 Get a Grip on Physics
by John Gribbin
Popular physics primer by an acclaimed author offers accessible, imaginative explanations of string theory, the Schrödinger's Cat paradox, quantum uncertainty, black holes, and other cosmic oddities. Numerous playful illustrations.
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| |  Fractals, Chaos, Power Laws: Minutes from an Infinite Paradise
by Manfred Schroeder
A fascinating exploration of the connections between chaos theory, physics, biology, and mathematics, this book abounds in award-winning computer graphics, optical illusions, and games that clarify memorable insights into self-similarity. 1992 edition.
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 Fearful Symmetry: Is God a Geometer?
by Ian Stewart, Martin Golubitsky
From the shapes of clouds to dewdrops on a spider's web, this accessible book employs the mathematical concepts of symmetry to portray fascinating facets of the physical and biological world. More than 120 illustrations.
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| |  The Story of Quantum Mechanics
by Victor Guillemin
Written by a renowned MIT mathematician, this introduction to the evolution of quantum physics also explores philosophical implications, including issues of causality, determinism, and free will. 48 illustrations. 1968 edition.
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| |  The Great Physicists from Galileo to Einstein
by George Gamow
The distinguished scientist and author traces the development of physics from the age of the ancient Greeks to modern particle physics, offering fascinating biographical and historical data. 136 illustrations.
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| |  Relativity Simply Explained
by Martin Gardner
One of the subject's clearest, most entertaining introductions offers lucid explanations of special and general theories of relativity, gravity, and spacetime, models of the universe, and more. 100 illustrations.
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 From X-rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries
by Emilio Segrč
A Nobel Laureate offers impressions of the development of modern physics, emphasizing complex but less familiar personalities. Offers fascinating scientific background and compelling treatments of topics of current interest. 1980 edition.
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| |  Landmark Experiments in Twentieth-Century Physics
by George L. Trigg
Clear, detailed explorations feature extensive quotations from original research papers in their coverage of groundbreaking research. Topics include x-rays, superconductivity, neutrinos, lasers, and many other subjects. 120 illustrations. 1975 edition.
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| |  Newton's Philosophy of Nature: Selections from His Writings
by Sir Isaac Newton, H. S. Thayer
A wide, accessible representation of the interests, problems, and philosophic issues that preoccupied the great 17th-century scientist, this collection is grouped according to methods, principles, and theological considerations. 1953 edition.
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 Einstein's Essays in Science
by Albert Einstein, Alan Harris
Speeches and essays in accessible, everyday language profile influential physicists such as Niels Bohr and Isaac Newton. They also explore areas of physics to which the author made major contributions.
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| |  The Principle of Relativity
by Albert Einstein, Francis A. Davis
Eleven papers that forged the general and special theories of relativity include seven papers by Einstein, two by Lorentz, and one each by Minkowski and Weyl. 1923 edition.
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 Relativity: The Special and General Theory
by Albert Einstein
The great physicist's own explanation of relativity, written for readers unfamiliar with theoretical physics, outlines the special and general theories and presents the ideas in their simplest, most intelligible form.
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| |  Sidelights on Relativity
by Albert Einstein
Two influential essays: "Ether and Relativity" (1920) discusses its subjects' related properties; "Geometry and Experience" (1921) describes Euclidean or other geometric systems in connection with the concept of a finite universe.
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 Space, Time, Matter
by Hermann Weyl
Excellent introduction probes deeply into Euclidean space, Riemann's space, Einstein's general relativity, gravitational waves and energy, and laws of conservation. "A classic of physics." — British Journal for Philosophy and Science.
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 Einstein's Theory of Relativity
by Max Born
Semi-technical account includes a review of classical physics (origin of space and time measurements, Ptolemaic and Copernican astronomy, laws of motion, inertia, more) and of Einstein's theories of relativity.
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| |  Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge
by Niels Bohr
Articles and speeches by the Nobel Prize–winning physicist, dating from 1934 to 1958, offer philosophical explorations of the relevance of atomic physics to many areas of human endeavor. 1961 edition.
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 Physics and Philosophy
by Sir James H. Jeans
A noted scientist illuminates the intertwined paths of philosophy and science from Plato to the present, and examines the transition from Newtonian classical mechanics to modern relativistic physics.
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| |  Cosmology
by Hermann Bondi
A co-developer of the steady-state theory explores his conception of the expanding universe. This historic book was among the first to present cosmology as a separate branch of physics. 1961 edition.
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 Relativity and Common Sense: A New Approach to Einstein
by Hermann Bondi
Accessible, radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory by a distinguished scientist derives relativity from Newtonian ideas rather than by opposing them. Very little mathematics required. 60 illustrations.
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| |  The Unity of the Universe
by D. W. Sciama
This accessible approach uses compelling photos, figures, and examples to address and answer profound questions about the universe. "An engrossing book, an invigorating intellectual exercise." — Scientific American. 1959 edition.
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 Relativity, Thermodynamics and Cosmology
by Richard C. Tolman
Landmark study discusses Einstein's theory, extends thermodynamics to special and general relativity, and also develops the applications of relativistic mechanics and thermodynamics to cosmological models.
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