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Book Synopsis"The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility ...The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle." --Albert Einstein, 1936 Albert Einstein's universal appeal is only partially explained by his brilliant work in physics, as Andrew Robinson demonstrates in this authoritative, accessible, and richly illustrated biography. The main narra
Trade Review"A peerless introduction to the man, his life, and his scientific theories... [T]his is by far the best book about Einstein that I have ever come across."--Patrick Moore, BBC Sky at Night magazine "Most appealing... [C]ontains material on all aspects of Einstein's scientific work and private life ... It is filled with a myriad of familiar and not-so-familiar images."--Physics World "Einstein's life was full of paradoxes, and this lovely coffee table book, with essays by Stephen Hawking, Philip Anderson, Steven Weinberg and others, reveals them all."--New Scientist "A thoroughly grounded biography of Einstein. This book appeals to anyone interested in the universe, science or physics. This is one of the best books on Einstein to be found."--School Librarian "Andrew Robinson's main biographical narrative is enhanced by 12 essays by eminent scientists, scholars and artists that put Einstein's life and work in perspective."--Bill Condie, Cosmos Magazine "The commentaries are excellent, extremely helpful, and a very welcome addition to the literature on Einstein's theories of relativity... With its plentiful photographs and iconic, whimsical images, Robinson's work has great aesthetic appeal. The book offers a general introduction to Einstein in which his scientific achievements and his vivid personality are clearly conveyed... A fitting tribute to the man and his work, on the 100th anniversary of Einstein's general theory of relativity."--Metascience
Table of ContentsAuthor's Note 8 Preface by Freeman Dyson 10 Part One: The Physicist 1 The World of Physics Before Einstein 14 Autobiographical Notes by Albert Einstein 26 2 The Making of a Physicist 32 A Brief History of Relativity by Stephen Hawking 42 3 The Miraculous Year, 1905 52 4 General Relativity 66 Varying e: Vodka Without Alcohol? by Joao Magueijo 78 5 Arguing About Quantum Theory 82 6 The Search for a Theory of Everything 95 Einstein's Search for Unification by Steven Weinberg 102 7 Physics Since Einstein 109 Einstein's Scientific Legacy by Philip Anderson 122 Part Two: The Man 8 The Most Famous Man in the World 130 9 Personal and Family Life 140 Einstein's Love Letters by Robert Schulmann 150 Einstein and Music by Philip Glass 153 10 Germany, War and Pacifism 156 11 America 166 12 Zionism, the Holocaust and Israel 176 Einstein on Religion, Judaism and Zionism by Max Jammer 185 13 Nuclear Saint and Demon 191 Einstein's Quest for Global Peace by Joseph Rotblat 202 14 The End of an Era 207 Einstein's Last Interview by I. Bernard Cohen 212 15 Einstein's Enduring Magi 226 Einstein: Twentieth-Century Icon by Arthur C. Clarke 235 Afterword: Einstein's Nachlass by Diana Kormos Buchwald 240 Chronology of Einstein's Life 245 Sources of Quotations 246 Bibliography 250 Contributors 251 Index 252 Credits 256
