From the reviews of the fourth edition:

„An unusually clear introduction to the theory of time. It covers philosophy as well as physics, and is most up-to-date, with a thorough discussion of the consistent histories approach. The author covers all areas of physics, beginning with classical physics, relativity, thermodynamics and moving through quantum physics and ending with quantum cosmology. [...] the book is highly recommended.“ (Mathematical Reviews 2003a)

„This book is a thorough survey of what is known about irreversibility in physics. It investigates this topic in such fields as radiation, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, gravitation and quantum cosmology. … This book is certainly a concise, technically sophisticated and up-to-date discussion on the subject in various physical fields. It is also complete. … I can recommend this book for physicists interested in the subject … .“ (Cl. Semay, Physicalia, Vol. 38 (2), 2002)

„This fourth edition of Zeh’s ‘The physical basis of the direction of time’ represents an almost new book. … 12 years after the first edition, the author not only incorporated further new results but totally rewrote several chapters. … Therefore, libraries should keep the older editions and incorporate this new edition.“ (Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 976, 2002)