Einstein's Dreams (Vintage Contemporaries) Kindle Edition

"Einstein's Dreams" is a very thought-provoking novel with chapters representing what might have been the different ways Einstein might have been thinking about time as he developed his thoughts about it leading up to his groundbreaking theories, like....1. Suppose time is a circle resulting in the world repeating itself - people live their lives over, everything repeats.2. A world where time is like a flow of water - sometimes lives are transported back in time.3. A world where time has 3 dimensions just like an object can move in 3 dimensions - horizontal, vertical and longitudinal - so an object/person could participate in 3 different dimensions like having 3 different fates.4. A world with 2 times, one mechanical - unyielding, pre-determined and one body - makes up its mind as it goes along.5. A world where time flows slower the further from the center of the earth - likely people would prefer to live in mountains, height being a status.6. A world where time is visible all over - clocks, watches, bells, etc, time being a reference for everything.7. A world where cause and effect is erratic - scientists are considered buffoons, artists are joyous.8. A world where time passes but little happens.9. A world where the world will end on a specific day - so why learn of the future since everyone has the same fate.10. A world where time is different in different places - 13th, 15th, 18th centuries for example - the tragedy is that no one is happy since everyone is alone.11. A world where time brings more order.12. A world where time stands still then picks up speed as it moves in concentric circles away from the center - sometimes people would like to live in different places.13. A world with no time, only images.14. A world with no memory, everything happens for the first time.15. A world where time flows unevenly - changed plans,unexpected visions, therefore people take fewer risks.16. A world where all is in motion, a fixation on speed - everyone moves fast so things appear slower.17.A world where people live just one day - so no time to lose.18. A world where time flows backwards.19. A world where time is perceived differently by all.20. A world where people are either "later" or "nows" - either everything can be postponed or achieved.21. A world where time is not a quantity but a quality - no clocks, just perceive time by changes of the color of the sky, etc.22. A world with no future.23. A world where time is a visible dimension, like births, deaths, trees, etc.24. A world which stops and starts.25. A world where watches are not allowed, so there may be some great clock somewhere where people want to be.26. A world where time is a local phenomenon.27. A world where time is not fluid, but rigid extending infinitely in different directions.28. A world where time is like a reflection between mirrors - infinite images.29. A world with a shifting past - memories are fleeting.Maybe, just maybe, all these worlds or partial perceptions of them do exist with us - the book does let a reader's mind run with thoughts.

After talking about this book for years I finally decided to look for a copy and gift it to my friend. It is a well imagined look at how Einstein thought about everyday life and the world at large. The book is comprised of several short stories which explore how Einstein thought about time. One story he used was about 2 women meeting for lunch. They lived in opposite directions from the restaurant. Each had to determine how long their commute would be. This left one thinking the lunch was at 11:45 AM while the other thought it was at 12:15 PM. It was amusing but something that I have experienced.My favorite story was about Einstein's concern that people living in valleys may age at rates differently than those who live high in the mountains. There are all sorts of dilemmas that the author thinks must Einstein must have worried about and it is interesting to read how the author thinks Einstein resolved them. It's a quick read because each question has its own short chapter. It's small in size so it's great for travel.

It's an excellent, quick read, but I had high expectations for this book based on other people's reviews.The book is a mix of short stories/fantasies that mixes dreams and physics.I think the book could be twice as long and explore more fresh ideas. However, it's a nice easy read. Some writing elements are getting repetitive but it's a good piece of writing.

Imagine a world where you know when the world will end. Would you spend the rest of your life reading poetry, making love and taking vacations to exotic locations? Would you work furiously until the last second, when the earth dissolves into raindrops or melts from the heat of the sun? So many questions, so many ideas to turn into dreams of what time could be, what it actually is and what it might be in your future.As we find ourselves falling into time over the years, time seems to be racing by faster. Imagine a world where time is different for everyone, or is this already true?Almost every chapter in this book is a dream or a thoughtful consideration. There are moments of sublime beauty and unexpected humor. Visual paradise jumps out from the pages as you read vivid descriptions of worlds where time changes as constantly as the hands on a clock.Alan Lightman presents a journey into worlds where your life could either repeat in endless cycles or you could live your entire life in a day. The concept of being able to live three lives or more at once sounds wonderful because imagine the goals you could accomplish.The moment of stunning clarity came to me on page seventy. "There is a place where times stands still. Raindrops hang motionless in air. Pendulums of clocks float mid-swing."Alan Lightman is an artist with words and paints breathlessly beautiful images. Time could be a flock of birds or a movie rewinding endlessly into eternity past.After reading Einstein's Dreams you may feel you have lived in a dream. I recognized a number of my own philosophies of life and was amazed by the way Alan Lightman weaves dream-like contemplations into revelations of the philosophy of life itself. The time you spend reading Einstein's Dreams will seem far too short.This book is 4 ½ x 6 ½ and I recommend the hardcover edition. The cover is beautiful with golden chocolate brown and black backgrounds. The clock is printed in a shiny black ink and is much more impressive than the picture online.I must say this book impressed me and is much more an imprinting of impressions than a story with a specific plot and developed characters. The dreams of time are the main focus and the exploration of unique words will be exciting to anyone who enjoys climbing out of reality and searching for possibility in worlds of vivid words.~The Rebecca ReviewP.S. Now that I'm over 50 I want to read this book again as time definitely is going by twice as fast as when I was 30!

I absolutely love this book!

Since the book is not actually what Einstein was thinking at the time, I found that this piece was a bit too fictional for my taste. Don't get me wrong, it may be a good book for someone who loves philosophy and science fiction at the same time. My grandpa will love it.

Excellent read. The author takes us through a journey of imaginary snapshots of life in time.very interesting book. A must read

Several stories are written in relation to the universe descript by Einstein. It doesn't very clear how it works, but a sense of all exists. Every story explicates some particularities of the Einstein model. For example, the time can flows in a certain way, the events happen in according to same order. Then the narration goes away with a sure difficulty of approach. But the style of writing is good and it is possible to read with pleasure.

Not what I expected - intriguing but it won’t be on my recommended reading.