This concise book introduces nonphysicists to the core philosophical issues surr
ounding the nature and structure of space and time, and is also an ideal resourc
e for physicists interested in the conceptual foundations of space-time theory.
Tim Maudlin's broad historical overview examines Aristotelian and Newtonian acco
unts of space and time, and traces how Galileo's conceptions of relativity and s
pace-time led to Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. Maudlin
explains special relativity with enough detail to solve concrete physical proble
ms while presenting general relativity in more qualitative terms. Additional top
ics include the Twins Paradox, the physical aspects of the Lorentz-FitzGerald co
ntraction, the constancy of the speed of light, time travel, the direction of ti
me, and more.
