Einstein's Cosmos

How Albert Einstein's Vision Transformed Our Understanding of Space and Time: Great Discoveries

By: Michio Kaku

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

A dazzling tour of the universe as Einstein saw it.

How did Albert Einstein come up with the theories that changed the way we look at the world? By thinking in pictures. Michio Kaku, leading theoretical physicist (a cofounder of string theory) and best-selling science storyteller, shows how Einstein used seemingly simple images to lead a revolution in science. Daydreaming about racing a beam of light led to the special theory of relativity and the equation E = mc^2. Thinking about a man falling led to the general theory of relativity giving us black holes and the Big Bang. Einstein's failure to come up with a theory that would unify relativity and quantum mechanics stemmed from his lacking an apt image. Even in failure, however, Einstein's late insights have led to new avenues of research as well as to the revitalization of the quest for a "Theory of Everything".

With originality and expertise, Kaku uncovers the surprising beauty that lies at the heart of Einstein's cosmos.

©2004 Michio Kaku (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great portait of Einstein and his accomplishments.

Any additional comments?

Kaku infuses humanity into the paragon of modern physics while revealing the kernel of inspiration for each of Einstein's most notable achievements. Einstein's belief that any concept can be embodied in a simple picture both underscores his genius for conceiving of his illuminating scenarios, but also begins to lay the foundation for his lifelong unease with the quantum theory which defies simple distillation. When you expose all of his fears, failures, ego and doubt you cannot help but ground him in a simple humanity which makes his impact all the more immense.

Fascinating look at a brilliant mind

This is a story of Einstein's greatest achievements and the personal, scientific and political environment revolving around it. I enjoyed Kaku's unique style of bringing Einstein to life as a human with human concerns.

I would never have read this

and gotten through it. But listening to it is the way to go. It gives you a much better understanding of things.

Great narrative on the life of Einstein

Book gives great narrative to one of the worlds most influential people of the sciences. Enjoyed the reading

Superb

As always, Ray Porter is amazing. Great insight into Einstein and his journey through physics.

Einstein's canvas

A valuable little book that covers the grandiosity of Einstein's life, his mind, and his picture of the cosmos which we all look upon with clear sight as a result of the gift that was his life.

A Revealing look at Einstein

I found myself smiling as young Einstein took the physics world by storm, and my heart beating faster as the author described the implications of Einstein's many predictions for modern physics, especially super string theory. The breadth of his career and the magnitude of his discoveries are astounding. Kaku's book takes steps that other biographers have not to redeem Einstein's legacy, by focusing not on the lack of new theories after 1925, but on the groundwork laid by Einstein which have since proven true once testable (like getting enough Bose-Einstein condensate). A great and quick listen, but may have been better with visuals for some of the more complicated physical principles. I wanted to see the formulas! Highly recommend.

Great way to learn Einstein's legacy

I admit that I never seriously studied Einstein's equations or quantum physics, but this book gave me a great outline of the development of modern physics. I am now motivated to listen to other audiobooks on modern physics or even get some paper books that contain equations. Michio Kaku is also good at depicting human side of Einstein and other physicists. It's fun to think about Einstein writing numerous love letters. I also never imagined that Schrödinger was a serious womanizer!

Good intro to Einstein

First and foremost - this is primarily Einstein’s biography. Albert and theoretical physics are part of the same but you should know that this is not a purely “relativity theory” or “quantum theory” book. Overall I enjoyed it, I think the pacing was good, Michio didn’t waste time and did not go into excruciating details on every scientific discovery.
This book is a good way to explore whether you’d be interested in finding more extended literature on the topic.

Great book

Really well written and ideal narration. I learned a ton of info I was looking for