Albert Einstein: And the Frontiers of Physics (Oxford Portraits in Science) - Hardcover

Bernstein, Jeremy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195092759 ISBN 13: 9780195092752

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Albert Einstein did not impress his first teachers. They found him a dreamy child without an especially promising future. But some time in his early years he developed what he called "wonder" about the world. Later in life, he remembered two instances from his childhood--his fascination at age five with a compass and his introduction to the lucidity and certainty of geometry--that may have been the first signs of what was to come. From these ordinary beginnings, Einstein became one of the greatest scientific thinkers of all time. This illuminating biography describes in understandable language the experiments and revolutionary theories that flowed from Einstein's imagination and intellect--from his theory of relativity, which changed our conception of the universe and our place in it, to his search for a unified field theory that would explain all of the forces in the universe.

About this title

About the Author

Jeremy Bernstein is at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Reviews

Grade 8 Up-Bernstein devotes considerable space in this objective biography to explanations of relativity, quantum mechanics, gravitation, and the relevant mathematical formulas, and to the various scientists whose theories influenced Einstein in some way. The author assumes a conversational tone, often including the first person, "I," as well as "we" and "you" when he refers to readers. In spite of its friendly attitude, though, the book is long and heady and will challenge even the brightest students, not because it is stylistically difficult, but because of the depth and breadth of the explanations. It is amply illustrated with informative diagrams and excellent-quality black-and-white photos. The author makes good use of primary-source material to illustrate both the private Einstein and the more public one who protested World War I, warned of the dangers of nuclear weapons, and, later, reluctantly accepted the need to use force against Hitler. The length, writing style, and illustrations in Jake Goldberg's Albert Einstein (Watts, 1996) make it a better choice for secondary-school students, while Bernstein's book offers a comprehensive, highly intelligent, patiently constructed introduction to Einstein and his theories.
Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195092759
• ISBN 13: 9780195092752
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192