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A review by culkin
The World As I See It by Albert Einstein
3.0
3 stars because the selection is questionable, and little context is felt. It is an old book and no doubt there are better selections available now - particularly as in 2014 a large previously unseen collection of his papers were released free online. Go read the 4-page title-essay "The World as I See It".
Saying that, these essays are a delightful window into the mind of a peaceful, simple, kind, and smart man. It's a part of Einstein you might hear about - but here we have it actually laid out by the man himself, in very short (1-3 page), easily digested essays.
It's a four part book - and the first is easily the best. I would happily skip many of the essays in the other two sections as they repeat too much. I recommend skipping an essay when it feels like it's repeating - particular concerning disarmament and Zionism.
The best essay is probably the title one, found on the first page, in which can be found his defining quote: "I am strongly drawn to the simple life and am often oppressed by the feeling that I am engrossing an unnecessary amount of labour of my fellow-men. I also consider that plain living is good for everybody, physically, and mentally."
Other nice quotes:
"Previous generations have presented us, in a highly developed science and mechanical knowledge, with a most valuable gift which carries with it possibilities of making our life free and beautiful such as no previous generation has enjoyed."
"Any social organism can become psychically distempered just as any individual can, especially in times of difficulty"
Saying that, these essays are a delightful window into the mind of a peaceful, simple, kind, and smart man. It's a part of Einstein you might hear about - but here we have it actually laid out by the man himself, in very short (1-3 page), easily digested essays.
It's a four part book - and the first is easily the best. I would happily skip many of the essays in the other two sections as they repeat too much. I recommend skipping an essay when it feels like it's repeating - particular concerning disarmament and Zionism.
The best essay is probably the title one, found on the first page, in which can be found his defining quote: "I am strongly drawn to the simple life and am often oppressed by the feeling that I am engrossing an unnecessary amount of labour of my fellow-men. I also consider that plain living is good for everybody, physically, and mentally."
Other nice quotes:
"Previous generations have presented us, in a highly developed science and mechanical knowledge, with a most valuable gift which carries with it possibilities of making our life free and beautiful such as no previous generation has enjoyed."
"Any social organism can become psychically distempered just as any individual can, especially in times of difficulty"