Einstein's Dreams Paperback – November 9, 2004

After talking about this book for years I finally decided to look for a copy and gift it to my friend. It is a well imagined look at how Einstein thought about everyday life and the world at large. The book is comprised of several short stories which explore how Einstein thought about time. One story he used was about 2 women meeting for lunch. They lived in opposite directions from the restaurant. Each had to determine how long their commute would be. This left one thinking the lunch was at 11:45 AM while the other thought it was at 12:15 PM. It was amusing but something that I have experienced.My favorite story was about Einstein's concern that people living in valleys may age at rates differently than those who live high in the mountains. There are all sorts of dilemmas that the author thinks must Einstein must have worried about and it is interesting to read how the author thinks Einstein resolved them. It's a quick read because each question has its own short chapter. It's small in size so it's great for travel.

Playful and imaginative. Interludes were unanticipated delights. Light, quick and typically value avoidant (not especially optimistic or pessimistic)Indeed, what would existence be like without time?

"Einstein's Dreams" is a very thought-provoking novel with chapters representing what might have been the different ways Einstein might have been thinking about time as he developed his thoughts about it leading up to his groundbreaking theories, like....1. Suppose time is a circle resulting in the world repeating itself - people live their lives over, everything repeats.2. A world where time is like a flow of water - sometimes lives are transported back in time.3. A world where time has 3 dimensions just like an object can move in 3 dimensions - horizontal, vertical and longitudinal - so an object/person could participate in 3 different dimensions like having 3 different fates.4. A world with 2 times, one mechanical - unyielding, pre-determined and one body - makes up its mind as it goes along.5. A world where time flows slower the further from the center of the earth - likely people would prefer to live in mountains, height being a status.6. A world where time is visible all over - clocks, watches, bells, etc, time being a reference for everything.7. A world where cause and effect is erratic - scientists are considered buffoons, artists are joyous.8. A world where time passes but little happens.9. A world where the world will end on a specific day - so why learn of the future since everyone has the same fate.10. A world where time is different in different places - 13th, 15th, 18th centuries for example - the tragedy is that no one is happy since everyone is alone.11. A world where time brings more order.12. A world where time stands still then picks up speed as it moves in concentric circles away from the center - sometimes people would like to live in different places.13. A world with no time, only images.14. A world with no memory, everything happens for the first time.15. A world where time flows unevenly - changed plans,unexpected visions, therefore people take fewer risks.16. A world where all is in motion, a fixation on speed - everyone moves fast so things appear slower.17.A world where people live just one day - so no time to lose.18. A world where time flows backwards.19. A world where time is perceived differently by all.20. A world where people are either "later" or "nows" - either everything can be postponed or achieved.21. A world where time is not a quantity but a quality - no clocks, just perceive time by changes of the color of the sky, etc.22. A world with no future.23. A world where time is a visible dimension, like births, deaths, trees, etc.24. A world which stops and starts.25. A world where watches are not allowed, so there may be some great clock somewhere where people want to be.26. A world where time is a local phenomenon.27. A world where time is not fluid, but rigid extending infinitely in different directions.28. A world where time is like a reflection between mirrors - infinite images.29. A world with a shifting past - memories are fleeting.Maybe, just maybe, all these worlds or partial perceptions of them do exist with us - the book does let a reader's mind run with thoughts.

I like breaking away from the norm and I like Einstein and quantum mechanics and all those elements that intertwine and this was a nice way to turn it into a story that was different from the everyday science that could bore most folks.

This book was recommended by someone who was rather passionate about it, or else I wouldn't have bothered with it. This book didn't present any challenging ideas. Lightman's inquiries are the same ones that we as children and our children have marveled about time. And I am sure when they get into middle ages like we do, they will also have the same wonderment and longings that we have as grown ups about the "what if's" and the "why did that or this happened?" When your five year old son ask "Can we go and visit George Washington?" because he just read a simple little book that fascinated him about the man. You try and try to explain that George is no longer alive, then the inivitable barage of questions regarding human immortality come rushing out of this curious little boy. As hard as you try, nothing is resolve so you leave the discussion there, then a few weeks later, your spouse calls you at work wanting any suggestions on how to calm a hysterical little boy because in the middle of playing with his legos he finally understands that people die, George died, Abraham died and yes everyone will die eventually, grandma, grandpa and yes even him. So you do your best to explain what the circle of life is all about. You then look upon your own life and how you have lived it so far. Are you happy? Did you make the right decisions? Did you chose the right mate? Did you always chose the right path? What if you didn't marry? These are common questions and experiences that we all share. The main merit of the book is Lightman's beautiful writing. I wouldn't call each chapter a vignette, infact he didn't need to divide this little brown black book into chapters, he could have just written it continously until he ran out of ideas. He didn't even have to have the gimmicky title"Einstien's Dreams" He could have just called it "Lightman's Dreams" I do have a bone to pick with the a reference to Einstien religous convictions in 3 May 1905 "I want to understand time because I want to get close to the Old One." Einstien was a well known athiest. His only God was the amazing beauty he saw in Science. He stated in a letter to a friend "If something is in me which can be called religious, then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as science can reveal it." ( an excerpt from Who's Who in Hell, compiled by Allen Smith), So in conclusion, I am not trashing this book, I think its a nice read, it is well written and it presents some really neat, cute ideas about time and our perception of it.

must have been like these short, digestible chapters, each one stands on its own to allow you to put the book down when you need to.