Reading Einstein - The Next Few Chapters

As I delved deeper into the biography, it began to surface that despite being a genius, Einstein did make mistakes. He was human after all. While he struggled to to correct his mistakes he was also faced with family problems where he was kept away from his sons. World War I did not make things easier. It was revealed that the true genius in Einstein was to be able to solve his scientific problems while burdened by emotional distractions and at about the same time, competition in the form of a David Hilbert who was racing Einstein to solve the equations of general relativity.

These further chapters also illustrate Einstein as being a rather objective person. He would praise his estranged wife on her good parenting of their two sons. On a more professional take on things, Einstein would even make peace with his rival Hilbert when things cooled down.

Einstein was also a person that would retreat into his work when his personal problems became too overwhelming. This reminded me of the book I’ve recently read - Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus where men would seek solace and retreat into their caves. Very true indeed.

After all he had been through, he finally found success and recognition when his theory of relativity was proven true. He became a worldwide celebrity! It was rather unusual that the science community at the time do not encourage publicity. Einstein’s friends actually discouraged him.

As fame brought Einstein to America, England and France, anti-semitism sentiments worsened in his home country. Being a Jew, his popularity made him an enemy of the Nazis. His name appeared on the Nazi’s target lists. At one point Einstein pondered to seclude himself and become an engineer but of course that didn’t happen.

You can read about the first few chapters here.

Onwards to the next chapters!

Reading Einstein - The First Few Chapters

First of all, I’m intrigued that I had even considered buying a biography, no matter that it’s about one of science’s greatest minds. The fact that it is written by Walter Isaacson the famed biographer and the book itself was BookXcess’ Book of the Month (which meant at the time of purchase it was heavily discounted) sealed the deal.

I’m puzzled why I’d bought the book even to this day. Surely, I couldn’t be that interested about someone else’s life. Nonetheless, I’ve started reading the overwhelmingly thick book weeks ago. According to Goodreads, I’m at 24%. That means I’ve got three quarters ways to go.

I’m surprised that throughout the book so far I rarely found it boring at all (except when the author was explaining the science). In fact, I’m amazed with how Einstein survived and triumphed despite his brashness and lack of people skills. I couldn’t help to wonder how he’d do in present times where paper correspondences were replaced unashamedly by social media.

The biography also read out to become more of a novel than a boring reconstitution of Einstein’s life. There’re love stories and, interestingly, love affair, too. I did not think Einstein would have much of a love life but in fact he was a handsome theoretical physicist with substantial encounters with love. It was also pleasant to know that in his life of science, Einstein did not fully renounce religion. There is still a place for the almighty.

I’m at the point where Einstein was at the verge of a breakthrough in coming up with the special theory of relativity. Note that this was a prerequisite to his famous general theory of relativity which wouldn’t emerge until years later. This came after a struggling early adult life where he was unemployed for the most part and then ended up in the patent office. His unsuccessful early life was in large caused by his arrogance.

That’s all for now. Back to the book among other things.