The book by David Mermin "It's a Matter of Time" is a special case of relativity literature. I confess that I began reading it, believing that within its pages I would find nothing more than yet another presentation of the special theory of relativity stated, at best, with care and clarity.
However, I soon realized that I held in my hands the rich experience of a teacher who has struggled to formulate statements that are scientifically accurate on the one hand, and digestible by an audience that lacks scientific background but possesses sound logical reasoning and wishes to understand something as obscure as the special theory of relativity.
I would also add that Mermin has "kneaded" the theory of relativity very well. The results of this kneading are impressive. He managed to reformulate, in a form suitable for high school in terms of mathematics, yet extremely concise and fully understandable, propositions that usually appear in books cloaked in elaborate mathematical form, but are essentially incomprehensible.
From the preface by Professor Harry Apostolatos (Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) for David Mermin's book "It's a Matter of Time". Translation: Chrysanthe Karkanias. Editing: Stella Tsikrika. Typesetting - Graphic Design: Giorgos Chatzivandisidis.
