Abraham Pais Libri

Since the death of Albert Einstein in 1955 there have been many books and articles written about the man and a number of attempts to "explain" relativity. In this new major work Abraham Pais, himself an eminent physicist who worked alongside Einstein in the post-war years, traces the development of Einstein's entire oeuvre. This is the first book which deal comprehensively and in depth with Einstein's science, both the successes and the failures.Running through the book is a completely non-scientific biography (identified in the table of contents by italic type) including many letters which appear in English for the first time, as well as other information not published before.Throughout the preparation of this book, Pais has had complete access to the Einstein Archives (now in the possession of the Hebrew University) and the invaluable guidance of the late Helen Dukas--formerly Einstein's private secretary.

The narrative explores the life of Abraham Pais, a prominent theoretical physicist, detailing his experiences during Nazi-occupied Holland and his subsequent life in America, particularly at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Through engaging anecdotes, he shares insights about renowned figures like Oppenheimer, Einstein, and Bohr, alongside notable non-scientists. Pais's enthusiasm for science and his unique perspective as a cosmopolitan individual enrich the memoir, blending personal history with a broader commentary on scientific development and cultural experiences.

Focusing on J. Robert Oppenheimer, this biography delves into the life of a pivotal figure in modern physics, renowned for his charisma and complexity. The author, an award-winning biographer of Albert Einstein, provides an insightful exploration of Oppenheimer's contributions and challenges within the scientific community. Accompanied by 40 illustrations, the book paints a vivid picture of his legacy and the impact he had on the world of science.

Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac was one of the founders of quantum theory. He is numbered alongside Newton, Maxwell and Einstein as one of the greatest physicists of all time. Together the lectures in this volume, originally presented on the occasion of the dedication ceremony for a plaque honoring Dirac in Westminster Abbey, give a unique insight into the relationship between Dirac's character and his scientific achievements. The text begins with the dedication address given by Stephen Hawking at the ceremony. Then Abraham Pais describes Dirac as a person and his approach to his work. Maurice Jacob explains how Dirac was led to introduce the concept of antimatter, and its central role in modern particle physics and cosmology. This is followed by David Olive's account of the origin and enduring influence of Dirac's work on magnetic monopoles. Finally, Sir Michael Atiyah explains the deep and widespread significance of the Dirac equation in mathematics.

Die Erlebnisse des Autors in Princeton 1946 bieten einen faszinierenden Einblick in die Begegnungen mit bedeutenden Physikern wie Albert Einstein und Niels Bohr. Die ersten Gespräche mit Einstein, die oft von Respekt und Leidenschaft geprägt waren, führten zu tiefen Diskussionen über die Quantentheorie. Der Autor schildert, wie er trotz anfänglicher Verständnisschwierigkeiten von Einstein eingeladen wurde, regelmäßig mit ihm zu sprechen, was die Grundlage für eine langanhaltende intellektuelle Freundschaft bildete. Die Gespräche fanden meist auf Deutsch statt, um die komplexen Gedanken Einsteins präzise auszudrücken.