This new biography attempts a balanced assessment of the most
famous scientist of modern times. Brian (Genius Talk: Conversations
with Nobel Scientists and Other Luminaries, 1995) draws on material
recently released from Einstein's archives, much of it concerning
less than flattering aspects of his private life. The reader learns
of rumors of a daughter, Liserl, who may have been given up for
adoption; of his mentally ill son Eduard, who died in a Swiss
psychiatric hospital; of a long string of affairs; of the recent
allegations that his first wife, Mileva, was an unacknowledged
collaborator in the discovery of the Relativity Theory. Brian does
not try to make too much of this material, most of which is at best
peripheral to Einstein's life and achievement. (The allegations
concerning Mileva, which have been trumpeted by feminist critics,
he dismisses as unfounded.) Nor does he much alter our perception
of the key issues of Einstein's scientific work - relativity and
the search for a Unified Field Theory, which dominated the last
three decades of his career. Einstein's flight from Nazi
persecution, the letter to FDR that spurred the creation of the
Manhattan Project, and his tireless work on behalf of the founding
of Israel are given full and illuminating treatment. Likewise, we
get a clear picture of his humble, almost bohemian, daily life; of
his playful sense of humor and his love of music; and of the awe he
inspired in many of those close to him. We also get a disturbing
look at the fear and hatred he inspired in others, illustrated by
excerpts from his voluminous FBI file. Brian draws on an impressive
range of sources, from ordinary people who happened to cross
Einstein's path to the scientists with whom he worked. The only
serious shortcoming is Brian's style, which occasionally borders on
the soporific. Sometimes slow-moving, but a comprehensive and
evenhanded treatment of Einstein in the wake of recent charges
against his character. (Kirkus Reviews)
Acclaim for Einstein: A Life
"Denis Brian's convincing picture . . . only makes our wonder grow at Einstein's sublime achievements." —The Washington Post
"Does much to reveal the man behind the image . . . Brian's intimate work proves that in literature, as in science, taking a careful look can be a rewarding endeavor." —Detroit Free Press.
"A fascinating, vastly enjoyable, deeply researched and fair account of Einstein the man." —Physics World
"Exhaustively researched, almost obsessively detailed, written with unobtrusive informality, the book is exemplary as a record of Einstein's personal and professional life." —The Spectator (U.K.)
"An utterly fascinating life of a great scientist full of new insights and very readable." —Ashley Montagu
"A fascinating read with more interesting material about Einstein as a human being than I have ever seen before . . . Once I started it, I couldn't put it down." —Robert Jastrow astrophysicist and bestselling author
"A thoughtful and captivating account of one whom I had the joy of knowing and loving." —George Wald Nobel Laureate
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