Reviews from Amazon

Reviews elsewhere on the web:

Kip Thorne

Black holes and time warps

Black holes are well known objects, but their study using general relativity requires some difficult mathematics. In Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein's outrageous legacy Kip Thorne manages to put over some highly theoretical notions without needing any mathematical details - the excellent drawings by Matt Zimet are a great help. Although it is a large book it has a very readable style. It might also serve as a source book for further study, as its biographical details of the main people in the field give a starting point to investigate their work. Its a valuable addition to the bookshelf of anyone who is interested in the development of modern ideas about space and time.

The book describes Einstein's development of general relativity and how the possibility of black holes arose with the work of Schwarzchild. This leads on to the study of compact objects by Chandrasekhar and Zwicky, which was strongly resisted by Eddington and Einstein. Thorne also looks at how the Cold War interfered with the study of General relativity, and how a new 'golden age' of black hole research started in the 1960's with the acceptance that they weren't just frozen stars. Later chapters deal with Hawking radiation, gravitational waves (Thorne's speciality) and the possibility of time travel using wormholes.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 619 pages
ISBN: 0393312763
Salesrank: 49613
Weight:1.6 lbs

Published: 1995 W. W. Norton & Company

Amazon price $12.89

Marketplace:New from $7.46:Used from $3.95

Buy from Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 619 pages
ISBN: 0393312763
Salesrank: 456483
Weight:1.6 lbs

Published: 1995 W. W. Norton & Co.

Marketplace::Used from £4.00

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.ca info

Paperback 619 pages
ISBN: 0393312763
Salesrank: 79645
Weight:1.6 lbs

Published: 1995 WW Norton

Amazon price CDN$ 17.16

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 11.19:Used from CDN$ 10.94

Buy from Amazon.ca

Einstein's legacy not that outrageous ****
I didn't understand a lot of this book. The physics was largely beyond me and I could not grasp the embedded diagrams that Kip Thorne used. These embedded diagrams attempt to represent three-dimensional space-time on a two-dimensional piece of paper. But I enjoyed reading the book nonetheless. One can look at science in two (or perhaps more) ways; the process and the results. I am interested in process, the building of one idea upon another. And Thorne does this particularly well. I am not a big fan of the results which is a good thing because I didn't really understand them, at least in this book. Thorne also included a lot of biographical information which I found very interesting. Thorne also admitted when he had made mistakes, which was refreshing; a nice human element. The most interesting parts of the book were when he compared the different styles of the various research teams. This is especially true when he compared first the American/British research style with the Russian research style and later in the book, the American, British, and French styles and their differing use of mathematics. Overall, this book was a good read, but by the end I was anxious to finish so that I could start reading Leon Lederman's new offering.

Einstein's legacy not that outrageous ****

I didn't understand a lot of this book. The physics was largely beyond me and I could not grasp the embedded diagrams that Kip Thorne used. These embedded diagrams attempt to represent three-dimensional space-time on a two-dimensional piece of paper. But I enjoyed reading the book nonetheless. One can look at science in two (or perhaps more) ways; the process and the results. I am interested in process, the building of one idea upon another. And Thorne does this particularly well. I am not a big fan of the results which is a good thing because I didn't really understand them, at least in this book. Thorne also included a lot of biographical information which I found very interesting. Thorne also admitted when he had made mistakes, which was refreshing; a nice human element. The most interesting parts of the book were when he compared the different styles of the various research teams. This is especially true when he compared first the American/British research style with the Russian research style and later in the book, the American, British, and French styles and their differing use of mathematics. Overall, this book was a good read, but by the end I was anxious to finish so that I could start reading Leon Lederman's new offering.

A detailed history of the science of physics ****
Mr. Thorne offers insight into an important world of science that only a person who has first hand experience could. While this book is a book about black holes, it is just as much a book about the science leading up to the ability of science to recognize and study them. It is very detailed with numerous "boxes" that include extra information. While it is not necessary to have an extensive science background in physics/astrophysics etc..., it would help. If one gives the book the patience that it takes, a world of information is available. It is not a quick read, but it is very interesting stuff no doubt.

A detailed history of the science of physics ****

Mr. Thorne offers insight into an important world of science that only a person who has first hand experience could. While this book is a book about black holes, it is just as much a book about the science leading up to the ability of science to recognize and study them. It is very detailed with numerous "boxes" that include extra information. While it is not necessary to have an extensive science background in physics/astrophysics etc..., it would help. If one gives the book the patience that it takes, a world of information is available. It is not a quick read, but it is very interesting stuff no doubt.

The science behind the movie "Contact" *****
When Carl Sagan wanted to have his fictional herione from Contact travel in time, he turned to Kip Thorne. This book is Thorne's attempt to more fully explain the science of time travel. And in the process Thorne takes you to the prediction and discovery of black holes. First seriously suggested by the theories of Albert Einstein, a black hole is a star that has grown so massive (at least three times the size of our sun) that it litterally can't sustain itself against its own weight. It assumes a gravitional force so powerful that not even light can escape its grasp. Obviously, therefore, learning what resides beyond the visible dark exterior of a black hole has eluded science. Yet that dark exterior has fueled speculations that black holes may enable nature (and possibly man) to perform seemingly magical feats. As mentioned at the outset, one of the most interesting of these feats is time travel and the reason is because the great gravitional power of a black hole litterally allows it to warp the space around it. For us it would be a little like standing on one end of a water bed when someone places an anvil on the other end. Owing to the great weight of the anvil, the bed is contorted and owing to its contortions we find ourselves falling toward the anvil. Assuming a sufficiently heavy anvil we could see both ends of the water bed being connected. One obvious challenge would to be travel a black hole without becoming a part of it. Another not so obvious challenge is the fact wormhole creation at best is an exotic affair not occuring above quantum distances. In this way, any people wishing to use one would have to go an extreme wieght loss program! Because of its thoroughness, Thorne gives an extended discussion of the characters involved in the story he's telling. For example, Thorne explains that physicists use both flat and curved universe models to understand black hole behavior. Additionally, even though predicted by his theories, Einstein actually disputed the existence of black holes. As a result, the Soviet Union and not the US was the first country to really encourage serious discussion of them. However, once predicted and then once found, black holes became a unique entree into the laws of physics and with it the mind of God himself. For those who read or saw Contact and enjoyed it, this will be an excellent account of the fact behind the fiction.

The science behind the movie "Contact" *****

When Carl Sagan wanted to have his fictional herione from Contact travel in time, he turned to Kip Thorne.

This book is Thorne's attempt to more fully explain the science of time travel.

And in the process Thorne takes you to the prediction and discovery of black holes.

First seriously suggested by the theories of Albert Einstein, a black hole is a star that has grown so massive (at least three times the size of our sun) that it litterally can't sustain itself against its own weight. It assumes a gravitional force so powerful that not even light can escape its grasp.

Obviously, therefore, learning what resides beyond the visible dark exterior of a black hole has eluded science.

Yet that dark exterior has fueled speculations that black holes may enable nature (and possibly man) to perform seemingly magical feats.

As mentioned at the outset, one of the most interesting of these feats is time travel and the reason is because the great gravitional power of a black hole litterally allows it to warp the space around it. For us it would be a little like standing on one end of a water bed when someone places an anvil on the other end. Owing to the great weight of the anvil, the bed is contorted and owing to its contortions we find ourselves falling toward the anvil.

Assuming a sufficiently heavy anvil we could see both ends of the water bed being connected.

One obvious challenge would to be travel a black hole without becoming a part of it.

Another not so obvious challenge is the fact wormhole creation at best is an exotic affair not occuring above quantum distances. In this way, any people wishing to use one would have to go an extreme wieght loss program!

Because of its thoroughness, Thorne gives an extended discussion of the characters involved in the story he's telling. For example, Thorne explains that physicists use both flat and curved universe models to understand black hole behavior. Additionally, even though predicted by his theories, Einstein actually disputed the existence of black holes. As a result, the Soviet Union and not the US was the first country to really encourage serious discussion of them. However, once predicted and then once found, black holes became a unique entree into the laws of physics and with it the mind of God himself.

For those who read or saw Contact and enjoyed it, this will be an excellent account of the fact behind the fiction.

Relativity Explained *****
Kip S. Thorne explains Einstein's Theory of Relativity well. I have always been interested in time and space, and black holes, and anything that had to do with the universe and space. Thanks to this book my understanding of some theories has increased. I learned more about Enstein's quirks and devotion to the pursuit of scientific knowledge. A fascinating book.

Relativity Explained *****

Kip S. Thorne explains Einstein's Theory of Relativity well. I have always been interested in time and space, and black holes, and anything that had to do with the universe and space. Thanks to this book my understanding of some theories has increased. I learned more about Enstein's quirks and devotion to the pursuit of scientific knowledge. A fascinating book.

Great complement to Stephen Hawkins' books *****
You could consider this as a good place to continue if you have already read Stephen Hawkins' "A Short History of Time" and want to deepen your understanding of modern cosmology at an introductory level.

Great complement to Stephen Hawkins' books *****

You could consider this as a good place to continue if you have already read Stephen Hawkins' "A Short History of Time" and want to deepen your understanding of modern cosmology at an introductory level.

Great Book! *****
This book was my actual first read on physics. That was about 3 years ago, and I haven't stop reading physics since then. Teacher could very well learn from his explaining, just as they would learn by reading ANY Asimov's book. If you like this one, read Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, never have I read a better explanation of the velocity of light and its consequences!

Great Book! *****

This book was my actual first read on physics. That was about 3 years ago, and I haven't stop reading physics since then. Teacher could very well learn from his explaining, just as they would learn by reading ANY Asimov's book. If you like this one, read Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, never have I read a better explanation of the velocity of light and its consequences!

okay ****
Black holes & time warps is great, it explains things thoroughly. And without complex mathematical equations that are inherent in many books that discuss the same subject. I'm not so great on calculus so this is easier on me. Nearly everything was good, but the reason I gave it only four stars is due to the fact that they include too much history you have to read for pages and pages before they actually discuss the topic of the chapter. The first couple of pages are about how a research group got started or who was using the bathroom when something important happened. And it's loaded with personal history that I don't want to know about. Although if like the historical parts then this is your dream book.

okay ****

Black holes & time warps is great, it explains things thoroughly. And without complex mathematical equations that are inherent in many books that discuss the same subject. I'm not so great on calculus so this is easier on me. Nearly everything was good, but the reason I gave it only four stars is due to the fact that they include too much history you have to read for pages and pages before they actually discuss the topic of the chapter. The first couple of pages are about how a research group got started or who was using the bathroom when something important happened. And it's loaded with personal history that I don't want to know about. Although if like the historical parts then this is your dream book.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Black Holes *****
Kip Thorne is an eccentric author who reveals scientific enterprise of quantum gravity and black holes research in a simple language. This book is rich in history, and classical (Newtonian physics and theory of relativity) and modern physics (quantum mechanics) are presented in non mathematical form. We get rare first hand insights of scientific styles and temperament, and his personal involvement in various aspects of black holes research and his interaction with scientists all over the world especially those from former Soviet Union and the impact of communism on black hole research. The first part of the book describes theory of relativity, concept of spacetime fabric of the universe and curvature of spacetime in presence of matter (stars, galaxies, etc.) to generate gravity. The author gives us a good historical background to build his case for black hole concept. Theory of relativity predicts the existence of black holes but Einstein refused to accept it and so is Arthur Eddington another leading exponent of theory of relativity. The idea of black holes remained in academic obscurity among few who believed in it and it progressively became clear that dying giant stars undergo implosions in which nuclear force the strongest of all four forces of cosmos buckles under gravitational force creating a blackholes. Black holes have been discovered in the center of dying giant stars and in centers of galaxies, and efforts are underway to detect the black hole gravitational waves carried to earth from distant parts of the universe and to seek the secret of what is inside a black hole: a route to another universe? The author warps up the second part by discussing the possibility of constructing wormholes with exotic matter (tunnels in space connecting two widely separated locations in the universe) through hyperspace for interstellar travel and back to the future. He is one of the leaders in proposing interstellar travel. Physicists and academics are too conservative to get involved in space travel research as it is traditionally linked to science fiction and Star Trek junkies. The author can mesmerize the reader with his incredible knowledge and ease with which he can communicate to the reader; at the same time he is eccentric enough to work in one of his laboratory (Palomar Mountains) nude and draw criticisms from peers. He is also crazy enough to take bet with peers for things such as Penthouse magazine and annoy his wife and family with Mormon heritage. This book is free of marketing strategies of the publisher as the author shares his knowledge with the reader to his best of abilities to make everyone understands it even by offering few simple calculations and formulas. Do not be discouraged by the size of the book (619 pages). The text flows well and it is deeply engrossing. Anyone interested in black hole and space travel must have this book.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Black Holes *****

Kip Thorne is an eccentric author who reveals scientific enterprise of quantum gravity and black holes research in a simple language. This book is rich in history, and classical (Newtonian physics and theory of relativity) and modern physics (quantum mechanics) are presented in non mathematical form. We get rare first hand insights of scientific styles and temperament, and his personal involvement in various aspects of black holes research and his interaction with scientists all over the world especially those from former Soviet Union and the impact of communism on black hole research. The first part of the book describes theory of relativity, concept of spacetime fabric of the universe and curvature of spacetime in presence of matter (stars, galaxies, etc.) to generate gravity. The author gives us a good historical background to build his case for black hole concept. Theory of relativity predicts the existence of black holes but Einstein refused to accept it and so is Arthur Eddington another leading exponent of theory of relativity. The idea of black holes remained in academic obscurity among few who believed in it and it progressively became clear that dying giant stars undergo implosions in which nuclear force the strongest of all four forces of cosmos buckles under gravitational force creating a blackholes. Black holes have been discovered in the center of dying giant stars and in centers of galaxies, and efforts are underway to detect the black hole gravitational waves carried to earth from distant parts of the universe and to seek the secret of what is inside a black hole: a route to another universe? The author warps up the second part by discussing the possibility of constructing wormholes with exotic matter (tunnels in space connecting two widely separated locations in the universe) through hyperspace for interstellar travel and back to the future. He is one of the leaders in proposing interstellar travel. Physicists and academics are too conservative to get involved in space travel research as it is traditionally linked to science fiction and Star Trek junkies. The author can mesmerize the reader with his incredible knowledge and ease with which he can communicate to the reader; at the same time he is eccentric enough to work in one of his laboratory (Palomar Mountains) nude and draw criticisms from peers. He is also crazy enough to take bet with peers for things such as Penthouse magazine and annoy his wife and family with Mormon heritage. This book is free of marketing strategies of the publisher as the author shares his knowledge with the reader to his best of abilities to make everyone understands it even by offering few simple calculations and formulas. Do not be discouraged by the size of the book (619 pages). The text flows well and it is deeply engrossing. Anyone interested in black hole and space travel must have this book.

A fine personal history of "big science" in the 20th century *****
_____________________________________________ Like many, I started Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" (1988), bogged down, and set it aside. Thorne's book got equally good reviews, but my God, the thing's 600+ pages.... so it sat on my "to- read" shelf for years. This tardy review is intended for others in similar circumstances -- or for anyone interested in modern physics & astronomy. The book is written as a history of 20th century physics, from Einstein's theory of the relativity of space & time (1905), to black holes, gravity waves and wormholes in the 90's. I found this a very engaging approach. Thorne's writing is (usually) clear and direct, and he includes enough biographical tidbits and anecdotes to keep the human juice in potentially dry topics. A few gems: Einstein's college math professor Minkowski, who had called the young genius a "lazy dog", later worked out the mathematics combining space and time into "absolute spacetime." Einstein made cruel jokes denigrating Minkowski's work, not realizing, until after Minkowski's death, that his old teacher's math was essential to Einstein's special relativity work. Cosmic radio waves were discovered by a Bell Telephone engineer in 1932. Despite widespread publicity, professional atronomers weren't very interested -- the first radiotelescope was built by a radio "ham", in his mother's back yard in Illinois, in 1940. The first professional radiotelescopes weren't built until after WW2, in England and Australia; Americans didn't become competitive until the late 50's. Thorne has a fair command of Russian, which gave him an "in" when the USSR started allowing scientific contacts in the post-Stalin era. Now that Russia is such a mess, we forget that the Soviets produced a bunch of world-class scientists and engineers [note 1], from the 1930's on -- including some of the best physicists since Einstein. Dr. Thorne, the Feynman Professor of Physics at Caltech is best known to the general public for his 1988 wormhole "time machine" proposal. Press coverage included a photo of the author doing physics in the nude on Mt. Palomar. Embareassing, but didn't hurt the book sales. The wormhole work grew out of a request from Carl Sagan for a plausible FTL transport scheme for his 1985 science-fiction novel "Contact" (which I recommend). Sagan's request made Thorne realize the value of thought experiments that ask, "What things do the laws of physics permit an infinitely advanced civilization to do, and what do the laws forbid?" This style of speculation by world-class scientists has become popular (and somewhat respectable) in the last decade, and has resulted in some very stimulating reading, such as K. Eric Drexler's "Engines of Creation" (1986), and Hans Moravec's "Mind Children" (1988) and "Robot" (1999). My last exposure to formal physics was two painful undergraduate courses (mumble) years ago. Since then I've kept up at roughly a Scientific American level or below (plus I read a lot of science fiction). I think I'm close to the author's aim-point for his potential audience. I found some of the physics tough going, but these sections can be safely skimmed without losing the thread of his arguments. I read most of the book in two sittings -- it's surprisingly gripping. So -- don't put off reading "Black Holes" any longer! __________ Note 1) --along with some remarkable pseudo-science. Iosif Shlovsky tells of many such projects in his very entertaining "Five Billion Vodka Bottles to the Moon" (1991).

A fine personal history of "big science" in the 20th century *****

_____________________________________________

Like many, I started Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time"
(1988), bogged down, and set it aside. Thorne's book got equally good
reviews, but my God, the thing's 600+ pages.... so it sat on my "to-
read" shelf for years. This tardy review is intended for others in
similar circumstances -- or for anyone interested in modern physics &
astronomy.

The book is written as a history of 20th century physics, from
Einstein's theory of the relativity of space & time (1905), to black
holes, gravity waves and wormholes in the 90's. I found this a very
engaging approach. Thorne's writing is (usually) clear and direct, and
he includes enough biographical tidbits and anecdotes to keep the
human juice in potentially dry topics.

A few gems: Einstein's college math professor Minkowski, who had
called the young genius a "lazy dog", later worked out the
mathematics combining space and time into "absolute spacetime."
Einstein made cruel jokes denigrating Minkowski's work, not
realizing, until after Minkowski's death, that his old teacher's math
was essential to Einstein's special relativity work.

Cosmic radio waves were discovered by a Bell Telephone engineer in
1932. Despite widespread publicity, professional atronomers weren't
very interested -- the first radiotelescope was built by a radio "ham",
in his mother's back yard in Illinois, in 1940. The first professional
radiotelescopes weren't built until after WW2, in England and
Australia; Americans didn't become competitive until the late 50's.

Thorne has a fair command of Russian, which gave him an "in"
when the USSR started allowing scientific contacts in the post-Stalin
era. Now that Russia is such a mess, we forget that the Soviets
produced a *bunch* of world-class scientists and engineers [note 1],
from the 1930's on -- including some of the best physicists since

Einstein.

Dr. Thorne, the Feynman Professor of Physics at Caltech
is best known to the
general public for his 1988 wormhole "time machine" proposal. Press
coverage included a photo of the author doing physics in the nude on
Mt. Palomar. Embareassing, but didn't hurt the book sales. The
wormhole work grew out of a request from Carl Sagan for a plausible
FTL transport scheme for his 1985 science-fiction novel "Contact"
(which I recommend). Sagan's request made Thorne realize the value
of thought experiments that ask, "What things do the laws of physics
permit an infinitely advanced civilization to do, and what do the
laws forbid?" This style of speculation by world-class scientists has
become popular (and somewhat respectable) in the last decade, and
has resulted in some very stimulating reading, such as K. Eric
Drexler's "Engines of Creation" (1986), and Hans Moravec's "Mind
Children" (1988) and "Robot" (1999).

My last exposure to formal physics was two painful undergraduate
courses (mumble) years ago. Since then I've kept up at roughly a
Scientific American level or below (plus I read a lot of science fiction).
I think I'm close to the author's aim-point for his potential audience.
I found some of the physics tough going, but these sections can be
safely skimmed without losing the thread of his arguments. I read
most of the book in two sittings -- it's surprisingly gripping. So --
don't put off reading "Black Holes" any longer!
__________
Note 1) --along with some remarkable pseudo-science. Iosif Shlovsky tells
of many such projects in his very entertaining "Five Billion Vodka
Bottles to the Moon" (1991).

Only a notch down from genius *****
Black holes and time warps: Einstein's outrageous legacy, by Kip S. Thorne. My mother checked out a copy at the downtown library for me when I was 4 years old. I loved it then and I still love it now. It's truly one of my favorite books. It's probably one of the most to-the-point books about such subjects as blackholes and wormholes. It's easy to swallow, and it's not too long! No book on blackholes could ever be too long. Kip Thorne is a genius, and his books show it. Many would-be astrophysics buffs, such as many posting here, like to illuminate their egos by trying to challange the fabric of this book by throwing in such nonsense as "it's kinda flawed" and "it's good for the non-intellectual, but I found it lacking". Trust me, this book isn't all sugar and spice. Still, give it a break. 1) It's pretty old. 2) How many of these losers are professors at CalTech and are close friends with Stephen Hawking himself? Get my drift? Now, get this book!

Only a notch down from genius *****

Black holes and time warps: Einstein's outrageous legacy, by Kip S. Thorne. My mother checked out a copy at the downtown library for me when I was 4 years old. I loved it then and I still love it now. It's truly one of my favorite books. It's probably one of the most to-the-point books about such subjects as blackholes and wormholes. It's easy to swallow, and it's not too long! No book on blackholes could ever be too long. Kip Thorne is a genius, and his books show it. Many would-be astrophysics buffs, such as many posting here, like to illuminate their egos by trying to challange the fabric of this book by throwing in such nonsense as "it's kinda flawed" and "it's good for the non-intellectual, but I found it lacking". Trust me, this book isn't all sugar and spice. Still, give it a break. 1) It's pretty old. 2) How many of these losers are professors at CalTech and are close friends with Stephen Hawking himself? Get my drift? Now, get this book!

Black Holes Explained as No One Else Can!!! *****
As I have with "Stephen Hawking's Universe" by John Boslough, I've read this book a number of times. The beginning pages of Kip Thorne's book give a hypothetical situation of a space traveler caught in the unapologetic and unforgiving throes of a tortuous black hole. Kip Thorne then goes into tremendous detail and great length about black holes including much history about legendary and not-so-well-known scientists and their contributions to black hole-type theories. This book effectively combines science history with science fact. While the book, at times, seems rather "heavy", a few re-reads of certain parts makes the information more easily digestible. This book is not generally an easy read, but it is a fascinating journey through the history of cosmological science. This book is, without doubt, one of the best (non-fiction) books I've ever read on any topic. Kip Thorne is an exceptional writer and, from what I can gather from this book, an exceptional scientist as well. This book laid a lot of the foundation work for my research into black holes in preparation for the writing of my science fiction novel "Temporal Armageddon".

Black Holes Explained as No One Else Can!!! *****

As I have with "Stephen Hawking's Universe" by John Boslough, I've read this book a number of times. The beginning pages of Kip Thorne's book give a hypothetical situation of a space traveler caught in the unapologetic and unforgiving throes of a tortuous black hole. Kip Thorne then goes into tremendous detail and great length about black holes including much history about legendary and not-so-well-known scientists and their contributions to black hole-type theories. This book effectively combines science history with science fact. While the book, at times, seems rather "heavy", a few re-reads of certain parts makes the information more easily digestible. This book is not generally an easy read, but it is a fascinating journey through the history of cosmological science. This book is, without doubt, one of the best (non-fiction) books I've ever read on any topic. Kip Thorne is an exceptional writer and, from what I can gather from this book, an exceptional scientist as well. This book laid a lot of the foundation work for my research into black holes in preparation for the writing of my science fiction novel "Temporal Armageddon".