Einstein: His Life and Universe

Isn't it amazing what a person can accomplish with quiet little "thought experiments" while looking out the window from a job that does not absorb all of the intellect and imagination? Isn't it also interesting that Einstein's best work was accomplished early in his career when he was struggling economically and involved in a tumultuous marriage? Perhaps it shows that a great intellect can function by detaching itself from the noise of daily life. Perhaps the subconscious mind is the source of the greatest thoughts.

Contrary our unfortunate tendency to consider Einstein only for his brain, Isaacson's book focuses on the humanity of the Professor, including his struggles, failures, odd quirks and ideas, and endless curiosity. In an age of mindless entertainment, how much we need people with minds that are vitally interested in peeling away the next layer of mystery enveloping the universe! If Einstein had one passion, it was just to understand how the entire mechanism of creation works from the sub-atomic to the inter-galactic. If Einstein had one unique talent, it was his irreverence for conventional thinking and a special ability to see and visualize from an entirely new viewpoint. His unconventionality ultimately made him successful AND endearing.

Isaacson's biography is well-worth reading and then sharing with a friend who also has a spark of curiosity about the man and his place in scientific and popular history. Einstein was a man of peace who loved sailing and music, yet in many chapters of his life peace eluded him due to events beyond his control. The reader can sympathize with Einstein when his last great quest for a unified field theory continued to elude him (despite newspaper headlines that he was on the verge of a breakthrough) and his health failed him while equations continued to flow from his pen. I hope his life story will encourage a new generation of thinkers to follow imaginations and never lose their curiosity. Debra Lawrence, Author of THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams

I enjoyed this immensely, but found myself wishing that I had gotten the unabridged version. The narrative would cut off before fully covering the topic at hand, and sometimes I would find myself deep into a subject that needed more introduction. I am sure the full version would have avoided these issues. Otherwise, it was an intriguing story -- so much so that I ordered the printed version to allow me to get the whole story.

If anyone out there is similar to me in trying to find ways to utilize the time spent commuting back and forth to work the 18 CD audio version of Einstein is just the ticket. I am neither an Einstein expert or neophyte but was in fact just interested in expanding on my core knowledge and world/american history. I can fervently admit I have achieved both having just completed the final CD. You will no doubt find a number of reviews contained herein debating the pros and cons of this body of work by Isaacson. This collection of CD's is a no-brainer. Wonderful information intelligently read aloud by Edward Herrmann covering the entire life of one of the world's most enlightened thinkers. Don't hesitate to purchase it - it is worth every dollar.

Enough time has passed that a popular book was perhaps needed to turn the icon back into the man. It is a challenge to say something new about Einstein the man, and perhaps it is enough for Isaacson to shine the light of inquiry at a few new angles. Purists will appreciate the copious footnoting, but most readers will just enjoy letting the author present the material in an orderly, clear, and engaging manner. It is not possible to read the book (and enjoy the old photos) without feeling that you have made at least a good acquaintance with Prof. Einstein.

In my distant youth, I was led to believe that only a few elite scientists actually understood Einstein's major theoretical breakthroughs, but this author is able to explain them well enough to the layman reader that he or she won't feel entirely left out. The book may inspire a few to pick up the quest for a unified field theory, but for most of us the effect will be simply a greater understanding and appreciation of the individual, his times, and his many important impacts on our world. It is particularly interesting to watch the essentially pacifist scientists with a "world citizen" viewpoint confront the irrefutable evil of the persecution and murder of Jew and others. Ultimately, however, Einstein proves that nobody is a genius at everything (including affairs of the heart), and he never seems to realize the implicit danger in one-world government.

I see this book as having great value to anyone with deep roots in the 20th century, but even more value to young people (high school or older) who need to understand Einstein's life and times as context for today's world.

I read about 1/2 of the book, getting to the time of his life where he generated his historic theories about relativity. It was generally interesting, but I moved on to other books instead of finishing.