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The Einstein Scrapbook
Einstein personifies supreme intellect, his name synonymous with genius. His scientific theories revolutionized the way we look at reality. His legacy of pacificism, Zionism & social justice continues to inspire millions around the world. The Einstein Scrapbook offers a unique glimpse into the life & work of this remarkable man which will delight those for whom he is a hero & those familiar with him only as an icon. Featuring illuminating documents & photographs from his personal papers--many published here for the first time--it provides a kaleidoscope thru which to see the great scientist & humanist anew.
The book opens with a concise biography exploring Einstein's family history & education, his career as a scientist & educator, his marital relations & his paternal role. Subsequent sections present an overview of his scientific theories, from his breakthrough articles on the special theory of relativity, quantum theory & Brownian motion published in 1905--his annus mirabilis--thru his general theory of relativity in 1916 & his final quest for a unified field theory. The book also shows his role in the international peace movement & his views on social & economic justice, as well as his Jewish identity & his relationship to the Jewish people & Israel, culminating in his being offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. On the lighter side, this book chronicles his passion for music & sailing, his charming correspondence with children from round the world & some of the curious letters he received from fans during later years. It concludes with a look at his mythic status. Drawn from the collection of the Hebrew University's Albert Einstein Archives, The Scrapbook reflects his brilliance, humor, generosity & nobility.
From the Scrapbook:
"Dear Elsa,...If you were to recite the most beautiful poem ever so divinely, the joy I would derive from it would not come close to the joy I experienced when I received the mushrooms & goose cracklings you cooked."
"Dear Mother, Good news today. H.A. Lorentz has telegraphed me that the British expeditions have definitely confirmed the deflection of light by the sun. Unfortunately, Maja has written me that you're not only in a lot of pain but that you also have gloomy thoughts. How I would like to keep you company again so that you're not left to ugly brooding...Affectionately yours, Albert"
"Concern for man himself & his fate must always form the chief interest for all technical endeavors, concern for the great unsolved problems of the organization of labor & the distribution of goods--in order that the creations of our mind shall be a blessing & not a curse for mankind. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams & equations."
"I am deeply moved by the offer from our State of Israel [to become President], & at once saddened & ashamed that I cannot accept it. All my life I have dealt with objective matters, hence I lack both the natural aptitude & the experience to deal properly with people & to exercise official functions. For these reasons alone I should be unsuited to fulfill the duties of that high office, even if advancing age was not making increasing inroads on my strength. I am the more distressed over these circumstances because my relationship to the Jewish people has become my strongest human bond, ever since I became fully aware of our precarious situation among the nations of the world."
"Dear Posterity, If you have not become more just, more peaceful, & generally more rational than we are (or were)--why then, the Devil take you. Having, with all respect, given utterance to this pious wish, I am (or was) Yours, Albert Einstein"
The book opens with a concise biography exploring Einstein's family history & education, his career as a scientist & educator, his marital relations & his paternal role. Subsequent sections present an overview of his scientific theories, from his breakthrough articles on the special theory of relativity, quantum theory & Brownian motion published in 1905--his annus mirabilis--thru his general theory of relativity in 1916 & his final quest for a unified field theory. The book also shows his role in the international peace movement & his views on social & economic justice, as well as his Jewish identity & his relationship to the Jewish people & Israel, culminating in his being offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. On the lighter side, this book chronicles his passion for music & sailing, his charming correspondence with children from round the world & some of the curious letters he received from fans during later years. It concludes with a look at his mythic status. Drawn from the collection of the Hebrew University's Albert Einstein Archives, The Scrapbook reflects his brilliance, humor, generosity & nobility.
From the Scrapbook:
"Dear Elsa,...If you were to recite the most beautiful poem ever so divinely, the joy I would derive from it would not come close to the joy I experienced when I received the mushrooms & goose cracklings you cooked."
"Dear Mother, Good news today. H.A. Lorentz has telegraphed me that the British expeditions have definitely confirmed the deflection of light by the sun. Unfortunately, Maja has written me that you're not only in a lot of pain but that you also have gloomy thoughts. How I would like to keep you company again so that you're not left to ugly brooding...Affectionately yours, Albert"
"Concern for man himself & his fate must always form the chief interest for all technical endeavors, concern for the great unsolved problems of the organization of labor & the distribution of goods--in order that the creations of our mind shall be a blessing & not a curse for mankind. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams & equations."
"I am deeply moved by the offer from our State of Israel [to become President], & at once saddened & ashamed that I cannot accept it. All my life I have dealt with objective matters, hence I lack both the natural aptitude & the experience to deal properly with people & to exercise official functions. For these reasons alone I should be unsuited to fulfill the duties of that high office, even if advancing age was not making increasing inroads on my strength. I am the more distressed over these circumstances because my relationship to the Jewish people has become my strongest human bond, ever since I became fully aware of our precarious situation among the nations of the world."
"Dear Posterity, If you have not become more just, more peaceful, & generally more rational than we are (or were)--why then, the Devil take you. Having, with all respect, given utterance to this pious wish, I am (or was) Yours, Albert Einstein"
219 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 6, 2014
Definitely interesting.. Reading this collage of material from Einstein's life really made me want to read more about his theories. I realized that I had a lot of preconceived notions about him like what contributions, or lack thereof, he made towards the atomic bomb. To learn that he was actually incredibly anti-military, pro-peace, and a bit of a socialist makes him all the more appealing!
Even if you don't bother reading this book, at least skim through the pictures. It was great to see one of the most influential physicists of our time living just as anyone else would.
Even if you don't bother reading this book, at least skim through the pictures. It was great to see one of the most influential physicists of our time living just as anyone else would.
March 21, 2012
I very quick read; took less than a day to get through it. Not bad but nothing spectacular. I did learn quite a bit that I didn't know about Einstein, and it corrected a lot of misconceptions about him. It was definitely cool to see all the pictures of him and his original papers. Made him feel much more real to me. Good read.
January 17, 2013
There isn't much to this book beyond the photographs. The whole thing took under two hours to read and it is doubtful that its author understood much of Einstein as a theoretical physicist.
January 10, 2026
"During our journey Einstein explained his theory to me every day and on my arrival in America I was fully convinced that he understood it." --CHAIM WEIZMANN
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews