Einstein: His Life and Universe
Isaacson portrays Einstein as an insolent figure who possessed a strong sense of creativity and independence. Had the physicist succeeded in achieving academic employment as a young man, that spirit could have gotten quashed due to the atmosphere of the times. After going through his studies in physics with "a sassy attitude" at the Zurich Polytechnic, Einstein wound up being the only graduate of his year's class not to be offered a job. The author notes Einstein's subsequent trek throughout Europe in search of work and its failure. Rejected by the Swiss army for his misshapen feet and varicose veins, he finally managed to start a career at the Swiss patent office.
Despite the mediocre posting at the patent office, his independent research into his intellectual passions proved highly influential. Einstein wrote to colleagues, "I will soon have graced every physicist from the North Sea to the southern tip of Italy with my offer." This period marked the development of general relativity, which receives particular emphasis in Isaacson's biographical analysis. The book reflects the nature of personal achievement in terms of the importance of inquisitiveness and the willingness to experiment. The sometimes abrasive nature around his insolent streak cost Einstein much in the short term, though larger society benefited dramatically in the long run.
The Observer published a supportive review by journalist Robin McKie on the book. He remarked that Isaacson "triumphed over expectation[s]" as well as wrote that the "thorough exploration of" Einstein's life constituted both "a skilful piece of scientific literature and a thumping good read." MicKie labelled Einstein's life story as one of the most interesting tales "in modern science" and lauded Isaacson's "first-rate job in telling it." An official Amazon.com review written by Anne Bartholomew also praised the author's approach and details regarding the subject matter.
In his review for Physics Today, writer and professor of physics E. L. Schucking broadly praised Isaacson's coverage while criticizing a vagueness and flippancy in the portrayal of Einstein's actual scientific ideas. In particular, Shucking criticized the author's "shunning of mathematical formulas" as failing to properly give readers the right context. Professor Matthew Stanley's review for Historical Studies in the Natural Sciences expressed a mixed response to the book. Stanley contended that the lack of technical detail hindered the full understanding of the theories presented within the narrative.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Einstein His Life and Universe published by Walter Isaacson?
Walter Isaacson published Einstein: His Life and Universe through Simon & Schuster in 2007. The book serves as a biography of the physicist Albert Einstein.
Who did Walter Isaacson collaborate with to write Einstein His Life and Universe?
The author collaborated with scientists Murray Gell-Mann, Brian Greene, and Lawrence Krauss to gain knowledge about the underlying background. This partnership helped ensure scientific accuracy throughout the text.
What job did Albert Einstein hold before developing general relativity according to the book?
Einstein finally managed to start a career at the Swiss patent office after being rejected by the Swiss army for his misshapen feet and varicose veins. He worked there while conducting independent research that led to major discoveries.
Which publication featured a review of Einstein His Life and Universe by Robin McKie?
The Observer published a supportive review by journalist Robin McKie on the book. He described the work as both a skilful piece of scientific literature and a thumping good read.
Why did E. L. Schucking criticize Walter Isaacson's portrayal of Einstein?
Schucking criticized the author's shunning of mathematical formulas as failing to properly give readers the right context. He argued this approach left the actual scientific ideas vague.