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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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What listeners say about Einstein

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Amazing

Very strong and lovely book and very interesting the life of Albert Einstein that gave us a wonderful way to see life in other way that we don’t see anymore!

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Masterpiece

Didn’t want the book to end. A beautiful insight into Einstein brilliant mind and his simple and kind nature. Edward Herman narration is brilliant

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Through description of a very interesting man

Loved to see the personal side and it really feels authentic by all the letters the author managed to get, easy and enjoyable book

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a better understanding of Einstein

I found this book to be both in depth, and wide in its breadth. while it did not go into great details to the equations, it gave a insight as to how those equations came about and shaped both Einstein's life and our world.

For those who want a greater dive into his actual equations, there are always scholarly papers. But this gives an excellent well-rounded and insightful look into Einstein's life, motivations, genius, frailties, and humanity.

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The Life Of Einstein

One of the worlds greatest intuitive minds.

Another genius shown to have flaws, just like every other human.
Showing great abilities for introspection and wisdom. Benevolence, Curiosity and Creativity again goes hand in hand, just like with most of the other great minds in history.
Writing and solitude again shown to be central parts of the world changers behaviours

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Fantastic!

A great life summary of a man who revolutionized the world through sheer curiosity and willingness to continuously question how the universe works.

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Great story perfectly narrated

One of the best books I have had. No previous scientific knowledge required to enjoy it.

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Accessible and entertaining!

Mr Isaacson’s ability to compile complex histories, timelines, and ideas into comprehensible and entertaining text in combination with Mr Herrmann’s ability to express these ideas at the right speed and cadence including the nuances of the authors personal humor, make this book (and others by this duo) extremely enchanting and enjoyable!!

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Lengthy, but only because it's worth it.

I feel more informed about Einestein's character, work, beliefs, and the world he lived in after listening to this book. It's definitely long but there may not be another way to describe his life.

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Another great biography from Walter Isaacson!

Great audio performance and story! Highly recommended!! My second favorite after Isaacson's work on DaVinci.

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