Product Description

As much as we all know that 'E = mc2' was Einstein's most important and groundbreaking equation, do we really know what it means or why Einstein is regarded as one of history's foremost thinkers? In this absorbing biography Michael White and John Gribbin reveal the man behind the physics and introduce us to his theories in an accessible and fascinating way. With an updated preface for this new edition on the fiftieth anniversary of his death and the hundredth anniversary of the theory of relativity, EINSTEIN explains how the scientific icon changed our view of the world and why no one can ever hope to understand that world without first understanding his work.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #490726 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Michael White is a contributor to the SUNDAY TIMES, the OBSERVER and NEW SCIENTIST and has worked as a scriptwriter and BBC TV and radio presenter. John Gribbin writes on science for THE TIMES, the GUARDIAN, the TELEGRAPH and the INDEPENDENT. He is the author of over 50 books and lives in East Sussex.

Customer Reviews

Disappointed with the 'new' edition
I was very disappointed upon reading the book. Certainly, the back cover advises that the book contains an 'updated preface for this revised edition . . .' and does not promise that the 2005 edition itself has been updated from the 1993 original or its revised paperback version from 1994. I was seemingly wrong to assume it had been, I did so because of the fine reputations of the authors and publisher, Simon and Schuster.

Even the small errors were uncorrected - Fritz Haber is referred to in the index as 'Franz', an article from 'The Times' is quoted on p143 but given a slightly different publication date in the notes. More seriously, the chapter entitled 'Physics after Einstein' should more properly be called 'Physics after Einstein up until 1993', not an inconsequential difference when reading about quantum theory and cosmology.

I concede that the authors and publisher did put themselves out enough to update the author profiles. We learn, for instance, that Michael White was made an Honorary Fellow of Curtin University as late as 2004. However, of more interest to me would have been to know what happened to those researchers who "expect to detect gravitational radiation with such 'telescopes' during the 1990s" (p138).

Is the book any good? Yes, these are fine writers, although a scientific background is necessary to understand some of the science. However, the quality of the book is not the issue for me. I thought I was buying a book with ideas generated in 2005. I felt hoodwinked.

Really good for understanding Einstein
I got this book as a present and at first was kind of reluctant to read it.

I changed my mind quickly - the book gives a great overview not only about Einstein's life but explains in a simple language what his theories actually mean and what implications they had on our daily life.

I will highly recommend the book to anyone looking for introduction to the life of Einstein and seeking to understand the man behind the sience.