and that all future & past events may co-exist.

The book also touches on Quantum Mechanics, which is even weirder i.e. particles appearing from nowhere and being in 2 places at the same time.

Fantastic *****
I find myself coming back to this book over and over again. Everytime you read it you learn something new. The author's writing style is informal, and he explains the various concepts in the book very clearly, with lots of examples and occasional diagrams. Overall, an absoluetly fascinating book to go along with A Brief History of Time.

Fantastic *****

I find myself coming back to this book over and over again. Everytime you read it you learn something new. The author's writing style is informal, and he explains the various concepts in the book very clearly, with lots of examples and occasional diagrams. Overall, an absoluetly fascinating book to go along with A Brief History of Time.

An absolutely excellent book *****
A brilliantly written book for both scientists and non-scientists alike. Unlike most science texts, this one is gripping and informative, written in a clear easy style. Superb.

An absolutely excellent book *****

A brilliantly written book for both scientists and non-scientists alike. Unlike most science texts, this one is gripping and informative, written in a clear easy style. Superb.

The clearest explanations I have seen. *****
I don't need to write a long review. If you want the clearest explanation to relativity theory and to some of its stranger predictions then you just found it!

The clearest explanations I have seen. *****

I don't need to write a long review. If you want the clearest explanation to relativity theory and to some of its stranger predictions then you just found it!

A Must for Anyone Interested In Cosmology *****
I read a this and was overwhelmed. At times it reaches the greatness of Hawking's "A Brief History Of Time". Popular science does't come much better!

A Must for Anyone Interested In Cosmology *****

I read a this and was overwhelmed. At times it reaches the greatness of Hawking's "A Brief History Of Time".
Popular science does't come much better!

easiest complicated subject *****
this book explains in easy to understand terms (no math) some of the most complicated subjects regarding spacetime, relativity, wormholes, time machines, black and white holes, the Big Bang, and quantum mechanichs. if you want to amaze your friends, this book is entertaining (I delayed reading the last chapter because I did not want to finish the book) and has tons of COMPREHENSIBLE INFORMATION. Absolutely a MUST read.

easiest complicated subject *****

this book explains in easy to understand terms (no math) some of the most complicated subjects regarding spacetime, relativity, wormholes, time machines, black and white holes, the Big Bang, and quantum mechanichs. if you want to amaze your friends, this book is entertaining (I delayed reading the last chapter because I did not want to finish the book) and has tons of COMPREHENSIBLE INFORMATION. Absolutely a MUST read.