A perfect theory: a biography of General Relativity

In the centenary year of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity Professor Ferreira tells the story of how our present understanding of space, time, and gravity has emerged over the century.

Pedro Ferreira, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, Author of The Perfect Theory, Imperial Alumnus.

Einstein’s theory of general relativity is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics. For almost a century now, physicists have been delving into Einstein’s theory, seeking an understanding of the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of solar systems, stars, and galaxies. The expanding universe, the light-speed barrier, black holes, wormholes, time travel—general relativity has allowed scientists’ imaginations to take flight with new possibilities, revealing a universe that is much stranger than anyone ever expected.

Professor Pedro Ferreira’s The Perfect Theory explains just how staggering an achievement general relativity was while bringing to life the infighting that it sparked in the field of physics over the past century.

Professor Ferreira has written for Nature, Science, New Scientist, Physics World, Physics Today, Scientific American, Sky at Night, CERN Courier, BBC Focus, The Guardian. He has appeared in documentaries on Channel 4, BBC, Natural Geographic, Arte Channel and BBC Radio 4.

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