The River of Time (Canto) 1st Edition by Igor D. Novikov (PDF)

Description

Can we change the past? The surprising answer to this question can be found in the final chapters of this book. Examining the history of the study of time and presenting in detail the modern state of physical research on the subject, this book is a superb overview of a fascinating subject. The figures who have helped to shape our views on time are presented as real people, in the context of their own times and struggles: from Socrates’ troubles in Athens, to the experiences of physicists under the former Soviet Union. In addition Novikov details his own experiences with great Russian and Western physicists, such as Sakharov, Zeldovich, Rees and Hawking. Details of modern theories in fields such as the possibility of time machines, anomalous flows of time (at black or white holes) and the possible source of The River of Time are described with authority and clarity.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐While Novikov did present some good and interesting info on the nature of time, there was not enough. If you are interested in Navikov’s personal life in science or some of the history of Russian science, there is much of that here. If you are only interested in the nature of time discussions there is way too much irrelevant material. Yet still the time ideas are worth the struggle through the rest.

⭐First published in 1998, this book is a sort of romp through the physical understanding of time or perhaps it should be said the understanding of time through physics. By far the most salient point being made is that time is dependent on the nature and configuration of space. So Novikov spends most of his time describing the contemporary understanding of general relativity, quantum theory and unification theories in a vigorous and cheerfully non-mathematical way so that the role of time in these approaches is clarified. The illustrations are cartoons by K. Moshkin that are very well integrated into the text. At the end of the book Novikov dares to postulate a possible time travel backwards in time and asserts in a clever way that the laws of physics can act to prevent paradoxes of the “kill your grandfather” type. In all this book may not be the most challenging approach to time as a physical entity but it is certainly enough to be thought provoking.In addition, there is another reason to read this book. That is that it provides a flesh and blood look at Soviet science, especially physics in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It is very clear that Novikov was very much not in sympathy with the Communist regime but the stories of human relations he tells paint a vivid picture of life, and scientific life, going on in spite of an environment rather different from that we in the West experienced. Throughout this picture of Soviet physics is the character and influence of Yakov Zel’dovich and interestingly mirrored in the narratives is the character and influence of Kip Thorne who seems to have been the closest Western point of contact with the Zel’dovich group in the Soviet era.Certainly a book well worth the time to read.

⭐This book is just not about “Time,” Novikov takes us to various places and levels with an informative, wonderfully positive writing style rarely found in a “scientific book.”Just remember this book includes a lot of information, quite a bit of it not directly related to “time.”Some other interesting books on “time” are:G.J. Whitrow’s “The Natural Philosophy of Time,” second edition, 1980, does great job of discussing and elucidating these tricky issues of “time.” Whitrow’s book also presents a wonderful historical perspective of the human concept of “time” throughout the ages.Also interesting is “chronos,” by Etienne Klein, originally published in French in 2003, English translation 2005. This book is a diamond in the ruff which contains some interesting ideas, e.g. footnote 3 (located on p. 168) to Chapter 7, where Klein discusses Albert Le Grand (1200-1280), and Le Grand’s statement:”What depends on the soul is not the existence of time, but the perception of time.”And this to me this what so many people who write and discuss “time” seem to miss. The existence of “time” does not need humans or human “consciousness,” “time” existed before humans and will exist after humans are gone. What we struggle with is the perception of “time.”Another good book is “About Time- Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution,” 1995, by Paul Davies. This book is worth a read.

⭐I’m rediscovering my desire to learn more about the theoretical physics, an interest I had to leave behind while earning degrees in electrical engineering.Igor has written an amazing book and the English translation is up to the mark. This book is nothing to be scared about, coz without going in mathematical details of tensor analysis! he has presented the complex ideas in plain english. All you have to know is basic high school physics. Igor’s writing style is personal and you’d feel an afinity towards him while reading his personal accounts.The chapters in the end need a bit more concentration but it pays off big and makes you wonder ‘can this reallt be! ‘.The chapter on time machine is really wonderful, and you might have to read it couple of times to get a better grasp of the concepts.Like any other subject, you can’t learn all about the wonders of quantum physics by reading just one book but it will give you a solid foundation to go ahead and pick the next book on the subject matter.

⭐Very well written, especially interesting is the mixture of anecdotes and biographical data on the scientists and their theories, so this is not a ‘cold’ science divulgation book. In just 200+ pages, the author reviews most of moderm Physics, with elegancy and simplicity. The speculations and descriptions of Time Machine at the end of the book are simply fascinating, and make your fantasy fly. Very suitable for laic people and also for science students and professionals.

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