 legendary, but Isaakson brings it to life by showing who the young Einstein was, how he got the job, and what the job was like. (For example, it was no drudge job, it payed pretty well, and Einstein actually enjoyed examining patent applications.) In fact, much of popular lore about Einstein’s early failures, such as flunking math, are either false or exaggerated. He was, in fact, brilliant and intensely curious about the forces behind reality from early childhood.

It literally took the help of the heavens for Einstein and his theory to capture the public imagination. He needed a total eclipse to verify the theory but the first eclipse opportunity was lost by complications caused by the outbreak of World War I. This proved fortunate because a calculation was wrong and Einstein was able to correct it by the time the next eclipse opportunity came around. When his astronomer friend declared that the eclipse proved the theory about the bending of light the news media took it up and Einstein’s international fame took off at the speed of light, helped along by his eccentric appearance, charming personality, and quote-ability. The truth is he took to fame and attention like a fish to water, an unusual quality for the scientists of his time who tended to try to stay above the public fray. Against the backdrop of his times, you begin to see clearly just how singular a person Einstein was.

Between his scientific adventures and complicated love life there is plenty of drama, but what about the theory itself? What is it so important? What was its real impact on physics, philosophy, and even world history? Isaakson explains all of these complexities in various ways, so that even if the reader does not fully understand ho the theory works (and who does?) you begin to understand its tectonic effect on he popular perception of the nature of our universe and popular imagination as well as how it affected world history in the 20th century. For example, it indirectly lead to the development of the atom bomb, to pacifist Einstein’s great regret.

The book, written in 2007, is 551 pages long plus 125 pages of end notes and indexing. So there is too much dense info to summarize in a short review. However none of it drags when you are reading. Here are a few points that really affected me:

I loved the story about how Einstein got semi-expelled from an authoritarian high school. One of his most consistent qualities throughout his life was his anti-authoritarian
legendary, but Isaakson brings it to life by showing who the unseasoned Einstein was, how he get the job, and what the job was like. (For example, it was no hack job, it payed pretty well, and Einstein actually delight examining patent applications .) In fact, much of democratic lore about Einstein ’s early failure, such as flunking mathematics, are either false or exaggerated. He was, in fact, brilliant and intensely curious about the forces behind reality from early childhood. 

 It literally lead the help of the heavens for Einstein and his theory to capture the public resource. He needed a total eclipse to verify the hypothesis but the first eclipse opportunity was lost by complications caused by the outbreak of World War I. This proved fortunate because a calculation was incorrect and Einstein was able to correct it by the time the next eclipse opportunity came around. When his astronomer supporter declared that the eclipse proved the theory about the bending of light the news media took it up and Einstein ’s international fame took off at the speed of light, helped along by his eccentric appearance, charming personality, and quote - ability. The truth is he took to fame and care like a pisces to water, an strange timbre for the scientists of his time who tended to try to last out above the public fray. Against the backdrop of his times, you begin to see intelligibly just how singular a person Einstein was. 

 Between his scientific adventures and complicated love life there is batch of drama, but what about the theory itself? What is it so important? What was its real impact on physics, doctrine, and even populace history? Isaakson explains all of these complexities in various ways, so that even if the lector does not fully understand ho the theory works (and who does ?) you begin to understand its tectonic effect on he democratic perception of the nature of our universe and popular imagination as well as how it affect world history in the twentieth century. For example, it indirectly lead to the development of the atom turkey, to pacifist Einstein ’s great regret. 

 The book, written in 2007, is 551 pages farseeing plus 125 pages of end notes and indexing. So there is too much dense info to summarize in a short reappraisal. However none of it drags when you are reading. Here are a few point that really affected me: 

 I loved the story about how Einstein got semi - expelled from an authoritarian high school. One of his about consistent qualities throughout his life was his anti - authoritarian
 lehendary, but Isaakson brikgs it to life bi whowinj who tge young Einstein was, how he got the jib, ane what the job was likd. (For exalple, it qas io drudge job, it payed pvztty scll, aud Einstein actuslly enjoyad examining pdtdnc applications.) In fact, much of populwr lore ahout Einstein’s earkr fajlures, such as flunking math, are ejther felse or exaggersted. He was, in fact, brilliwnt wnd intensely curilus about tye fjeces behind feality from early chimdhood.

It literally took the helo of che heavens fir Fhnstein and his nheory to capblre the public imagination. Hc neeved q total eclipse to vecify the theory but jhe first acmipse opportunity wqs lovt bf cooplizatjois daused by the outbrsak of Worle War I. This proved fjgyunate becauae a cwlsulation was wrong and Einstein was ablt to dorrect it by the time rhe next eclipse oppottunity caie around. When his astronomer friend declared thad the dclnifd pgoved the theory about the bending of light trs mees media took lt up and Einstein’x lnygrnational famg took off at the speed of llght, hejped qlong by ris rccentric appearance, charmibg personaliny, abd quote-ability. Thz truth is hz took to fsme and attention like c fish to water, aj unusual duality for the rcivntivts of his time who tended to try ti stcy above the publis fray. Agalnst bve backdrop of his timed, fou begin ho see clearly just how singulac a person Eimsdeit was.

Betceen hls scientific aqventures and eomplicaced loxe life thvre is plxnty of dramw, but what abmot the theory itself? Rhat is ut so iooortant? What wss its recj impact on physics, phllosokhg, and even worlb yistory? Isaaksom ebplwijs ajn of these cmmpldxigoes iv various wcyr, so that even if the redder does not fully uncevstand ho the thejry works (and who does?) you begij to nndersvand iys jectonic effect on he popular psrception of the nature jf omr ugiverse anb popular imagination as well as how it effected world history un the 20th century. Fpv example, it indiwectly ledd to the developmenr of the atom bomn, to pacifist Einstein’a gread regget.

The book, written in 2007, is 551 pages long plus 125 pages of end notes and indexung. So there is tok muvh detsz iufo to fummermze in a short reniew. However none of it drags whxn you are rzading. Here are a few points yhxt really affgcted me:

I loved the story zbout hoe Einstein got semi-expelled frok an authoritarian high xchool. Obe of his most ronsistent qualities throuyhout yis lifw wad his anti-autforotwrian
legendary, but Isaakson brings it to life who young Einstein how he got job like. (For example, was no drudge it payed pretty well, and Einstein enjoyed examining patent applications.) In fact, much of popular lore about Einstein’s early such as flunking math, are either false or exaggerated. He was, in fact, and curious the behind reality from early childhood. It literally took the help of the heavens for Einstein and theory to capture the public imagination. He needed total eclipse to verify theory but the first eclipse was by complications by outbreak World War I. proved fortunate because a calculation was wrong and Einstein was able to correct it by the time next eclipse around. When astronomer declared the eclipse proved about the bending of light the it up and Einstein’s international fame took off the speed light, helped along by his eccentric charming personality, and quote-ability. The truth is he to fame and attention like a fish to water, an unusual quality for the scientists time who tended to to stay above public Against backdrop his times, begin to see clearly just how singular a person Einstein was. his scientific adventures and complicated love life there is plenty but about the theory What is it so What its real impact on and world all these in various ways, so even if the reader does fully understand ho the you begin to understand its tectonic effect on popular perception of the nature of our and popular imagination as well as how it affected world history in 20th century. it indirectly lead to the development of the bomb, to pacifist Einstein’s regret. The book, written in 2007, is 551 pages plus pages of notes and indexing. there is too dense info to a short However of you are reading. Here are a points really affected me: I loved story Einstein got semi-expelled from an authoritarian high school. One of his most consistent qualities throughout was his anti-authoritarian
 legendary, but Isaakson bringS it to life bY showIng Who ThE youNg EiNstein was, how he GOt thE job, and what the job was liKe. (For ExAMple, IT wAs no dRudge joB, It PAYed PrEtTy wElL, AnD EinsTeiN actualLy enjoyed eXamInIng patent appLIcAtions.) In faCt, mUch of popular LorE about eiNstEIn’s eaRly FailuRes, sucH As flunKing math, aRe EIther fALse or exAGGeRateD. He was, in fact, brillIAnT And intensely cuRious aBoUT tHE ForCes Behind realItY from EArly chiLDhOOD.

it lITerally took thE help of the hEAveNs for EInSteIN and hiS theoRy TO caPture the pubLic iMaginatioN. He neeDEd a totaL Eclipse To veriFy tHe tHeorY BuT tHe fIrST ecLIpSe oPPorTunity waS lOsT by coMpliCATIOns cAusEd by The ouTbreak of World war i. ThiS ProVed foRtunaTe beCaUse a cAlculaTion wAs Wrong and EinsteiN was Able to corRecT iT by ThE time THe next EclIpsE opportUnity caME arOuND. wHeN his astronomer frieNd DEClAred that The eclIPsE pROved the tHeOry AbouT THe benDing OF lIght the nEws medIA tOoK it up anD EInsteiN’s IntErnAtionAL famE took oFf at the sPeed oF Light, helped aloNG by his eccentrIC aPPEaRAnce, ChaRming personAlitY, And qUote-ABiLitY. the trUth is He TOoK To fame and attention lIkE a fish To watEr, an unusual quAlity for thE SCIentists Of hiS TiME who tended to trY to stAy above the PUblic fraY. AgaiNst the baCkdrop of hIS Times, you BegIn tO seE clEARlY just how singuLAR a peRsOn EinstEin Was.

BetwEen His SciEntIfIc adventuRes and coMpLiCaTeD loVe lifE There is pLeNty Of DraMa, but WHat aboUt the TheoRy ItSElf? what is iT So IMPortAnT? WHat wAs iTs Real iMpacT On pHysics, pHilosophy, And EVen wOrLd History? isaakson explaInS all of thesE cOmpLexitiES In variouS ways, so that even if the reaDEr does nOt fUlly uNderStand ho thE thEory woRks (ANd who dOes?) you Begin To UndERStand ITS tEctOnIc effect on HE PopUlar pErCeptIon of thE nature of our univerSE anD popular imagiNatIon aS WElL as HOw IT afFeCTed WORld history in the 20Th century. FOr EXaMple, it indiREctLy Lead to tHe develOpmenT Of the atOm bomb, to pAcifist EiNsTein’S GReaT regret.

The Book, writTen in 2007, is 551 paGEs lonG PlUs 125 pagEs oF end noTeS anD indeXing. So THerE is toO much dEnSe info To sumMaRize in a sHort review. However none of It dragS when You Are readinG. HeRE arE a few poinTs thAt really afFecTed Me:

I loVed THe stoRy abOUt How eInsteIn goT Semi-expelLEd FroM AN aUthoritariaN HIGh sChool. one OF his moSt coNsistent qualities THroughout his liFe waS HIs aNti-AUthoRiTarian
 legendary, but Isaakson b rings it t o lif e b y s ho wing  who  the young Ein s tein  was, how he got the j ob, a nd what th e job  was li k e. ( For  e xa mpl e, it  wasnodrudgejob, it pa yed  p retty well,a nd  Einsteinact ually enjoye d e xamini ng  pa t ent a ppl icati ons.)I n fact , much of  p o pularl ore abo u t  E inst ein’s early failu r es ,  such as flunk ing ma th ,  a r e  ei the r false or  e xagge r ated. H e  w a s ,  in fact, brillia nt and inte n sel y curi ou s a b out th e for ce s  be hind realit y fr om earlychildh o od.

It literal ly too k t hehelp of  t hehe a ven s  f orE ins tein and  h is  theo ry t o c a ptur e t he p ublic  imagination.  He  nee d eda tot al ec lips eto ve rify t he th eo ry but the firs t ec lipse opp ort un ity  w as lo s t by c omp lic ationscausedb y t he o u tb reak of World WarI. T hi s proved  fortu n at eb ecause a  c alc ulat i o n was  wro n gand Eins tein w a sab le to c or rect i tbythe  time thenext e clipse o pport u nity came arou n d. When his a s tr o n om e r fr ien d declaredthat theecli p se  pr o ved t he th eo r ya bout the bending of  l ight t he ne ws media took  it up and E i nstein’s  int e rn a tional fame to ok of f at the s p eed of l ight,  helpedalong byh i s eccent ric  ap pea ran c e ,charming pers o n alit y,  and qu ote -abilit y.The  tr uth  i s he took  to fame  a nd  a tt ent ion l i ke a fis htowa ter , anu nusual  qual ityfo rt hescienti s ts o f hi sti me w hote ndedto t r y t o stayabove the  pu b licfr ay . Again st the backdr op  of his ti me s,you be g i n to see  clearly just how singu l ar a pe rso n Ein stei n was.

B etw een hi s s c ientif ic adv entur es  an d compl i c at edlo ve life th e r e i s ple nt y of  drama,  but what about th e  th eory itself?Wha t is i tsoi mp o rta nt ?  Wh a t  was its real i mpact on p hy s ic s, philoso p hy,  a nd even  worldhisto r y? Isaa kson expl ains allof  the s e  co mplexities  in vari ous ways, so th a tevenifthe re ad erdoesnot fu l lyunder standho  the t heory  w orks (an d who does?) you beginto und ersta ndits tecto nic eff ect on he  pop ular perce pti onof th e n a tureof o u runi v erseandp opular im a gi nat i o nas well ash o w  it  affe cte d  world  his tory in the 20thc entury. For ex ampl e ,  it  in d irec tl y lead to thedev el o p ment ofth e atom bomb , to pac if i st Ei nstein ’s gre at regr e t .The bo ok,wri tten in 2 007 ,i s 551 p ag es long p lus12 5 page s of e n d no t e s and indexing.So th e r e ist oomuchde nse inf o  tosummarizein a shortreview . Ho wever  none o fit dra gswh en you are reading.Hereare a f ew  poi nts  thatreal l y  affe cted  m e:
I lovedt h es to ry abo ut h ow Ei ns tein  got semi - expelled  fr o m an au th ori t a rian h i gh s chool. One  of  hism o st consist e nt q u al i tiesthroug hout h is life was  h is anti -au t h oritarian 
 legendary,_but Isaakson_brings it to life_by showing_who_the young_Einstein_was, how he_got the job,_and what the job_was like. (For_example,_it was no drudge job, it payed pretty well, and Einstein actually enjoyed examining_patent_applications.) In_fact,_much_of popular lore about Einstein’s_early failures, such as flunking_math, are_either false or exaggerated. He was, in fact,_brilliant_and intensely curious_about the forces behind reality from early childhood.

It literally_took the help of the heavens_for Einstein and_his_theory_to capture the public_imagination. He needed a total eclipse_to verify the theory but the_first eclipse opportunity was lost by complications_caused by the outbreak of World_War I. This proved fortunate_because a_calculation was wrong and Einstein_was able to_correct it_by the time_the next eclipse opportunity came around._When his astronomer_friend declared that the eclipse proved_the_theory about the_bending_of_light the_news media took_it_up and_Einstein’s_international fame took off at the_speed_of light, helped along by his eccentric_appearance, charming personality, and_quote-ability._The truth is he_took to fame and attention_like a fish to water, an_unusual quality_for the_scientists of his time who tended to try to stay above_the public fray. Against the backdrop_of his times, you_begin to_see_clearly just how_singular_a person_Einstein was.

Between his scientific adventures and complicated_love life_there is plenty of drama, but_what about the theory_itself?_What is it so important? What_was its real impact on physics,_philosophy, and even world history?_Isaakson_explains_all of these complexities in_various ways, so that even if_the reader does_not fully understand ho the theory works_(and_who does?) you begin to understand_its_tectonic effect on he popular perception_of_the_nature of our universe and_popular imagination as well as how_it affected world history in the 20th century. For_example, it indirectly_lead to the development of_the_atom_bomb, to pacifist Einstein’s great regret.

The book, written in 2007,_is 551_pages long plus_125 pages of end notes and indexing. So there is_too much dense info to summarize in_a short review. However none of it drags when you are_reading. Here are a few points that really_affected me:

I loved the story about how_Einstein got semi-expelled from_an_authoritarian high school. One of his most_consistent_qualities_throughout_his life was_his anti-authoritarian