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peebee's review against another edition
4.0
Always nice to find yourself in full agreement with the man who's become a byword for smart. Mostly about economics, politics, and religion, but if you're the kind of snapperhead who thinks someone who's good at math has nothing to say on those topics, go fuck yourself.
Also nice that a homeless guy got interested in the book just as I finished, and seemed genuinely enthused to have it. Payin' it forward, HJO style.
Also nice that a homeless guy got interested in the book just as I finished, and seemed genuinely enthused to have it. Payin' it forward, HJO style.
athousandgreatbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Rating - 3.5
Worth a read.
Composed of letters, speeches, short essays, and media correspondences, this collection provides for sufficient intrigue and insight into Einstein's worldview. Once you get over his writing style, which can be convoluted and Victorian at times, and focus more on the general sentiment of his writings, it is easy to see the ideals that he stood by.
Not particularly religious, Einstein nevertheless attributes the true inspiration for an honest scientific endeavor to a sense of religiousness, something like cosmic religiousness or a religiousness of science.
He devoutly speaks against the currents and the trends of the times that he finds himself in, against the decline in international cooperation in the domain of science and arts, and a rise in narrow-minded nationalism, calling instead for a resurgence in mutual cooperation, and educating students in the universality of humanity.
As an active pacifist and a Zionist, Einstein's call to the Jewish people makes up his most ardent views, to re-establish a Jewish national homeland, but not one that has borders, an army, and all the rest, which is in keeping with his general views on nationalism, but somewhere the Jews can truly belong.
The collection would've been a little better if all the letters and essays, etc. were dated. Only a few are in this one.
Worth a read.
Composed of letters, speeches, short essays, and media correspondences, this collection provides for sufficient intrigue and insight into Einstein's worldview. Once you get over his writing style, which can be convoluted and Victorian at times, and focus more on the general sentiment of his writings, it is easy to see the ideals that he stood by.
Not particularly religious, Einstein nevertheless attributes the true inspiration for an honest scientific endeavor to a sense of religiousness, something like cosmic religiousness or a religiousness of science.
He devoutly speaks against the currents and the trends of the times that he finds himself in, against the decline in international cooperation in the domain of science and arts, and a rise in narrow-minded nationalism, calling instead for a resurgence in mutual cooperation, and educating students in the universality of humanity.
As an active pacifist and a Zionist, Einstein's call to the Jewish people makes up his most ardent views, to re-establish a Jewish national homeland, but not one that has borders, an army, and all the rest, which is in keeping with his general views on nationalism, but somewhere the Jews can truly belong.
The collection would've been a little better if all the letters and essays, etc. were dated. Only a few are in this one.
sharonsueg's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio for this book. This compilation of addresses, letters, and occasional writings by Einstein is very interesting if you are fascinated with political and social issues. It is not surprising that although most discussions were dated in the 1930s, the issues are still ones we are continually debating.
nikkiswiftielibrary's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I would like to specify that the contents of this book, the opinions in it, were written in betwee the 1920-1930s. The views on zionism, which vary from the nacionalist movement, were later criticised by Einstein himself on his 1948 open letter to the New York Times and following essays.
Einstein's words are not to be misinterpreted. His writing is clear and leaves no room for misinterpretation.
Einstein's words are not to be misinterpreted. His writing is clear and leaves no room for misinterpretation.
pkpoppies's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Incredibly insightful & inspiring. Unsure of how and why the editors chose to mosh certain things together the way they did but as a whole I’m very pleasantly surprised by the array of topics Einstein was educated in beyond his obvious scientific recognition. Quite a bit resonated with me and the rest was interesting to read regardless.
Incredibly insightful & inspiring. Unsure of how and why the editors chose to mosh certain things together the way they did but as a whole I’m very pleasantly surprised by the array of topics Einstein was educated in beyond his obvious scientific recognition. Quite a bit resonated with me and the rest was interesting to read regardless.
uditnair24's review against another edition
3.0
We all have heard a lot about the scientific prowess of Albert Einstein. Added to that was a man who used to express his opinions on various world affairs openly. This book kind of collates all the letters which contains the opinions of Einstein. The views range from being a jew, how dictators are ruining the mankind, global peace efforts, palestine and arab issue, the conditions of germany and various others.
One of the important letter was where einstein clearly states his religious convictions. A lot of people have distorted his statements and have said that einstein was a religious man. Nothing can be further from the truth. If one reads carefully what he alludes is to the larger cosmic sense rather than petty religions and belief systems. Any curious creature would be in awe of the mechanisms of the universe and this is what fascinated einstein and not some idol sitting above deciding the morality of our actions.
One of the important letter was where einstein clearly states his religious convictions. A lot of people have distorted his statements and have said that einstein was a religious man. Nothing can be further from the truth. If one reads carefully what he alludes is to the larger cosmic sense rather than petty religions and belief systems. Any curious creature would be in awe of the mechanisms of the universe and this is what fascinated einstein and not some idol sitting above deciding the morality of our actions.
pachypedia's review against another edition
3.0
Tenemos aquí unha colección de textos en los que Einstein da su visión sobre temas diversos, centrados sobre todo en política, religión y ciencia. Sirve para conocer al hombre que existía detrás de esa imagen de científico que tenemos hoy en día.
matthewwester's review against another edition
1.0
In the preface, J.H. writes that the purpose of this book is to give "a picture of a man [Einstein]" as opposed to the distorted view we might get from the media or the passing of time. Fine. Except there was nothing in this book that gave me a deeper sense of the man Einstein. Instead, I read 100 pages of formal statements to formal organizations. Very dry, with very little insight into Einstein's true, non-posturing self.
The 'Introduction to Abridged Edition' further emphasized what kind of book this would be: Readers were not going to see Einstein the scientist. That material had been withdrawn. Instead, this would be a selection of his public statements, organized to convince the reader of one thing: that Einstein was a pacifist and believed in the rights of the individual. If you're looking for a paper trail to prove that Einstein publicly made statements about peace, then this is the book for you.
Perhaps these formal statements would have carried more weight if they were interspersed with personal letters or diary entries? Readers would then have had a sense of intimacy with the author. As is, Einstein equivocates and almost begs you to undervalue his opinions.
I'll give you an example. On page 69 Einstein is writing about the world economic crisis and says, "What I have to say is nothing new and does not pretend to be anything more than the opinion of an independent and honest man who, unburdened by class or national prejudices, desires nothing but the good of humanity and the most harmonious possible scheme of human existence."
Aw shucks, don't mind him, he's just a simple guy with one man's humble opinion. Hmm. So why should his opinion be more persuasive or valuable than any other person's? Why should we care? I give this book one star because it never gave me reason to care.
The 'Introduction to Abridged Edition' further emphasized what kind of book this would be: Readers were not going to see Einstein the scientist. That material had been withdrawn. Instead, this would be a selection of his public statements, organized to convince the reader of one thing: that Einstein was a pacifist and believed in the rights of the individual. If you're looking for a paper trail to prove that Einstein publicly made statements about peace, then this is the book for you.
Perhaps these formal statements would have carried more weight if they were interspersed with personal letters or diary entries? Readers would then have had a sense of intimacy with the author. As is, Einstein equivocates and almost begs you to undervalue his opinions.
I'll give you an example. On page 69 Einstein is writing about the world economic crisis and says, "What I have to say is nothing new and does not pretend to be anything more than the opinion of an independent and honest man who, unburdened by class or national prejudices, desires nothing but the good of humanity and the most harmonious possible scheme of human existence."
Aw shucks, don't mind him, he's just a simple guy with one man's humble opinion. Hmm. So why should his opinion be more persuasive or valuable than any other person's? Why should we care? I give this book one star because it never gave me reason to care.
kropotkin's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0