Einstein: A life in science - Hardcover

WHITE, Michael And GRIBBIN, John.

3.87

208 ratings by Goodreads

9780671711702: Einstein: A life in science

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0671711709 ISBN 13: 9780671711702

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd, 1993

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The figure of Albert Einstein still towers over the 20th century, although his most important work dates from 1905. The one equation most people know is E=MC2, but most of us could not explain what it means. This book elucidates the special and general theories of relativity, as well as electromagnetism, space-time and other theories. It enables readers to appreciate the great physicist's achievements by laying out the context in which he developed his theories and the way that they were received.

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About the Author:

Michael White is a contributor to the SUNDAY TIMES, the OBSERVER and NEW SCIENTIST and has worked as a scriptwriter and BBC TV and radio presenter. John Gribbin writes on science for THE TIMES, the GUARDIAN, the TELEGRAPH and the INDEPENDENT. He is the author of over 50 books and lives in East Sussex.

From Kirkus Reviews:

The same team that brought you Stephen Hawking: A life in Science has decided to defend Albert Einstein against assorted revisionist treatments. Principal among Einstein's critics are those who say Einstein's first wife, Mileva Maric, is not given credit for her contributions to special relativity theory and that, in general, she had a rough time. (Their illegitimate daughter was placed for adoption and subsequently lost to history; Einstein's mother loathed Mileva for her peasant origins, etc.) Since the authors find nothing good to say about her, quoting sources describing her as unattractive, distrustful, and noting that she never did get her degree, they can hardly be credited with unbiased views. On the other hand, they are prepared to say that Einstein himself may have suffered schizophrenia--following a notion of psychiatrist Anthony Storr that seems off the wall. Be that as it may, they do manage to bring off a colorful description of the life for which the adjective peripatetic hardly suffices. Poor Maleva and the later-born sons followed along, making do and making Poppa as comfortable as possible. The chapters interleave the life with popular accounts of the major work, underscoring the papers produced in 1905, the ``annus mirabilus,'' that launched Einstein's reputation. The paper on the photelectric effect earned Einstein the Nobel in 1922--proceeds of which he had agreed years before to give to Maleva after their divorce. In due course, we meet the physicists and astronomers who would later verify the accuracy of general relativity by measuring the bending of starlight near the sun during an eclipse. Following Einstein's rejection of quantum theory in the 1920's, the authors trace the personal eclipse of Einstein's creative career and ascent to the role of elder statesman and charming Princeton eccentric. Certainly some new and interesting details here, and accurate, acessible explanations of theory. But please, Einstein's life needs no apology! -- Copyright �1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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