Overview
For more than half a century, physicists and astronomers engaged in heated dispute over the possibility of black holes in the universe. The weirdly alien notion of a space-time abyss from which nothing escapes--not even light--seemed to confound all logic. This engrossing book tells the story of the fierce black hole debates and the contributions of Einstein, Hawking, and other leading thinkers who completely altered our view of the universe. Renowned science writer Marcia Bartusiak shows how the black hole helped revive Einstein's greatest achievement, the general theory of relativity, after decades during which it had been pushed into the shadows. Not until astronomers discovered such surprising new phenomena as neutron stars and black holes did the once-sedate universe transform into an Einsteinian cosmos, filled with sources of titanic energy that can be understood only in the light of relativity. Celebrating the hundredth anniversary of general relativity, Black Hole uncovers how the black hole really got its name and recounts the scientists' frustrating, exhilarating, and at times humorous battles over the acceptance of one of history's most dazzling ideas.
Full Product Details
Author: Marcia Bartusiak ,
Randye Kaye
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Imprint: Tantor Audio
ISBN: 9798200027835
Publication Date: 28 April 2015
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Audio
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
"[T]horoughly researched, beautifully written, and full of insights about the nature of the scientific enterprise.-- ""Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams"" One of the delights of this witty book is seeing the many ways physicists historically found to dismiss, deny and disdain black holes."" -- ""Washington Post"" ""Lively and dramatic."" -- "" Times Higher Education Supplement"" ""Packs a lot of learning into a deceptively light and enjoyable read."" -- ""New Scientist"" ""Six hours is just the right length for this audio history of black holes. Any more might fatigue general listeners, and any less might be too superficial for physics geeks...Narrator Randye Kaye's modulated delivery keeps the material moving...An illuminating view of how great thinkers wrestle with a radical concept and eventually propel it into the mainstream."" -- ""AudioFile"" ""Traces the crooked path black holes took through the history of science...[and] features intriguing cameos from many of history's well-known physicists."" -- ""Scientific American"" ""You don't need an advanced degree to enjoy this entertaining tale...A beautiful case study."" -- ""Wall Street Journal"""
Author Information
Combining her skills as a journalist with a master's degree in physics, Marcia Bartusiak has been covering the fields of astronomy and physics for three decades. Currently a professor of the practice of the Graduate Program in Science Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Science, Smithsonian, Discover, and National Geographic magazines. She is also the award-winning author of Archives of the Universe, Through a Universe Darkly, Thursday's Universe, The Day We Found the Universe, and Einstein's Unfinished Symphony. Randye Kaye is a national voice talent and actress, also currently heard as part-time newscaster and classical music host on NPR affiliates WSHU-FM and AM. Prior to that, while raising her children, she was a full-time morning personality for a top-rated Connecticut radio station in addition to her voice-over, on-camera, and theater work.
