Einstein: His Life and Universe

Walter Isaacson

Simon and Schuster, Apr 10, 2007 - Biography & Autobiography - 624 pages

By the author of the acclaimed bestsellers Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs, this is the definitive biography of Albert Einstein.

How did his 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 newly released personal letters of Einstein, this book 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.

What people are saying

Einstein A Citizen of the World

User Review  - eddiebill - Overstock.com

Ive always been fascinated with quotes from Albert Einstein I have copies of many of them. Now I know a great deal more about his entire life ... he is quite a character. Please take time to read more about this great man!

Extraordinary Account!

User Review  - chesser - Borders

Written with exquisite detail and candor, this account of the life of the most famous brilliant mind of the twentieth century will give you a whole new look at the life of Einstein beyond his theory of relativity. A must read for anyone who has had the slightest curiosity about this iconic man.

About the author

Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Einstein: His Life and Universe
• Author: Walter Isaacson
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 2007
• ISBN: 1416539328, 9781416539322
• Length: 624 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology; History / Modern / 20th Century / General; Science / Physics / Relativity