Readings

Yesterday I received two of the books I ordered that go along with the modern physics course I've been working with. When I ordered the course, I pretty much expected it to be complete in itself, but as it turns out, it has lists of both essential and suggested readings for each session. When I saw these, I figured I couldn't afford all these books, so I would do without any. But about six sessions into the course and totally at sea, I decided it might be wise to reconsider.

Fortunately, though many books are listed, only a couple of them are "essential." These I ordered, and yesterday they arrived. I was surprised to find them - the first one anyhow ( Relativity and Its Roots ) - rather simple. My ego immediately says, in disappointment, "Well, I don't need to read this!" But in fact, it's just what I need. It starts at the beginning - with the early Greeks - and moves up (in amazingly few pages) to Einstein and relativity. It's full of detailed explanations and illustrations. It is not as exciting as the other stuff I've been reading, but without it, I'll remain far out to sea.