Einstein: His Life and Universe

This is truly a great audio book – and a steal at 1 credit. The author not only describes Einstein’s life in fantastic details – he also dedicates a fair amount of pages to the explanation of the theory of relativity. He does this surprisingly well – and in a way that makes you understand what it is all about. To this end, you can regard this title as both an Einstein biography and a “Relativity Theories for Dummies”. The narrator Edward Herrmann (as always) was a really good choice for this book. I enjoyed this book immensely – and can only urge others to download it and learn more about this incredible human being that Albert Einstein really was.

In combining the personal and scientific story of Einstein Walter Isaacson has truly created a moving and highly entertaining biography. From his early triumphs as a Swiss patent examiner when he made his earliest breakthroughs to his quixotic quest for a "unified field theory" and his connection to the Jewish people I loved this book. If I were a Pulitzer voter I would give it a Pulitzer for biography. Edward Herrmann narrates with great care and I was able to follow the complex scientific parts with ease. If you download this book you will not be disappointed.

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.

I feel like I just finished a minimester crash course in Physics. Not an easy read but worth the effort for the history alone. I learned a great deal about the 1st half of the 20th century, World War 1 & 2, European Universities, political climates, Nobel politics and more. It took me a while to get through it all and I may listen to some setions again to be sure I got it all. Really interesting in the personal aspects of Einstein and the level of fame and celebrity he enjoyed while alive.

Absolutely great. There were so many details that history did not seem to detail well enough, but look no further than here. You don't need to know physics to enjoy this book, but you can learn. What an incredible journey of one of the greatest minds in history.

As a PhD scientist I found that the book was a tremendous blend of not only the facts of his life but also a glimpse of how different the scientific world was in the early 1900's, how the public perceived science and the breadth of Einstein's life, accomplisments and goals.

First this book gives a perspective about the man who may be the greatest scientific contributor. Brlliant in science and so human away from his theories. His intellect did not spare him from issues with women and family. He generated great loyalty from some and created life long enemies with others. His passion for sociological issues was as deep as his passion for science.

For the non physicists, this book provides the best explanation of his theories I've ever read. It very succinctly provides the principles and their applications accurately without watering it down to be meaningless.

The book tells of the comraderie amongst the most famous scientists of the day. I marvel that the interaction between Einstein and such notables as Marie Curie, Max Planck, Schroedinger (to name drop a few) communicated in such a meaningful way in a time when electricity was new! Imagine Einstein and Marie Curie's family going on vacations together!

The other fascinating thing is the interest the general public had in science at that time. Imagine that the theory of relativity was front page news in the NY Times - or that people would gather in auditoriums not for a rock concert, but to hear the results of a research project that would confirm the relativity theory!

It took me quite a while to be engaged by this book. I almost quit it a number of times but kept plodding thru it until it finally captured my interest. The problem is the first 1/3 of the book is primarily the text of letters written to and by Einstein. I did not find there to be much insight into Einstein's life or any deduction by the author as to why or why not Einstein made certain choices in his science or personal life. However, once the book reaches the "miracle year" and more science is involved I found the book much more interesting. I also enjoyed the last part of the book immensely when Einstein's science is not as prevelant but his celebrity and social ideals become a major part of his character.

Very long, but worth it. Fascinating to learn about the life behind the famous theory. The author does a great job of explaining the science to those of us who are challenged in that subject. Obviously well researched and well organized.

If you are looking for a great treatment on the life and character of Albert Einstein look no further. I'm not so convinced, however, that one gleans much on the nature of Relativity from the book. The book considers a personal and professional chronology of his life in way that is interesting and stimulating. The narration is quite outstanding. Making a book like this an easy listen I do not think is an easy thing. The only book I might equate with this ease of listen and profundity of such a subject would be Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku narrated by Marc Vietor.

This book on the life of Einstein was without a doubt the most indepth, personal, whitty, piece of work I've ever heard! It shocked me on many respects how he lived his life, both good and bad. This book is one I'll definiately be listening to again. I found that this book was perfect to keep my mind stimulated while doing my boring job. Many times I found myself laughing out-loud and having people give me funny looks. Einstein was more comical than I could have eer imagined! I only wish more scientists shared his mentality in this day and age and didn't believe all this evolution mumbo jumbo.