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Einstein

By: Walter Isaacson
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Editorial reviews

Why we think it's Essential: Isaacson is the modern master of the biography, so it was only natural that he turn his pen to Einstein. And more than any biography of the past, Isaacson's account unravels the life behind the brain and provides a full picture of the man who embodied the scientific spirit of the 20th century. Edward Herrmann is stirring and moves effortlessly from humorous anecdotes to scientific theories. — Chris Doheny

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)

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What listeners say about Einstein

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Amazing

Walter Isaacson is one of my top 5 authors. And this one of his best. The narration was superb and the information gleaned was super. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing and learning about famous people. Y Even if you are not into science, it will amaze you. Einstein was a humanitarian and a funny fellow. Read it please

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very comprehensive and defailed

Goes into great detail, not only about Einstein but about his theories as well. Author repeats himself an awful lot though. Gets annoying. If not for that I would have given a 5.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Stay Curious!

Asking questions, finding answers, realizing there are more questions, this is the key to being passionately curious, learning and potentially doing incredible things.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Amazing Detail

How several women impacted his life and how much people liked him as a person

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent life story

Must read to know how to be a better human being to create a world for freedom of thinking and beyond!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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There is a God

Perhaps Short of proving there is a God, Einstein comes pretty close! When comparing today’s geniuses, such as Elon musk, or Jeff Bezos, Einstein stands clear with his humility and gentleness.

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Rec’d cuz we like Sci-Fi

The physics is way over my head
But then they explain it
And I understand
What an incredible life
What incredible contributions to science & humanity
I love biographies & history
Highly recommend this book

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Personal and Insightful

The book gave a good level of insight into Einstein's personality and personal life. At the same time Einstein's contrios in theoretical physics and his philosophy and politics are also covered as well.
Overall it was an enjoyable listen.

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Well written and well structured

I really like the way book reads! It gave a very comprehensive view of Einstein’s life and universe.

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Amazing life

Amazing life of Einstein, very rich content. Very occasionally a bit too much detail, but fascinating for sure.

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