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)

Amazing Story and Well Read

Although extremely long, at over 21 hours, this audio book is well written and well read. With all of the time I invested in listening, when the end came I felt as if I was saying goodbye to an old friend. Very much worth the time and effort to listen.

Always a good read

Einstein always makes for an interesting read. He was an amazing, if not perfect, man. Although I would never claim to understand all of his scientific discoveries, I know enough to understand that he was incredibly intelligent, a deep thinker, and one who discarded any artificial barriers or boundaries. Of course the part I liked best was his love of music, the violin in particular, and his claim that many of his discoveries came about as a result of musical perception. I love that he carried his violin around like a baby, and turned to it whenever he needed to let of steam, or just to think. He was the most right brained scientist I have ever heard of, which is to say, he was very balanced. Watch out, educational administrators! When you cut your music programs, you may be stunting the next Einstein.

Excellent book that covers more than just Einstein

Great book that makes you understand why Einstein was as icon. It was three books in one. It was a biography, overview of his physics theories (in layman???s language) and impacts of being Jewish in Germany during world war one & two. What really surprised me was that he struggled to get a professorship as well as his impact on the world stage away from physics. He was a remarkable person for his accomplishments in physics and beyond and this book brought his story and the times in which he lived to life.

Captivating Biography

Fascinating history of a fascinating personality. Use of quotes enhanced the authenticity. Some personal opinion appears in the book, but it is always based upon significant documentation. Author is careful to identify events that are probably fiction. While heavy into science, the author provides interesting accounts that proving insights into the personality of Einstein.

Eye opening and inspiring.

Walter Isaacson does such a great job of digging into the person of Einstein that you almost feel like one of the family as you get into this book. The historical ride through one of the most formative periods in world history is a side benefit of the thoroughness of Isaacson's work. I think anyone interested in history will find this book fascinating. The voice of the history channel is also a plus. Edward Hermann is excellent.

A bit dull

it took me months to finish. There was never a cliff hanger moment that made me want to listen more. Einstein was a fascinating person, but the story was a bit boring.

Great Read

very long but we'll worth the listen. this book is the most comprehensive history of Einstein's life that I have read. very well written and read.

A very thorough account

in hindsight I think I should have read the abridged version. This book is so detailed that I found it tedious to finish. great information, but too long for my taste. in addition I should have read it at 1.25x speed much of the time. There may be a few areas where you want to slow down to catch the thought experiments, but overall I think the author is just fairly slow.

Incredible

The story is fascinating. I'm sad I have not gotten to know him sooner. The presentation was superb

Lovely listen

Brilliant addition to my cross country drive. Engaging look into the life and time of one of the wisest among us