Introducing Time: A Graphic Guide (Graphic Guides)

The author did a very good job for introducing this big and diffuclt topic within simple paragraphs.Here I'll try to figure out the main points which are hidden in the structure of the book.In the beginning, the author started to talk about several concepts such as1.Clocks2.Psychological time3.Time scenarios4.Relationalism and absolute time5.Relative and non-relative6.Tenseless and tensed7.Dimensions8.Motion and changeThese conceptions can help us to rethink our world in several different ways.Then, he introduced special relativity--to explain Time Travel is logical possible(under the classical logic: A=A).It means that we can not violate the rule "A=A" when we think about Time travel.Further, he continued to discuss General relativity to explain--is it possible for phyical Time Travel?After that,he used a very good,in my opinion,method- Thermodynamics- to explain:1.where and how did the universe come from?2.what possible will the universe be in the future?According to a great German philosopher-Kant,we human beings carry a piror facualty-Time,Space,Cause,Effect-when we were born. We percept our surrounding under this framework. Hence,to understand these categories (Time,Space,Cause,Effect) are important. Physics has devoted a big part to Time and Space(or Timespace). In history, many great thinkers-such as Newton, Einstein-proposed thier unique worldview of space and time to promote human beings' intellection. The book included their conceptions and discussed two of categories well.I do not have any background of physics. However, I bet that even you are in lack of fundemental knowledge of physics, you still can learn about "Time(Space)" through this book.Finally, I have to say again that the author introduced the difficult topic very well.By the way, I think my review may be more suitable for someone who has finished the book than those who don't.p.s.Sorry for my poor English.

Gulp. Since this book sets out to explain concepts that originated with Einstein, it was perhaps predictable that this book was going to be a challenge. It was.The comic strip approach helps initially - and the graphics are amazing. But ultimately, it added to my frustration as subliminally I was feeling that I wasn't able to understand a kids comic. Not the best feeling.I managed to gain a little more knowledge about the topic - so kudos to the author for that. But I can't say that I got to the end feeling that I'd enjoyed the book. It was too much like hard work for that.

I found the way the book dealt with time done well, though the graphics didn't really add much. It was a bit of a distraction. If you want to know some of the theories regarding the arrow of time, is time real and can you travel back in time, it's worth a read.

It’s difficult to wrap one’s mind around every concept, but this material is enough to instigate a way of thinking not conventional to the normal way of life. It’s enough to demonstrate how little we understand about the universe.

It's not that the back is not good quality....it just isn't good for ME. It was way too technical and I found myself unable to follow the concepts. But when it comes right down to it, I may not have been that interested, either. The graphics were great and what grabbed my attention in the first in place. So I recommend the book for those who really want to learn more about time, literally.

a very informative and interesting book. it is an overview of the subject which clearly explains the differing viewpoints and theories of various philosophers and physicists concerning time - all the way from those who believe that time is an essential and absolute reality, to those, like goedel, who maintained that it is simply an illusion and does not even exist (the book clearly presents his reasoning for this conclusion.)

Very interesting!

Great introduction to the concept of "Time". This book, with it's comic book style illustrations and easy to digest content, helps one begin to fathom the many complexities and paradoxes inherent in our current understanding of "time".

Lovely, thoughtful discussion on time - delightful read. Keeps a great balance between the science and maths and the serious side , comparing it well with the humorous and anecdotal side of the book which shows the light-hearted approach to how much we really don’t understand at the end of the day. Really discusses all of the arguments from the great philosophers, mathematicians and other scientists throughout the years and sets the arguments out plainly and discusses them properly. Really a great read - time to pick up this book !!!!!!!!

It contains descriptions of two mainstream contrasting views and dozens of other concepts or philosophies about how the time could be perceived. Two mainstream views are tensed and tenseless theories of time, and other concepts would be for example Geroch's theorem, Godel's rotating universe, Einstein's relativity, Galilean's relativity, McTaggart's argument, Poincare's conventionalism, Leibniz's relationalism, Newtonian time, Rabi's atomic clock, Nietzsche's eternal recurrence, and so so many more.This book is a true philosophical and/or freethinking feast. Every page, or double page, offers a view that lights up another angle of what is and was out there in terms of understanding the time. The basic philosophical quest is still firmly here. Questions like is there a time? and if yes how it behaves, standing or moving? and if moving how fast? in which direction? has been answered many different ways. So technically, there is no one particular view tat rules out all the others, and the debate is still on.In the end, it's only a question of choosing right concepts that appeal to you, and try to understand them to the ground, so you can see the point clearly. And then the more clear points you can see, the more options you have to choose for yourself, which ones are more realistic, and which ones less. This gives the reader the exercise in imagination, streching it out a litlle bit. I recommend that you will try it out for yourself to see which concepts ring the bell, and which sound totally useless and immature. It's worth the journey.

I was a little disappointed with this book. As others have stated the cartoons were virtually unreadable. Besides that, I found the book difficult to read. Can't put my finger on exactly why, perhaps because it felt rushed, too sanitised ... not sure, but did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped, nor did I gain a better understanding of time than I already had.

I love the Introducing series and this book on time is excellent. Covers all of the main subject areas to do with time, is easy to read and well laid out. Some people complain about the art work but I find it helps me to not get bored with what otherwise can be hard to read subject areas. Great book!!!

A slow introduction leading to some fascinating concepts. Novel illustrations. Presented in a light hearted way - easy to follow and captivating reading on an interesting concept.Time travel is not only possible in terms on relativity but also in reality.ER