Page 89 - All About History - Issue 27-15

Reviews

EINSTEIN’S MASTERWORK:

1915 AND THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
The story behind Einstein’s most important work, and why
itshouldnotbeovershadowedbythesuccessofE=mc 2
Author John Gribbin Publisher Icon Books Price £10.99 Released Out now
lbert Einstein was without a doubt one of terminology or pages of formulas and equations.
thegreatestscientificmindsofthe20th Afterall,hismissionwiththisbookisnotto
century. While most people will be able to demonstrate the specifics of how Einstein derived
quotetheequationofhisSpecialTheoryof hismasterwork,buttoexplainwhytheGeneral
A relativity, E=mc , without a second thought, Theory is so important.
2
very few will be able to recite the basic principles of It is in the section on Einstein’s legacy in
hisGeneralTheoryofrelativity.ToJohnGribbin– particular that the significant impact of his work
the acclaimed author of many popular science titles is made clear. Gribbin
–thisisagreatshame,asEinstein’slattertheory of our understanding o
was arguably the achievement that deserved more universe has its roots i
recognition. This year marks the centenary of the General Theory, and ju
General Theory, providing the perfect opportunity howmanyscientistss
for Gribbin to shed some light on this often- 1915 have been inspire
overlooked work of genius. Einstein’s work.
Part biography, part “beginner’s guide to Einstein’s Masterwo
relativity,” Einstein’s Masterwork explains the provides an engaging
physicist’sfamoustheoriesinthecontextofhis evaluation of Einstein’
life,aswellastheworkofhispredecessorsand theories on relativity, a
contemporaries. There’s no need for a degree in an ideal read for anybo
theoretical physics to fully appreciate this book, as iscuriousabouttheic Einstein’s influence can
Gribbin’s writing is incredibly accessible. He avoids scientist’s life. still be felt in the study of
theoretical physics today
baffling readers with needlessly over-complicated Jackie Snowden

1944: THE SECOND WORLD WAR

IN THE AIR IN PHOTOGRAPHS

12 months of stunning wartime photography

Author Louis Archard Publisher Amberley Publishing Price £15.99 Released Out now
Y et another release from the fantastic white with the occasional smattering of colour introduction that outlines the situation of the war
imagery, the book is laid out in a monthly order
in 1944. Highlights include a half-sunken U-boat
‘The Second World War In The Air In
felled by the RAF and the incredible sight of a B-17
and incredibly easy to follow, even if you aren’t an
Photographs’ series, 1944 is exactly what it
says on its hardback book-shaped tin.
Flying Fortress about to drop its payload. Perhaps
avid reader of the book series to date. As it also
Performing its role perfectly, 1944 is a
is as comprehensive as it gets. For the reader who
rocket. Granted, it isn’t visually impressive, but
12-month odyssey of superb images from the includes maps, graphs and illustrations, this book one of the finest images though is the tail of a V2
penultimateyearofthewar Primarily black and desires more information, there’s even a detailed the photographer’s struggle to get a clean shot
illustrates just how much damage these flying
bombs could have caused if introduced earlier in
the war. A terrifying prospect.
It’s not just about the war machines either.
For instance, there’s a picture of a Nazi-occupied
Benedictine Abbey on top of Monte Cassino.
Later in the book, it’s being firebombed by Allied
bombers. Refreshingly, 1944 focuses on all theatres
of the war, so you get as much Operation Overlord
as you get Operation Detachment. Yes, the images
can get a little samey, but that’s really no problem
when the subject matter is so interesting. And
if you want more land and sea photography,
King George VI
Amberley has that covered in other books. An
inspects a Hawker
Typhoon Mk IB excellent edition to a fantastic series. Roll on 1945!
Jack Griffiths
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