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Einstein  By  cover art

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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Featured Article: The Best Biography Audiobooks to Educate, Fascinate, and Inspire


The best biographies are ranked not only by the scale and skill of their writing, but also by the strength of their subjects. In the audiobook world, these selections are also judged for the quality of their narrative performances, making those that rise to the top all the more excellent. From lighthearted entertainment to inspirational origin stories, these titles represent the best biography audiobooks now ready for your listening pleasure.

What listeners say about Einstein

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  • KT
  • 08-18-15

Brilliant

Great narration and story. Really enjoyed this long but captivating book. Some say it's technical... It's not.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting Book on a Great Man

The author writes a thoroughly interesting book on a fascinating man. The writing style is engaging and interesting. The only problem areas are when he tries to explain some of the more technical aspects of Einstein's work. This is a bit hard to follow in the audio. All in all, a book well worth getting.

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Complete

Everything you want to know of the great Einstein. Very well done, engaging and complete. I got a little when the author tried to explain the complex scientific work, but I blame myself for that, not the book itself

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Awesome

My father suggested this book to me. I honestly thought I knew enough about Einstein, but wow. I was wrong. I learned so much and really enjoyed how much it shed light on his complex character.

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Albert Einstein-His life and Physics

This is one of the best book I have ever listened. It gives very comprehensive history of Modren Physics along side with all events in detail. I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

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Excellent listen !

Definitely recommend it ! I feel like I really got to know Einstein. It was both interesting and at the same very detailed which is a difficult balance.

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"I will a little think"

Truly inspirational story. Great hearing for anyone who wants to know him a little better. Albert was good man.

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The Beauty of the Soul in Einstein's Simplicity

I am not a scientist and lack the scientific vocabulary. it was the heart of Einstein that I was able to grasp and revere . i listened to every word with a sense of awe .

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Read, Watch, Listen

After watching the first season of Genius on Nat Geo, I was drawn to read the book on Albert Einstein. Walter Isaacson did an remarkable job at capturing Einstein's life in the biography. The late Edward Hermann should had gotten an Audie award for his performance in this audiobook. I was also impress with the television show from the actor Geoffrey Rush on he portray Einstein on tv. The two formats are equally as good. One should watch the miniseries first and than read the book and vice versa. Or do what I did, read, watch, and listen to "Einstein" all at the same time.

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Very entertaining detailed and broad book

It kept going and going, and I never lost my interest. It is about Einstein's science, person and life.

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