#5 on the paperback non-fiction list for the London Daily Telegraph, 6/26/10
Stephen Fry
“I can think of no one, Stephen Hawking included, who more perfectly combines authority, knowledge, passion, clarity and powers of elucidation than Brian Cox. If you really want to know how Big Science works and why it matters to each of us in the smallest way then be entertained by this dazzlingly enthusiastic man. Can someone this charming really be a professor?”
New Scientist, 6/24/09
“To get at the origins of E=mc2, the poster-child for Einsteins’s special theory of relativity, [Cox and Forshaw] must delve into deep principles of science and wield a good deal of mathematics. They do it well…They have blazed a clear trail into forbidding territory, from the mathematical structure of space-time all the way to atom bombs, astrophysics and the origin of mass.”
The Huffington Post, 7/8/09
“An account of relativity physics accessible to a wide range of various publics. If you're not a physicist (or not yet a physicist) and you want to understand what Einstein and relativity theory are all about, you would do well to read this book. The writing is clear, sparkling in places, and totally without vanity. Relativity theory, Einstein's supreme gift to us, is at the heart of the way science currently looks at physical reality, and anyone with an adventurous mind should be intrigued by what two smart physicists say about it in plain language…[A] delightful little book.”
Sacramento Book Review, 7/13/09
“It’s always fun when brilliant minds take on complex questions, particularly when said brilliant minds are happy to share their conclusions with readers, in reader-friendly and fascinating books such as Why Does E=mc2?...There is a great deal of knowledge and quite competent explanation throughout the book, which should serve as a dream come true for anyone who ever loved science, or wanted to learn more about it without having to go back to school. Come to this read with an open mind and a desire to learn, and you will come away with a treasure trove of knowledge."
Boston Globe, 7/19/09
“A mild-mannered, digressive, mostly math-free walk-through of the world’s most famous equation…[It] remind[s] us that Einstein’s equation is not some esoteric idea best pondered by scientific supermen, but a profound insight that continues to change lives…Cox and Forshaw’s enthusiasm for their material is plain…You will find them accommodating escorts.”
Infodad.com, 7/30/09
“Despite their formidable accomplishments and obviously outstanding intellects [Cox and Forshaw] are willing—and able—to unravel some Einsteinian thinking for the benefit of mere mortals. Why Does E=mc2? is a joy to read in part because of its juxtaposition of breeziness with complexity…Reading it is an intellectually exhilarating experience.”
Publishers Weekly online, 8/3/09
“Cox and Forshaw offer lay readers a fascinating account of modern scientists' view of the world, and how it got that way…Though the basics are covered in detail, there's plenty here for science buffs to ponder.”
SeedMagazine.com, “Seed Picks”, August 2009
“To move beyond a cursory understanding of Einstein’s iconic equation, put yourself in the adept hands of physicists and science educators Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw. Using clear language and a few clearly explained equations, they demystify physics’ most counterintuitive claims.”
Discovery.com, 7/31/09
“As Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw prove in this wonderful 264 page exploration of physics, Einstein's equation describes an elegant and succinct view of our universe, a view that is captured excellently in the text…Something of a page turner…It's the enthusiasm for physics in Why Does E=mc2? that is key, reinvigorating relativity and presenting it in a modern and entertaining light…A great read…By the time you reach the last page, you realize just how beautifully complex, yet elegant, our universe really is.”
Bookslut.com, August 2009
“[Cox and Forshaw] bend over backwards to reassure math-challenged readers…This is not only a painstakingly accessible explanation of spacetime, mass, particles, gravity, and a whole bunch of things that are just plain not simple. It's also an explanation, for non-scientists, of what physicists do, and why they want to do it.”
Bookviews blog, August 2009
“The authors provide a definition that anyone can understand and then apply it to some exciting science taking place right now…Read this book and I guarantee that it will make you the smartest person in the room!”
Flavorwire.com, 8/17/09
“Makes some of science’s most famous tenets easily accessible—even for those who barely passed sophomore chemistry…Crisp, engaging prose.”
GearDiary.com, 8/11/09
“Read this book if you are interested in your universe and if you have ever stared at a starry sky and wondered how the twinkling stars you were looking at sent their twinkle billions of years ago at the speed of light…A concise, captivating, passionate, and well written explanation of Einstein’s Mass Energy Equivalence.”
Internet Review of Books, September
“Written for an intelligent lay person who has an interest in the sciences. If you have taken high-school algebra, you have enough mathematics to follow the discussions…‘The universe is much richer than our everyday experiences would have us believe,’ Cox and Forshaw write, and their book amply demonstrates their assertion.”
American Scholor, Autum issue
“Cox and Forshaw skillfully combine biography with a narrative of discovery, employing some of Einstein’s own thought experiments…I expected Cox and Forshaw to lament the current gaps in physics…But they are optimists tempered by hard doses of reality."
Physics World, August issue
“Pairs the enthusiasm of newcomers with the knowledge of experts…Cox and Forshaw have aimed their tour of gravity, mass and quantum weirdness squarely at the math-shy general public. Readers in this category should benefit from plenty of helpful and mostly non-mathematical explanations…With CERN’s Large Hadron Collider due to restart this autumn, the authors’ timing is impeccable…A useful reminder of how profoundly strange physics can appear to the novice.”
SciTech Book News, September issue
“Accessible to general readers…[Cox and Forshaw] offer lay readers an explanation of Einstein's theory and how it underpins our understanding of the workings of the universe—answering questions such as what energy and mass are, what light is and why stars shine, why nuclear power is more efficient than coal or oil—providing readers with an opportunity to explore their own notions of space and time.”
CoolHunting.com, “Back to School Essentials”, 8/28“By exploring each part of Albert Einstein’s famous equation, two physicists ultimately explain the theory of relativity.” (Science News, 10/24/09)
“Takes a riveting look at how Einstein’s famous theory of relativity relates to our modern world. Clear and concise, the entertaining book sheds light on the world of physics for the layman, effectively allowing even the most science-challenged audience to understand the complexities of the subject.”
Magill Book Review, October 2009
“Using minimal mathematics, the authors present an intriguing, accessible description of Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity, how space-time relationships work, and why it is important in the modern world…Teaches readers who are not familiar with physics some complicated topics in a rather simple, straightforward, entertaining manner…Rewards of increased knowledge and insights as to how the universe works will be reaped from this book for all those who have any interest in physics and its many applications to everyday life.”
Charleston Post and Courier SC, 10/11
“A fun romp with science...The often amusing lecture by British physicists Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is written in plain language and full of fun examples.”
Science News, 10/24/09
“By exploring each part of Albert Einstein’s famous equation, two physicists ultimately explain the theory of relativity.”
Discover magazine’s Bad Astronomy blog
“Excellent.”
ScienceforPeople.com
“Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw have summoned up the audacity to write a book on relativity for lay people. Although this has been attempted before, it has rarely been done so well…Cox and Forshaw know their stuff…[They make] the science sound fresh and fun…The book quickly and painlessly explains why E=mc2…This book is a wonderful introduction into the wild world of stretchy time, warped space and unbelievable energies…Give this book a shot.”
MSNBC.com’s Cosmic Log blog, 11/24/09
“The restart of the world’s biggest particle smasher, the Large Hadron Collider, should spark interest in recently published books that delve into the big picture surrounding subatomic physics, such as Why Does E=mc2?”
Manchester Evening News, 3/6/10
“Delivering cutting edge 21st century physics in a digestible form and publicizing science is [Cox’s] stock-in trade and he can do it as easily in book form. Along with co-author and fellow Manchester University professor Jeff Forshaw, the enthusiastic ‘rock star physicist’ and former member of D:Ream tackles Einstein’s most famous equation and brings the subject to life. It’s a book that will primarily appeal to anyone with an existing interest in science, but if you’ve ever wanted to understand the basic principles of energy, mass and light there’s no better place to learn.”
Metapsychology Online Reviews, 3/7/10
“The authors manage effectively both to explain why E=mc2 and to convince us that we ought to care…Cox and Forshaw do remarkably well to keep the reader engaged through their discussion of some particularly difficult mathematical concepts…The authors demonstrate, with clarity and ease, how Einstein’s theory of special relativity is important in all aspects of our lives, from our own existence to the workings of everyday objects…An entertaining and enlightening read.”
Tucson Citizen, 3/17/10
“A book written by two physicists is enough to give any critic pause. I approached it with much apprehension but quickly discovered that not only is the bulk of the book accessible, it is actually a perfect blend of science and universal truths…By explaining the theories behind such massive projects as the atomic bomb and nuclear power, Cox and Forshaw build a convincing case that this simple equation contains the very backbone of nature and that by recognizing it for what it us, we can challenge and change many of our perspectives of space and time.”
London Sunday Telegraph, 3/14/10
“[The book] explain[s] some of physics’ most fiendish concepts—like the nature of space and the origin of mass—in sparkling prose.”
Choice magazine, January 2010
“A popular account of the intellectual interplay between elementary particle physics, relativity theory, and cosmology…It does a very nice job of explaining the counterintuitive aspects of spacetime and the relationship between time, space, energy, and mass…Readers of this book will be better prepared to understand the news coming out of CERN…Recommended.”
The Big Bang Book Club, August 2010 pick“An accessible, entertaining, and enlightening explanation of the best-known physics equation in the world, as rendered by two of today’s leading scientists…One of the most exciting and accessible explanations of the theory of relativity in recent years.” London Times, 7/3/10“A brilliant starting point for any non-expert who wants to understand the most important equation yet formulated. This is a lucid and intelligent book. It does demand some work from the reader, as relativity can be simplified only so far, but perseverance is worthwhile. The idea that space and time are not immutable constants is fundamental and dizzyingly exciting.”
A deeply fascinating, engaging, highly accessible explanation of Einsteins equation, using everyday life to explore the principles of physics
The most accessible, entertaining, and enlightening explanation of the best-known physics equation in the world, as rendered by two of today’s leading scientists.