The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle Over General Relativity

Einstein's general theory of relativity was the greatest of his many contributions to physics, but surprisingly little has been written about how the subject blossomed after his death, with profound implications for current cosmology and astrophysics. Pedro Ferreira provides an enthralling account of the ideas and personalities of those involved.

-- "Roger Penrose"

In The Perfect Theory, Ferreira masterfully portrays the science and scientists behind general relativity's star-crossed history and argues that even now we are only just beginning to realize its vitality as a tool for understanding the cosmos.

-- "Scientific American"

No book better prepares armchair physicists for the intellectual excitement ahead!

-- "Booklist (starred review)"

With palpable delight, Ferreira details false starts, chance discoveries, and the vindication of long-ridiculed ideas that emerged from the work that predicted singularities, M-theory, and dark energy...Perhaps most importantly, Ferreira's clear explanations offer a wonderful look into a world of those who tackle the hard math that is 'the key to understanding the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of...the cosmos.'

-- "Publishers Weekly"

Ferreira does not downplay relativity's complexity and avoids the easy route of oversimplifying it into a cosmic magic show. The result is one of the best popular accounts of how Einstein and his followers have been trying to explain the universe for decades.

-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

This history of Einstein's general theory of relativity clearly is written for the non-physicist...The book is more like a series of mini-biographies than a critical examination of theories. And this approach works well in audio. Sean Runnette offers an able and even engaging narration...The chapter breaks are logical and frequent enough that one can listen for a short or long period without loss of continuity.

-- "AudioFile"

The Perfect Theory is a rollicking good read. We watch as Einstein's brilliant successors struggle and squabble about everything from black holes to quantum gravity. With crisp explanations and narrative flair, Ferreira offers us a fun, fresh take on a magnificent part of modern science.

-- "Steven Strogatz, Schurman Professor of Applied Mathematics, Cornell University, author of The Joy of x"

Pedro Ferreira portrays a community ensnared by a single great idea. With vivid detail, he brings to life the awesome story of one of humanity's greatest achievements.

-- "Janna Levin, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Barnard College/Columbia University, author of How the Universe Got Its Spots"

Einstein's general relativity is a theory of unrivaled elegance and simplicity. But the history of general relativity is messy, unpredictable, and occasionally dramatic. Pedro Ferreira is an expert guide to the twists and turns scientists have gone through in a quest to understand space and time.

-- "Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist, author of The Particle at the End of the Universe"

A fascinating introduction to our present understanding of space, time, and gravity, and to the confusion about how to go about finding a still better theory.

-- "P. James Peebles, Albert Einstein Professor Emeritus of Science, Princeton University"

A narrative chronicle of Einstein's theory of general relativity discusses the ideological battles that have surrounded it, exploring how the theory has been denounced, overlooked, and embraced by physicists throughout their collective effort to define the history of the universe.