Einstein : the passions of a scientist / Barry Parker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parker, Barry R.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955.

Einstein, Albert.

Physicists--Biography.

Physicists.

Relativity (Physics).

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

297 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus Books, 2003.

Summary:

In this unique contribution to the Einstein literature, physicist and acclaimed science writer Parker draws on the great scientist's letters and personal papers to explore the intellectual and emotional passions that motivated both his work and his life. Illustrations throughout.

Contents:

1. An Early Passion for Learning and Music 21

2. Leaving Munich 33

The Surprise 36

Arrival in Milan 38

More Problems 40

The Essay 41

3. First Love 43

The Exams 44

To Aarau 45

The Winteler Family 46

First Love 47

The School 48

Continuing Love for Music 50

Christmas at the Wintelers and Beyond 51

Changing Relations with Marie 53

Continuing Passion for Physics 54

The Matura Exams 55

The Future 56

4. Student Days and a New Love 57

New Friends 58

Mileva 60

A Mathematical Attitude 62

"Herr Weber" 65

Mileva's Return 67

Passion for the Lab 68

Other Passions 70

Disappointments 71

5. The Women in His Life 75

A Passion for Knowledge 76

Off to Paradise 78

Julia Niggli 80

The Final Year 82

Other Women in His Life 83

Worries Become Panic for Mileva 84

The Final Exams 85

The "Blowup" 87

6. Family Ties 89

Compassion for Family 91

Questionable Passion for Mileva 93

More Rejections 96

Determination in the Midst of Frustration 97

A Ray of Light 98

An Unpleasant Surprise 100

7. More Difficulties 101

Happiness and Dismay 102

Courage under Fire 104

A New Job 106

Visit to Kleiner 109

Old Friends 110

Lieserl 111

8. Gaining New Insights 115

Old Friends 116

A Visitor 116

Solovine 117

The Patent Office 121

The Olympic Academy 122

A Death in the Family 126

9. A Passion for Understanding Nature 129

Other Friends 131

Mileva's Visit Home 132

The Failed Collaboration 133

A Passion for Research 135

Mileva's Contribution 138

A Letter to Habicht 140

10. The Miracle Year: 1905 143

Another Thesis 146

Brownian Motion 148

Relativity 149

A Vacation 154

More Frustration 155

11. Extending the Theory 157

A Visitor 159

The Yearbook Article 160

A Letter from Kleiner 162

A Professorship at Last 164

The Fiasco 165

The Honorary Doctorate 166

The New Professor 167

To Prague 170

12. The General Theory 175

Professor at the Poly 177

Visitors from Berlin 180

Moving to Berlin 184

Separation 185

Path to the General Theory 187

Mileva's Breakdown 191

13. Confirmation and a Passion for Determinacy 195

The New Universe 196

Stomach Problems Continue 198

Another Divorce Attempt 200

The Ilse Affair 203

Eclipse and Fame 205

Another Death in the Family 208

Backlash 209

The Nobel Prize 212

Quantum Theory 213

Clinging to Determinism 215

14. An Obsession for Unity 219

Hans Gets Married 220

Health Problems 222

Unified Field Theory 223

Caputh 225

Woman Troubles 226

To America 228

An Offer He Couldn't Refuse 231

The Nazi Rise to Power 233

Last Visit with Eduard 235

Leaving Europe Forever 237

The Death of Ilse 238

More Deaths 239

15. A Desire for World Peace 241

A Call for Help 243

Prelude to the Atomic Bomb 246

Einstein Gets U.S. Citizenship and the United States Enters the War 247

Deteriorating Health 251

Mileva Dies 252

Maja Dies 254

The Formation of the State of Israel 254.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-290) and index.

ISBN:

1591020638

OCLC:

51177392