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booksanna's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
4.5
This was a lovely introduction into the physical, philosophical, and logical intricacies of time. Although, we do not have all of the answers figured out yet for it, it was a great exploration. I like that the book tried to build up your knowledge in smaller steps with lots of analogies that helped to break down concepts. The author brought up a variety of perspective and different theories on the concept of time. Great weekend read. It does help break down such a complex idea into more processable chunks. Would recommend if you’re curious!
blackoxford's review against another edition
4.0
Difficult No Matter How You Do It
This is an outstanding summary of the scientific and philosophical views about time over the last 150 years. It is indeed and excellent introduction, particularly in its identification of the principle names which can be consulted for more detailed explanations. What it doesn’t do is make it any less arduous to understand what various theories mean. Time is simply enigmatic even when its enigmas are accounted for by a clever thinker. So, no short-cuts, therefore, to stretching one’s thinking beyond its comfort zone.
This is an outstanding summary of the scientific and philosophical views about time over the last 150 years. It is indeed and excellent introduction, particularly in its identification of the principle names which can be consulted for more detailed explanations. What it doesn’t do is make it any less arduous to understand what various theories mean. Time is simply enigmatic even when its enigmas are accounted for by a clever thinker. So, no short-cuts, therefore, to stretching one’s thinking beyond its comfort zone.
nickystrickland's review against another edition
4.0
As it says, a good basic introduction level to concepts of time in both physics and philosophy. With some easy to understand illustrations to explain concepts such as lightcones.
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
4.0
I read this partly as research for my novel project, but mostly just for fun, because I am slightly obsessed with time dilemmas. Just slightly. *cough*
Though this book is by no means exhaustive, it's a great basic overview of the various theories of time and time travel. It tries to condense them each into a couple of pages that can be easily swallowed by a casual reader, but you will still be required to do some mental gymnastics. That's the fun of it all, though!
Though this book is by no means exhaustive, it's a great basic overview of the various theories of time and time travel. It tries to condense them each into a couple of pages that can be easily swallowed by a casual reader, but you will still be required to do some mental gymnastics. That's the fun of it all, though!
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
Cool basics of time, read this as prep for an interview with the author for the Dickheads (Philip K. Dick ) podcast. Will include link in review when it is done.
frankiecully's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Really enjoy the 'Introducing' books I have a few now.
I have always been interested in the theory of time so this book suited me well.
Somethings got a bit confusing but all in all I loved it.
I have always been interested in the theory of time so this book suited me well.
Somethings got a bit confusing but all in all I loved it.
javin's review against another edition
5.0
This book is very informative
I read this book because I really wanted to learn about the idea of time and how it works. This book explained the key concepts around the idea of time really well. I really loved the illustrations. They added an artistic touch to the book. I find that many of the concepts are very abstract and hard to understand when I was reading this book for the first time. However I believe that the book fulfilled its purpose of introducing the concepts. For more information, the book provided a list of extra sources in which readers can find extra info.
-Javin
I read this book because I really wanted to learn about the idea of time and how it works. This book explained the key concepts around the idea of time really well. I really loved the illustrations. They added an artistic touch to the book. I find that many of the concepts are very abstract and hard to understand when I was reading this book for the first time. However I believe that the book fulfilled its purpose of introducing the concepts. For more information, the book provided a list of extra sources in which readers can find extra info.
-Javin
rakesh_pedram's review against another edition
4.0
Philosophy and science of time
I picked this book expecting an explanation on relativity and time travel but in addition it offered an philosophical and logical perspective on time giving history of several debates theories on it. Ideal book for anyone exploring the scientific basis of many SciFi novels and students of physics. I like the graphical books and illustrations make recall much better. Some concepts however are tough to grasp and you might need external references to fully grasp.
I picked this book expecting an explanation on relativity and time travel but in addition it offered an philosophical and logical perspective on time giving history of several debates theories on it. Ideal book for anyone exploring the scientific basis of many SciFi novels and students of physics. I like the graphical books and illustrations make recall much better. Some concepts however are tough to grasp and you might need external references to fully grasp.
augureader's review against another edition
Yeah... This was just not for me. I tried so hard to find this more than repetitive and basic, but, alas, I could not find its rhythm. So, on the DNF pile it goes. And I don't think I will pick it up again.
elliebmartin's review against another edition
Sort of lost my way about halfway through this tbh but still pretty interesting. Although don’t think I’ll be making conversation using quantum physics any time soon.