By Walter Isaacson
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
While I enjoyed the book, as with the author’s biography of Leonardo da Vinci, I found some early sections overly technical. Parts quickly delve deep into physics, so much so that it felt like being back in a university lecture. I didn’t care for this, but once the focus returned to Einstein’s life and personality, the story was captivating.
The Myth of the Math Genius
One thing that stood out was the reality of Einstein’s mathematical abilities. While he was certainly brilliant and far better at math than the average person, it wasn’t always his strongest suit. He was a master of theoretical physics who relied on physical intuition; however, he eventually realized he needed complex mathematics to prove his theories. To bridge this gap, he frequently collaborated with more gifted mathematicians, such as Marcel Grossmann, to support his groundbreaking work.
The Nobel Prize and Personality
Interestingly, Einstein did not receive the Nobel Prize for his most famous achievement, the Theory of Relativity. Instead, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the photoelectric effect.
The book also offers a nuanced view of Einstein, emphasizing his humanity and his flaws. Einstein could be dismissive of others when he was confident in his own ideas, a trait that sometimes alienated his peers and even hindered his career advancement and Nobel nomination.
A Complicated Personal Life
Einstein’s personal life was often turbulent. He had a daughter, Lieserl, born out of wedlock to his first wife, Mileva Marić. Because of the social stigma of the time, she was likely given up for adoption or passed away in infancy; no solid record of her adult life exists.
The book discusses Einstein’s emotional distance, with some historians speculating about traits that may have affected his relationships. His home life faced further challenges, as his first wife struggled with depression and his son, Eduard, was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The Pacifist and the Bomb
A major misconception is that Einstein was directly involved in the development of the atomic bomb. He was not. While his work on E=mc2 provided the theoretical framework that made such a weapon possible, he was a strict pacifist who deeply disagreed with the use of nuclear weapons. However, his pacifism evolved as he witnessed the rise of Nazi Germany. He eventually realized that while peace is the goal, there are times when aggression must be met with force to protect humanity.
Final Thoughts
In sum, this is a fascinating portrait of a complex, flawed, yet inspirational man whose scientific achievements and humanity changed the world.