Einstein

His Life and Universe

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 21 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2008 Audie Award for Biography/Memoir

How did Einstein's mind work? What made him a genius? Isaacson's biography shows how his scientific imagination sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. His fascinating story is a testament to the connection between creativity and freedom.

Based on the newly released personal letters of Albert Einstein, Walter Isaacson explores how an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk, a struggling father in a difficult marriage who couldn't get a teaching job or a doctorate, became the mind reader of the creator of the cosmos, the locksmith of the mysteries of the atom and the universe. His success came from questioning conventional wisdom and marveling at mysteries that struck others as mundane. This led him to embrace a morality and politics based on respect for free minds, free spirits, and free individuals.

These traits are just as vital for this new century of globalization, in which our success will depend on our creativity, as they were for the beginning of the last century, when Einstein helped usher in the modern age.

It's all relative: listen to more about Albert Einstein.

©2007 Walter Isaacson. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Biography/Memoir, 2008

"[A] lucid account." (Publishers Weekly)
"Isaacson has admirably succeeded in weaving together the complex threads of Einstein's personal and scientific life to paint a superb portrait." (Arthur I. Miller, author of Einstein, Picasso)
"Isaacson has written a crisp, engaging, and refreshing biography, one that beautifully masters the historical literature and offers many new insights into Einstein's work and life." (Diana Kormos Buchwald, General Editor of the Collected Papers of Albert Einstein)

The incredible story of the world's leading mind

After having watched the miniseries Genius: Einstein on the National Geographic channel I found myself compelled to know more about the physicist who changed the way we look at the universe. Although he is basically known for the equation E equals mc squared, the theory of relativity and the atomic bomb, he excelled in so many other areas. His contributions during decades to fighting injustice and oppression in the face of complete adversity (Nazism just to name one of them) is a testament to his greatness. He definitely lived a life worth living.

The author, Walter Isaacson, wrote a very engaging biography of an enlightened and complex man (although Einstein always praised simplicity) and the narrator Edward Hermann did a wonderful job in captivating and maintaining my attention over the many hours. In the end I felt a little disappointed that the audiobook eventually had to come to an end.

Personal and detailed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is both a story of a man and a story of science. This book paints Einstein as a very real person with faults and successes. I knew about the plight of Jews in pre-war Germany, but I had no idea that it was so pervasive in the highest scientific circles. At times I wanted to cheer, at times I wanted to cry and at times I shout out in protest. Excellent writing, details and performance.

Overall, a good listen.

The narrator did a great job and it was easy and fun to listen to. Learned a great deal about the great mind and life of Einstein. Recommend to anyone interested in his life.

Unbelievable. Just fantastic.

I learned everything I could ever have wondered about Albert Einstein's life, science, and politics, and was able to understand his cosmic concepts due to simple imagery and patient explanation. As a bonus, I learned much more about early Europe, Russia, politics, pitfalls, and US history than I ever expected. This book was absolutely engaging. I did not want it to end. The lessons in tolerance and humility are for us all. This story is timeless.

Great book if a little long

Would you consider the audio edition of Einstein to be better than the print version?

Yes, there's no way I could have made it through reading the book. It was perfect for my morning commute.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Einstein?

I had no idea he was such a ladies man. I was also pretty shocked by the story of his first child and his reaction to that child.

Good overview with lots of details

I zoned out through some of the science talk, but believe I understood a lot of it. There was enough life drama mixed with the science to keep me interested to the end. The narrator has a great voice and Einstein had an interesting life.

Einstein. the human being.

Bio presents a clear understanding of Einstein's intellectual brilliance as both scientist and humanist. Portrayal of Einstein's successes and failures provide an invaluable lesson to the power of imagination and humility.

Besr science history book

Where does Einstein rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very top

What other book might you compare Einstein to and why?

The book combines the personal biography with a clear exposition of his scientific contributions. It stands in sharp contrast with Galileo biography by James Reston, Jr., in which the science is almost a side line.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The explanation of relativity theory in a non-mathematical manner, and Einstein contribution to underanding the reality of atoms and molecules.

Any additional comments?

A model of what scientific biography should be

Inspiring

An inspiring book about a great person. Read beautifully. Unabridged is long but certainly worth it.

GENIUS

Excellent in all respects. Recommend for anyone with an interest science in science, math or genius.