Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson Paperback Book

Details

Rent Einstein: His Life and Universe

Author: Walter Isaacson

Narrator: Edward Herrmann

Format: Unabridged-CD, Paperback

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Published: Apr 2007

Genre: Biography & Autobiography - Historical

Retail Price: $49.95

Discs: 18

Synopsis

By the author of the acclaimed bestseller Benjamin Franklin, this is the first full biography of Albert Einstein since all of his papers have become available.

How did his mind work? What made him a genius? Isaacson's biography shows how the imagination that distinguished his science sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. His fascinating story, a testament to the connection between creativity and freedom, reflects the triumphs and tumults of the modern era.

Based on the newly-released papers and personal letters, this book explores how an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk - a struggling father in a difficult marriage who couldn't get a teaching job or a doctorate - became the mindreader of the creator of the cosmos, the locksmith of the mysteries of the atom and the universe. His success came from questioning conventional wisdom and marveling at mysteries that struck others as mundane. This led him to embrace a morality and politics based on respect for free minds, free spirits, and free individuals. These traits are just as vital for this new century of globalization, in which our success will depend on our creativity, as they were for the beginning of the last century, when Einstein helped usher in the modern age.

View descriptions at Amazon.com

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Reviews

BookLender review by Peter on 2008-01-04 20:44:18

If you are interested in Einstein's life and relationships there is some interesting information. However, when Isaacson got into Einstein's theories, not only did my eyes glaze over, but I was reminded of that physics class in college that I dropped after 3 sessions.

BookLender review by Jo-Ann on 2011-04-06 18:15:37

My husband and I felt we knew quite a lot about Einstein until we began listening to this book. He was a person who had quirks, personality characteristics, moral standards, personal failures, etc., who, in the end, was a wonderful man, worth the respect and admiration the world has afforded him. The book and reading were first class, all the way.

BookLender review by Debra on 2010-07-07 11:15:59

I appreciate the depth to which the author describes how Einstein's mind works and his science, but to this science layman it was too much. Fascinating to hear of his social life, his friendships and family but the science part took my brain into sleepwalking. Still, I am amazed at this fascinating man and how deep and advanced physics were before the airplane was even invented.