What Is Relativity? Paperback – Illustrated, January 23, 2003

If you really want to understand special relativity - this is the book that even school kids can follow. Most concepts and proofs are easy to follow geometric proof. The writing style is simple and did I mention this book has cartoons as illustration. Time dilation, length contraction, bring it on, nothing will be difficult after you read this one.

As a physicist, I studied (and taught) Relativity as a graduate course and also seen many popular books but this is simply the best book I have seen. (Other favorite book of mine dealing with this subject requiring simple math is George Gamow's One Two Three Infinity and Mr Tomkins).Actually I read this book as a young boy and really liked it. Of course, like many other physicists, I still treasure the classic set of the 10 volumes of Theoretical Physics text-books.Landau was one of the greatest physicist in the world, and this books shows he was also a great teacher.Simply the best book on the subject.

Enjoyed reading. Its understanding the concept of relativity rather than going through the subject of "Special theory of relativity" . No need to be a physics scholar to understand the concepts mentioned in the book. This book is for all and is able to make some difficult concepts simple. I love this book.

I read this book first time when I was in grade 6. After completion I could not sleep properly for couple of days due to the excitement. I was able to understand the meaning of Special theory of relativity, why time is relative, and it was too much fun and excitement for a person in grade six. Just buy and read it.

This is probably the only book that teaches layman the true nature of relativity (time expands and rulers can shrink). It does is in just 60 or so pages. After reading this book, it is marvelous to see how other books fumble around with explanations.

The figure on page 45 does contains an error. The arrow indicating the velocity of the train is opposite what it should be. One may verify this by visiting wikipedia or consulting textbooks on SR. The book overall is superb!

Landau and Rumer do an excellent job of explaining the basics of relativity. You will be hard pressed to find any book that explains these ideas more clearly or succinctly. Finally, the treatment itself demonstrates the power of theory and experiment in its ability to overturn our most closely held intuitions.

Never felt the need to submit a review -- before this book. This is the lightest science related text I have bought. (Did the other review sway me? Probably.) This translated-from-Russian text includes vintage Russian illustrations, which are amusing on their own, but the actual science is so very shallow. It's not enough to rehash the standard scenarios that tweak our everyday experience -- Einstein revealed a subtlety to the theories of Galileo and Newton that went unappreciated for centuries. Perhaps too much to expect from 65 pages...

Given it was written by a Physics Nobel Laureate, it should have definitely included a discussion and, if possible, and explanation as to why the speed of light is the outer limit of speed. This is simply taken at face value (from Einstein's Theory). Another problem I have with the book is that the notion of the constant speed of light, in any and all directions, is not explained, i.e. why?

Any adult can understand the concept of relativity using this book. Lots of illustrations.

Testo molto semplice ed elegante che illustra i principi della relatività senza usare matematica. Ottimo per un approccio all'argomento, magari in un modulo d'insegnamento della FISICA in lingua inglese (Clil learning).