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mchester24's review against another edition
5.0
Isaacson's much heralded biography on Albert Eistein is a very long read, but that's because he covers in great detail each stage of the Eistein's life in a very thorough and satisfying way.
I was eager to find a comprehensive look into Eistein's life after reading about how the theory of relativity and other of Eistein's work contributed to 20th century science fiction, as well as having gone to high school in the town where Eistein lived out the last decades of his life. I'm very happy this book ended up being the consensus one to read.
Not only did all of Eistein's scientific theories (as well as the process of developing them) get highlighed in a detailed, but accessible, way-- but the other aspects of the man's life that made him so interesting were also closely examined, from his sometimes troubled personal and family life to his becoming one of the first 'modern day' celebrities to his political and philosophical efforts that came more in the forefront in his later years.
It is fascinating to see how Eistein broke through a scientific glass ceiling by being unafraid to question the unquestionable truths of Newton, attributing his great successes simply to his nonconformist character and unquenchable curiosity, and then later became the stubborn holder of 'unquestionable truths' in defending against quantum mechanics with his frequent declaration that "God would not play dice."
In his personal life, he struggled to stay close to either of his wives and any of his children, often as a side effect of dedicating all of his focus on his studies. There are definitely some aspects of his life-- from infidelity to acrimonious divorces to coldness to his own children-- that make you question his character. The more I learn and read about some of the greats in various fields, though, it seems that this sort of split between reaching ones professional pantheon and having troubled personal relationships seems all too common, sadly.
Outside of his family, however, one aspect of his relationships I did enjoy reading about were in seeing how closely he worked and formed friendships with other famous names I recognized but didn't know were his contemporaries-- in the sciences including Heisenberg, Bohr, and Schrodinger, as well as from his celebrity status in Charlie Chaplin and others.
The aspect of Einstein's life that I take the most away from this book, however, were his political/philosophical/religious viewpoints. Reading letters from him to people throughout the years, you really can see him become a man without any real home nation. At various points, he lived in Germany, Switzerland, America, and other places-- but he often considered himself a citizen of the world above all else. He did learn to feel the most kinship with his Jewish heritage and countrymen (though not religious), but his view of 'belonging' to no single country obviously informed his political pursuits for world peace, for an international government and military body, and for the human and civil rights for all. Einstein can perhaps be considered the most prominent 'globalist' of the 20th century, and many of his arguments could be compelling in today's world. For as much that was made about Einstein's famed FBI dossier and suspicious that he was a Soviet/Communist sympathizer, Einstein would later note what was fundamental to America "it can be swept by waves of what may seem, to outsiders, to be dangerous political passions but are, instead, passing sentiments absorbed by its democracy and righted by its constitutional gyroscope." In a letter to his son after McCarthyism had died down, Einstein noted "somehow they manage to return to normality. Everything-- even lunacy-- is mass produced here. But everything goes out of fashion very quickly." Hearing that being observed about the 1950s is pretty eye-opening, and one can only hope Einstein would see the same thing happen were he around to watch the calamity occurring all the time in modern day America.
In terms of his religion, I found it interesting that many Atheists in his time would write to him eager that the most famous and intelligent scholar live would agree with them that there is no God and Einstein would eagerly shut them down. While Einstein was adamant that there was no God with a stake in our lives who was affecting actions in front of us based on what we do/say/pray, he saw the science and his various discoveries as proof of a 'God' of types, and he said when he stared at the universe and saw the beautiful, elegant rules governing it he can only help but feel deeply religious. That to him is religion, going further to say that "science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." With regard to his belief that free will does not actually exist, Einstein quoted Schopenhauer in saying "A man can do as he wills, but not will as he wills."
One last thing to note, though, is Einstein's ability and willingness to change viewpoints when the facts change. He came around to support the Zionist movement after initially balking at its necessity, he changed from being as pure a pacifist as you could be to recognizing the impracticality of complete disarmament in light of an increasingly threatening Nazi regime, and he seemed willing to do this time and time again in his scientific studies. I think it's an important lesson that the smartest among us are the ones who are able to admit they were wrong or that the situation has changed and they should now adopt a seemingly contradictory opinion. In a political climate where 'flip flopping' and not sticking to one's guns is portrayed as dirty, Einstein is a great example of how debate should be conducted and how we all should really listen to and engage the 'opposition.' When charged with inconsistency in his beliefs, he stated that "for a scientist, altering your doctrines when the facts change is not a view of weakness."
I was eager to find a comprehensive look into Eistein's life after reading about how the theory of relativity and other of Eistein's work contributed to 20th century science fiction, as well as having gone to high school in the town where Eistein lived out the last decades of his life. I'm very happy this book ended up being the consensus one to read.
Not only did all of Eistein's scientific theories (as well as the process of developing them) get highlighed in a detailed, but accessible, way-- but the other aspects of the man's life that made him so interesting were also closely examined, from his sometimes troubled personal and family life to his becoming one of the first 'modern day' celebrities to his political and philosophical efforts that came more in the forefront in his later years.
It is fascinating to see how Eistein broke through a scientific glass ceiling by being unafraid to question the unquestionable truths of Newton, attributing his great successes simply to his nonconformist character and unquenchable curiosity, and then later became the stubborn holder of 'unquestionable truths' in defending against quantum mechanics with his frequent declaration that "God would not play dice."
In his personal life, he struggled to stay close to either of his wives and any of his children, often as a side effect of dedicating all of his focus on his studies. There are definitely some aspects of his life-- from infidelity to acrimonious divorces to coldness to his own children-- that make you question his character. The more I learn and read about some of the greats in various fields, though, it seems that this sort of split between reaching ones professional pantheon and having troubled personal relationships seems all too common, sadly.
Outside of his family, however, one aspect of his relationships I did enjoy reading about were in seeing how closely he worked and formed friendships with other famous names I recognized but didn't know were his contemporaries-- in the sciences including Heisenberg, Bohr, and Schrodinger, as well as from his celebrity status in Charlie Chaplin and others.
The aspect of Einstein's life that I take the most away from this book, however, were his political/philosophical/religious viewpoints. Reading letters from him to people throughout the years, you really can see him become a man without any real home nation. At various points, he lived in Germany, Switzerland, America, and other places-- but he often considered himself a citizen of the world above all else. He did learn to feel the most kinship with his Jewish heritage and countrymen (though not religious), but his view of 'belonging' to no single country obviously informed his political pursuits for world peace, for an international government and military body, and for the human and civil rights for all. Einstein can perhaps be considered the most prominent 'globalist' of the 20th century, and many of his arguments could be compelling in today's world. For as much that was made about Einstein's famed FBI dossier and suspicious that he was a Soviet/Communist sympathizer, Einstein would later note what was fundamental to America "it can be swept by waves of what may seem, to outsiders, to be dangerous political passions but are, instead, passing sentiments absorbed by its democracy and righted by its constitutional gyroscope." In a letter to his son after McCarthyism had died down, Einstein noted "somehow they manage to return to normality. Everything-- even lunacy-- is mass produced here. But everything goes out of fashion very quickly." Hearing that being observed about the 1950s is pretty eye-opening, and one can only hope Einstein would see the same thing happen were he around to watch the calamity occurring all the time in modern day America.
In terms of his religion, I found it interesting that many Atheists in his time would write to him eager that the most famous and intelligent scholar live would agree with them that there is no God and Einstein would eagerly shut them down. While Einstein was adamant that there was no God with a stake in our lives who was affecting actions in front of us based on what we do/say/pray, he saw the science and his various discoveries as proof of a 'God' of types, and he said when he stared at the universe and saw the beautiful, elegant rules governing it he can only help but feel deeply religious. That to him is religion, going further to say that "science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." With regard to his belief that free will does not actually exist, Einstein quoted Schopenhauer in saying "A man can do as he wills, but not will as he wills."
One last thing to note, though, is Einstein's ability and willingness to change viewpoints when the facts change. He came around to support the Zionist movement after initially balking at its necessity, he changed from being as pure a pacifist as you could be to recognizing the impracticality of complete disarmament in light of an increasingly threatening Nazi regime, and he seemed willing to do this time and time again in his scientific studies. I think it's an important lesson that the smartest among us are the ones who are able to admit they were wrong or that the situation has changed and they should now adopt a seemingly contradictory opinion. In a political climate where 'flip flopping' and not sticking to one's guns is portrayed as dirty, Einstein is a great example of how debate should be conducted and how we all should really listen to and engage the 'opposition.' When charged with inconsistency in his beliefs, he stated that "for a scientist, altering your doctrines when the facts change is not a view of weakness."
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not altogether sure about this books. Despite the fact that I wanted to like Einstein and I've a Chemistry degree, I found the book a hard read. I'm not altogether sure what most non-scientists would think about the science involved, and nearly everyone will think he was a nightmare to his first wife and kids, by the end of this book.
If you can cope with the sensation that your ideals about a hero have been shattered, read this book. If you can't don't.
If you can cope with the sensation that your ideals about a hero have been shattered, read this book. If you can't don't.
ampere_exe's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! His life is discussed in major detail. The events flow nicely and his personality and achievements show itself clearly to the reader.
It has a great balance between scientific and personal affairs and even includes descriptions of his work suitable enough for a layman to understand.
The book is written in a very engaging manner—so much so—that I couldn’t put it down! It felt like a story book!
With all this in mind I would highly recommend everyone to read this!
5/5 stars
It has a great balance between scientific and personal affairs and even includes descriptions of his work suitable enough for a layman to understand.
The book is written in a very engaging manner—so much so—that I couldn’t put it down! It felt like a story book!
With all this in mind I would highly recommend everyone to read this!
5/5 stars
dda9's review against another edition
3.0
Like most Americans, I grew up admiring Einstein even though I didn't know much about him. His smile, wild hare, and famous quips such as, "God does not play dice" made him the most famous and likeable physicist in the world. Most people, I dare say, might be able to name only one other at most!
This book brought me quite a bit of disappointment through no fault of the authors. Once I became more familiar with his life and personality I didn't admire him nearly as much as I thought I would. Einstein seemed to me to be a very selfish career man. His work was by far the most important thing in his life, and it cost him dearly in his family relationships. I also found myself quite puzzled by Einstein's political views, as the author, Walter Isaacson, stresses that personal freedom was the most important factor in Einstein's political activities. This is great, but Einstein was a die-hard socialist, and I have never seen a socialist regime that places the liberty of the individual above the good of the state. This is the definition of socialism in my mind - the "good" of the whole trumps the rights of the individual. It doesn't mesh in my mind. Despite the disappointments and perplexities that came with learning more about one of history's greatest minds, I enjoyed becoming more familiar with this iconic figure.
Isaacson does a good job weaving the story, and although I wasn't riveted, it was always interesting. My one complaint about his style is that his narrative is, as Joe Friday would have said, "Just the facts, ma'am." Even when Einstein did things that I thought were downright despicable, Isaacson told the story just as unemotionally as if he were remarking that the sky is blue and the grass is green.
Overall, a good book.
This book brought me quite a bit of disappointment through no fault of the authors. Once I became more familiar with his life and personality I didn't admire him nearly as much as I thought I would. Einstein seemed to me to be a very selfish career man. His work was by far the most important thing in his life, and it cost him dearly in his family relationships. I also found myself quite puzzled by Einstein's political views, as the author, Walter Isaacson, stresses that personal freedom was the most important factor in Einstein's political activities. This is great, but Einstein was a die-hard socialist, and I have never seen a socialist regime that places the liberty of the individual above the good of the state. This is the definition of socialism in my mind - the "good" of the whole trumps the rights of the individual. It doesn't mesh in my mind. Despite the disappointments and perplexities that came with learning more about one of history's greatest minds, I enjoyed becoming more familiar with this iconic figure.
Isaacson does a good job weaving the story, and although I wasn't riveted, it was always interesting. My one complaint about his style is that his narrative is, as Joe Friday would have said, "Just the facts, ma'am." Even when Einstein did things that I thought were downright despicable, Isaacson told the story just as unemotionally as if he were remarking that the sky is blue and the grass is green.
Overall, a good book.
fbroom's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very long book. 21 hours and 30 minus. It would've been nicer to have it divided into chapters instead of having it as a one big audio file.
Einstein is visual, curious, passionate and rebellious. The book is very detailed and descriptive of his life. I enjoyed some parts more than others.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. – Albert Einstein
Einstein is visual, curious, passionate and rebellious. The book is very detailed and descriptive of his life. I enjoyed some parts more than others.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. – Albert Einstein
nickscoby's review against another edition
3.0
Truthfully, I stopped about midway. The book itself is well written. But I liked Einstein a whole lot less when I learned of the ways that he neglected his first wife and children. It was hard for me to stomach and accept his genius and subsequent accomplishments knowing that he essentially abandoned his family.
ethanong's review against another edition
3.5
Number 7 of Isaacson’s 9 books that I’ve read. His weakest in my opinion, but still better than the majority of biographies out there. I’ve been reading mostly nonfiction lately and I slogged through the last 250ish pages in one sitting so fatigue may have been a factor in enjoyment on this one.
kevin_milne's review against another edition
4.0
The physics are obviously dense; but peeking inside the mind of a special genius is worthwhile for anyone who fancies themselves a free-thinker and student of life.