Albert Einstein: A Biography

(Hardback)

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Description

A comprehensive biography of one of the most revolutionary scientists of all time Albert Einstein remains one of most famous scientists in world history. His image is instantly recognizable and for many people, Einstein personifies genius. But who was Einstein really What was he like as a person What did his science actually mean This new biography of Albert Einstein provides a concise, accessible introduction to the life and science of this revolutionary man. Beneath his genius, Einstein was an ordinary person, with human frailties and weaknesses, but also with charm, modesty, a wry sense of humour, and idiosyncrasies. This biography covers the entire history of this brilliant physicist's life and career, including: His early education, during which he was an excellent student, contrary to common belief; Einstein's struggles to find an academic position, which led him to work as a clerk at the Swiss patent office during the same period he was formulating his most famous and revolutionary theories; His troubled marriages and family life; Einstein's rise to international fame, and his use of that fame to fight for world peace; Einstein's major contributions to physics, explained in an accessible way. The book includes a bibliography, and a timeline of important dates in Einstein's life. Part of the Greenwood Biographies series A portrait of the iconic scientist, on whose work modern physics is built The science is explained in a way that is accessible to the general reader Publication coincides with the 2005 World Year of Physics - the 100th anniversary of "Einstein's Miraculous Year" when he published his most revolutionary papers

Reviews

In this book, written for high school students, the authors present a meticulously detailed account of Einstein's life from his birth in Ulm, Germany, to his death in New Jersey 76 years later.In addition to giving a detailed account of Einstein's life struggles and successes, the authors provide a concise timeline, highlighting important accomplishments, jobs, and family events.An appendix covers the interesting story of Einstein's famous brain. A detailed biography provides resource opportunities for future research. * The Science Teacher *
[N]othing but praise for the fresh look and high-quality research that has gone into making this most agreeable and very readable contribution. * School Science Review *
Calaprice and Lipscombe, a biographer and a physicist, provide students and general readers with a concise, accessible introduction to the life and science of Albert Einstein, emphasizing that underneath his genius, Einstein was a person with human frailties, charm, and a sense of humor. They detail his personal life as well as his education, his struggles to find an academic position, his contributions to physics, and his role as a champion of world peace. * SciTech Book News *
[E]xplanations of the fiendishly difficult general and special theories of relativity in particular are wisely tackled with good earthbound analogies that satisfy the mind. * Astonomy Now *
Many biographies have been written about Einstein; so why the need for yet another Albert Einstein: A Biography focuses on the man as much as his science, considering his human weaknesses, his charm, sense of humor, and life. From his troubled marriages and family life to his rise to international fame and fight for world peace, Albert Einstein offers both depth and a lively presentation to make it hard to put down. * MBR Bookwatch *

Author Bio

ALICE CALAPRICE was senior editor at Princeton University Press for over twenty years, specializing in editing the sciences. She is the author of several books on Einstein. TREVOR LIPSCOMBE is Editor-in-Chief of The Johns Hopkins University Press. He has a doctorate in theoretical physics from Oxford University and has published widely in quantum mechanics and statistical physics.