EINSTEIN'S WAR

A thrilling history of the development of the theory of
relativity, “one of the essential pillars upholding our understanding of the
universe.”

Despite Einstein’s sole billing, this outstanding
history/biography gives equal billing to Arthur Eddington (1882-1944), the
British astronomer who championed relativity. This year is the 100th
anniversary of the year when proof of his theory, largely engineered by
Eddington, made Einstein (1879-1955) a scientific superstar. In his first book
for a general audience, Stanley (History of Science/New York Univ. Gallatin
School of Individualized Study; Huxley’s Church and Maxwell’s Demon:
From Theistic Science to Naturalistic Science, 2014, etc.) chronicles the
creation and acceptance of relativity against a background of the nasty
nationalism of World War I. The author reminds readers that in 1905, Einstein
described special relativity, a brilliant explanation of space, time, and
motion. However, it did not explain accelerated motion, which includes gravity.
Fixing that required years of labor, but Einstein succeeded in 1915 with
general relativity. Einstein was a rare scientist among the warring nations who
rejected often hateful patriotism. Eddington was another. Born a Quaker, he was
a prodigy who studied at Cambridge and became a distinguished astronomer. As
conscientious objectors, British Quakers suffered vicious persecution during
the war, and it was only through the efforts of his superiors that he was
spared. Eddington learned about relativity through a Dutch astronomer;
intrigued, he became its leading British advocate. Few colleagues showed
interest in theories of an obscure enemy scientist, but this did not prevent
Eddington from initiating plans, even as the war raged, for the famous 1919
eclipse expedition. The author excels in explaining its surprisingly complex
details, the tedious work required to tease out the minuscule bending of
starlight that obeyed Einstein’s prediction, and the still stunning explosion
of adulation that resulted when results were announced.

Stanley gives history priority over science. His explanation of
general relativity will be a stretch for readers unfamiliar with college
physics, but he delivers a superb account of Edison’s and Eddington’s
spectacularly successful struggles to work and survive under miserable wartime
conditions.