Author Description

Product Description Why did Einstein tirelessly study unified field theory for more than 30 years? In this book, the author argues that Einstein believed he could find a unified theory of all of nature's forces by repeating the methods he thought he had used when he formulated general relativity. The book discusses Einstein's route to the general theory of relativity, focusing on the philosophical lessons that he learnt. It then addresses his quest for a unified theory for electromagnetism and gravity, discussing in detail his efforts with Kaluza-Klein and, surprisingly, the theory of spinors. From these perspectives, Einstein's critical stance towards the quantum theory comes to stand in a new light. This book will be of interest to physicists, historians and philosophers of science. Review "... the reader who perseveres will be well rewarded with an excellent understanding of Einstein's journey and a sophisticated appreciation for the challenge of unification. This is an excellent historical technical review; the book should be on the shelves of all colleges with physics departments." A. Spero, Choice Magazine "Jeroen van Dongen has written a superb account of Einstein's strategy in discovering the general theory of relativity, his attempts at unification of physical forces, and his resistance to the quantum theory." Howard E. Brandt, Mathematical Reviews "Jeroen van Dongen's Einstein's Unification is an impressive and important book. Einstein's Unification is a unified, detailed, coherent, and convincing narrative about the path Einstein took after coming to general relativity and the reason for his all-consuming search for a unified theory of the forces of nature. Van Dongen's book will deeply influence how we understand Einstein and how future biographies that try to relate all aspects of Einstein's life will be written." S. S. Schweber, Isis Book Description Shedding new light on E