Book Description

Reviews (2)

The Stuart Queen Elizabeth
Recent English royal biographies, perhaps following the success of Fraser's "Mary Queen of Scots," remain fixated on the Tudor era, Elizabeth I in particular, with less frequent mention of Mary Tudor or Mary Stuart, and/or perhaps Henry's wives. The romance of the Stuart queens, however, didn't end with Mary Queen of Scots - it reached its apogee with her grandchild, Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. Married to the hapless Frederick, Elector Palatine, in 1619 she and her young family were brought to Prague as the newly elected (and Protestant) King and Queen following the deposition (defenestration, to be exact) of the previous Catholic regime. In power for little more than a few weeks, they were chased back into Germany after the disastrous Battle of the White Mountain, following which Elizabeth languished in exile in Holland for the best part of the next 40 years. Oran's 1930s bio is the standard work on Elizabeth - she pays particular attention to the life of a woman in the 17th century European court: hobbies, clothes, sports and the ubiquitous letter-writing. Elizabeth turned the damsel-in-distress cliche on its head, being a furious rider and outdoorswoman as well as a supple European politician and skilled linguist. Despite competition with the other women in the Stuart family (e.g., Charles I's and II's respective wives), it was Elizabeth's genes that won out - under the Act of Succession, every English monarch since 1713 has been required to prove an ancestral link to the Winter Queen. Classic biography and a useful bridge between Antonia Fraser's four Stuart books (Mary/James I/Gunpowder Plot/Royal Charles) and C.V. Wedgwood's numerous 17th century histories (e.g. Thirty Years War, Montrose).

The story of "Europe's grandmother"
Elizabeth, the daughter of King James VI of Scotland and I of England, was widely acclaimed as the most beautiful princess in Europe. Her hand was sought by many, but James selected the Protestant prince of a small German state, Frederick of the Palatine, to counterbalance the intended match of his eldest son with the Catholic royal daughter of either France or Spain. It would prove to be a true love match, as well as a political disaster.

This history follows the eventful life and tumultous times of Elizabeth of Bohemia, known as the Winter Queen for the brief duration of her husband's reign. The research is solid, the writing scholarly yet engagingly annecdotal. The narrative is particularly strong: settings are described with unusual care and color, and telling bits of cultural detail help evoke a sense of time and place.

The relationships between Elizabeth and her many family members are vividly drawn. Most poignant among these were her strong sibling attachment to her oldest brother Henry, her passionate but disappointing marriage to the moody Frederick, and the sense of betrayal she must have suffered when her father all but abandoned her. She survived war and endured exile -- not only from Bohemia and her husband's hereditary Palatine, but also from England. Neither James nor his successor Charles I acknowledged her as a queen, or permitted her to return to England.

Students of history might be interested in Elizabeth's descendents, which, in 1938, included the ruling sovereigns of Denmark, Great Britain, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Roumania, Sweden, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Italy. By any measure, this is an impressive family saga! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

'like you or me but smarter and better in all ways'
not to say that einstein wasn't exceptionally clever, but i found the tone of this book to be leaning a bit to far to the 'worship einstein as a minor deity' side of things. any potential cause to think less of old albert is glossed over in an unapealing way. the examples that come to mind are the minimal treatment that poincare's accomplishments regarding relativity recieve, and the minimal information on his divorces. i wish the authors had stepped down from the altar of the holy einstein long enough to give him a human treatment. even the title is a bit much. creator and rebel? it would be funny if it weren't sadly earnest.

An intimate, personal biography.
I have read several biographies of Einstein, some of which are among my list of all-time favorite books. None however, approach the intimacy or sense of personal connection as Hoffmann and Dukas' 1972 classic "Creator and Rebel." Perhaps because of Helen Dukas' influence, this book contains perhaps the most intimate look at the man and, thanks to Hoffmann, the one of the clearest explanations of his science. Though other biographies are also must-reads for Einstein devotees (Folsing and Frank, for instance), this one goes to the top of my list.

Insightful, but...
In the first chapter the author uses a meeting Albert Einstein had with Charlie Chaplan to criticize the way in which ordinary people have come to worship famous people. Yet a few pages later, page 14 to be exact, the author writes, "...considering little Albert was to become none other than Einstein..." Perhaps I interpreted this statement wrong, but it seems as if the author is falling into the very hero-worship that he attacked earlier. I don't know.

I am aware that Einstein had a certain philosophy regarding the correct way to write a biography, but this book was extremely dry. I was constantly reminded that I'm reading this for a physics class. Zzzz.....

Einstein by very close collaborators
Why is this book so good? Its first phrase is:"We sketch in this book the story of a profoundly simple man." This could be done only by friends. And friends the authors are. Banesh Hoffman, a collaborator of Einstein's, happens to be a great writer, possibly the best as books for the layman are concerned. Helen Dukas, the other author, was Einstein's secretary for many years. The book is very beautifully produced, full of nice photographs. Relativity is really explained. A labor of love which deserves much more popularity.

A tour-de-force of the revolutionary physics of 1900-1935
One cannot seperate the man from his work and this biography branches into other people who touched upon A. Einstein as well as his science. The incomparable simplicity of his brilliant thought is driven home in the discussion of AT-LAB and GRAV-LAB. The story may be known or not. It deserves good re-telling. This audio book is well done and special thanks to the reader who handles the math examples (less than a handful) with precise language, grace, and accuracy. My complaint is that the book is too short. I woud have liked more of the interaction with subject in his personal life. But still a solid 8. ... Read more

Book Description

Glitteringly detailed and engagingly written, the magisterial Elizabeth I brings to vivid life the golden age of sixteenth-century England and the uniquely fascinating monarch who presided over it. A woman of intellect and presence, Elizabeth was the object of extravagant adoration by her contemporaries. She firmly believed in the divine providence of her sovereignty and exercised supreme authority over the intrigue-laden Tudor court and Elizabethan England at large. Brilliant, mercurial, seductive, and maddening, an inspiration to artists and adventurers and the subject of vicious speculation over her choice not to marry, Elizabeth became the most powerful ruler of her time. Anne Somerset has immortalized her in this splendidly illuminating account. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Best Book on Elizabeth I
I've read almost a dozen books on the Tudors and this is the best on Elizabeth I. Although I usually get my doses of the Tudors from Alison Weir and Antonia Fraser, Anne Somerset has truly written and organized a beautiful book. An impressive work -- better than any other I've read on the world's greatest monarch.

A fascinating woman and savvy politician
Anne Somerset's biography on Queen Elizabeth I, was the first historical biography I had ever read. I became interested in finding out more about the famous red-haired monarch from the Hollywood version of her life, in the film "Elizabeth". I knew the film version had taken some license with the historical record, but I felt that the more accurate and less glamorous story about Elizabeth, the monarch, had to be interesting as well.

The story of Queen Elizabeth, both as a historical figure and a woman of 16th century England, is a interesting one and Anne Somerset makes it an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. She goes into great detail and has many annotations to support her statments about Elizabeth, yet at the same time, the reader doesn't feel as if she is reading a scholarly work. It was such a pleasure to read and I found it difficult to put down.

For those of you out there who are either intimidated by biographies and other books about historical figures, or think them dull, this is a great place to start your journey into these kinds of books.

Wanted More
The book is good, but not great. The author presents a good overview of Elizabeth while sometimes going into excruciating detail. There in lies the problem. Much of what I wanted to know more about: court intrigue and the supporting characters were often given short shrift. At the sametime, the author works very hard to maintain the "virgin queen" myth, often off handedly dismissing evidence for Elizabeth's affairs. The book also ends abruptly, telling us little about Queen Bess' last years.

On the plus side, the author does an excellent job explaining the queens religous views. Still, there are better biographies of this facinating subject to be read.

Great Book
I thought it was a little complicated at first but is a great young adult book

An excellent bio of Elizabeth and her complex world.
This book is not light-weight reading. It's quite thick at 575 pages of fine text. It does, however, cover extremely well Elizabeth's reign and puts many of her decisions in their social context.

The author has relied heavily on primary sources for this work and they give a "flavour" to the time Elizabeth lived in. You end up with a good feel for Elizabeth's mercurial personality. Her chronic indecisiveness and hatred of being forced into a decision. The mine-field of international politics, when phones and TV didn't exist. Second-guessing the opposition, or trying to prevent an opposition from forming.

For an in-depth view of Elizabeth's life, reign and era this book is up there at the top of the list, if you can take the time to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Volume 1 presents important new material on the young Einstein. Over half the documents made available here were discovered by the editors, including a significant group of over fifty letters that Einstein exchanged with Mileva Maric, his fellow student and future wife. These letters, together with other previously unpublished documents, provide an entirely new view of Einstein's youth. The documents in the volume also foreshadow the emergence of his extraordinary creative power. In them is manifested his intense commitment to scientific work and his interest in certain themes that proved to be central to his thinking during the next decade. We can follow, for example, the beginnings of his preoccupation with the electrodynamics of moving bodies that was to lead to the development of this special theory of relativity. For the first time it can be seen how closely he followed such contemporary developments in physics as Planck's work on radiation theory and Drude's work on the electron theory of metals. In addition to all of Einstein's known correspondence and other writings from this period, the volume includes the relevant portions of all third-party letters and other contemporary documents that provide additional information about his secondary schooling at the Aargau Cantonal School; his four years at the Swiss Federal Plytechnical School, or the ETH; and his search for a job after graduation. Included in the volume are those sections of an unpublished biography by Einstein's sister, Maja Winteler-Einstein, which deal with his early years; his extensive notes on a physics course he took at the ETH; and previously unpublished photographs of the young Einstein and his teachers and friends.

Documents in Volume 1 portray Einstein's experiences during the two stressful years after his graduation from the ETH in Zurich. Denied a position as an Assistant at the ETH, he lived a hand-to-mouth existence while he looked for a post at other universities; then he attempted to find a secondary-school post, and finally sought a nonacademic job. Tension with his parents over his plans to marry Mileva Maric is evident throughout this period. With the help of a friend, he finally found work at the Swiss Patent Office, the haven where he would spend the next seven years. Freed from his financial worries, he entered on one of the most productive periods of his life, as the next volume, Writings (1901-1910), will document.

Reviews (2)

The Einstein Gold (or God) Age
All the Einstein life is very intersting! For the 20st centuryworld life the 1900-1909 Einstein period is the apex of his scientificcontributions, specially for three papers: those about the Brownian Movement, the Photoelectric Effects and Eletromagnetic Effects when there is a referencial change. All three papers brought to ous news interpretations of those phenomena and revealed the Einstein interpretation capacity of visible and not-visible world. The paper about Photoelectric Effects presented a new quantum views of ligh and material interaction while the Eletromagnetic Effects showed the principles of Special Relativity, a theme that transverse the 20st century and arrive at 21st century without popular technology applications. This book brings a opened, stimulant, and helpful explanations - great lectures - about the principals Einstein ideas. Maybe this book is the first to point closely the life and thinking of a science men.

An extraordinary collection
Readers-

One might question why you might purchase a book such as this.Well the answer is quite simple.Logic.Now when I say logic I don't mean the logic of the words themselves rather the logic that youmight read such an impressive work.

Einstien was a genius in his time,a genius yet to be surpassed (in the authority of Science that is).Hisworks are timeless, classic examples of the scientific process and thisparticular is a well-balanced example.

Written during the years of the1910s this volume's works depict a dedication to science eventhrough thewar in Europe.

A Must Read!

Justin Smith ... Read more

Book Description

Although Einstein is celebrated as one of the most gifted scientific minds of the twentieth century for his tremendous contributions to our understanding of the world around us, little is known about the private life behind his legendary persona.How did Einstein spend his life when not engaged in scientific pursuits?What were his interests?What in Einstein's background and everyday life inspired his development as a scientist and as a person?In this unique contribution to the Einstein literature, physicist and acclaimed science writer Barry Parker draws on the great scientist's letters and personal papers to explore the intellectual and emotional drives that motivated both his work and his life.

In EINSTEIN: THE PASSIONS OF A SCIENTIST, Parker focuses on five aspects of Einstein's emotional nature that had a profound impact on his life and his career.First and foremost was his love of learning, not only in physics but also in mathematics and philosophy.This was manifested early on when he excelled at algebra.However, he did have his share of conflicts with some teachers whose dictatorial approach to instruction he believed was wrongheaded and stifling.In later life Einstein became utterly absorbed with philosophy.

Einstein's "second love" was classical music, especially the music of Mozart.Parker shows that listening to and playing music (he was an accomplished violinist) were not only recreations for Einstein but also provided stimulation for his scientific creativity.

His frequent turbulent relationships with women and his family also greatly shaped his character and his work.Parker examines the influence of Einstein's parents and their financial woes during his childhood, his sister, his two wives, his liaisons with other women, and his distant relationship with his two sons from his first marriage.

Another fascinating dimension of Einstein's character was his strong antiwar stance and his advocacy for peace.Einstein considered world government the only means to achieve global peace.Parker dedicates a chapter to Einstein's humanist beliefs and his efforts to promote the idea of a world government.

Finally, Parker considers Einstein's utter obsession with finding a unified theory of physics to explain all the forces of the universe, and his reluctance to accept the indeterminacy of quantum theory.In the opinion of some colleagues, this was a tragedy, for Einstein isolated himself from the rest of the scientific community during the latter part of his life to pursue a lone quest that remained unfulfilled at his death.

Containing scores of fascinating stories and amusing anecdotes, this is an original, insightful behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest geniuses of all time who did so much to shape our vision of the world.It will surely be of interest to anyone who wants to learn about the human side of this renowned scientist. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Einstein's Passions and Troublew
When most people think of Albert Einstein, they think only in terms of his older years. Parker's book takes the reader through his early years, some of which were quite stressful. Like most great musicians and artists he was quite poor when young. Also, his stubborness got him in trouble in school all the way through college. Parker's book is well written and depicts Einstein's trouble with things such as mathematics and having to write serveral theses for his doctorate before one was accepted. This book describes some of Albert's passions such as a love for physics, playing the violin, hiking, sailing and women.

An excellent read
I have just read "Einstein: The Passions of a Scientist" and found it to be most informative and entertaining. I have always been curious about Einstein, what kind of a person he was, what his interests were outside of science. Mr. Parker, in fine style, certainly answers those questions and more. He has a very arresting way of capturing Einstein's personality. Mr. Parker has a writing style that I find particularly easy to read and understand, a rare quality amongst science writers. Congratulations Mr. Parker for a book that not only held my complete attention throughout, but was also entertaining and educational. Geoff Pearson, Jacksonville, N.C.

"But I Know Mr. Einstein"
I recall when I was a kid reading a piece in the Reader's Digest about "Mrs. Einstein" being interviewed by the press. "Do you understand the theory of relativity, Mrs. Einstein?" a reporter is said to have asked. "No," she demurely if rather smugly replied, "but I understand Mr. Einstein." Ha! Author Barry Parker, in "Einstein, the Passions of a Scientist" blows her cover. This was a man whose passionate interests were not limited to whether space was curved, and it is unlikely that either his first wife or his second was aware of the scope of his love life. In his lively and informative biography of the greatest scientist of our age, Barry Parker brings the man alive with a fascinating look at his personal life, as well as his intellectual one. A great read.

Einstein Awakening
If you didn't know much about the personal side of Einstein you do now. The book was stimulating, and has enlightened us to the human side of his persona. From his marriages and love of woman to his love of classical music he comes alive once again. Without finding all the answers he search for in his physics pursuits, he had many other faucets that shed a new light on who he was as a man, and not just a brillliant scientist. Wonderful book!

Nice story, but very sloppy writing
This book provides some entertaining anecdotes about Einstein's life. I'm never certain as to how far one can trust such anecdotes, but they are fun to hear about anyway. However, this is one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. The typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors are rampant throughout the entire read. I wonder if there was no editor involved with the project whatsoever. For example, he writes at one point about a young woman named Suzanne, and within the same paragraph he mistakenly refers to her as Susan. The sentences are very poorly constructed, very redundant compositionally, and overall written as if from a sixth-grade point-of-view. The author's skill is clearly not a literary one, and he should have collaborated with a writer who knew what they were doing. The errors are so frequent, that it becomes difficult to trust what's written -- if you encountered a fact that seems puzzling, it is easy to brush it off as another typo. I was a bit embarrassed and insulted to find myself reading such low-level writing. But the book doesn't entirely fail, since it still leaves you with some nice feelings about Einstein. ... Read more

Book Description

Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) ruled England for 45 turbulent years, and her reign has come to be seen as a golden age. She exercised supreme authority in a man's world, while remaining intensely feminine. She was Gloriana, the Virgin Queen, but is also held up as a role model for company executives in the twenty-first century. She is a near-legendary figure from a remote past who remains fascinatingly modern.

This handsome volume has been published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Elizabeth I's death in 1603. It illustrates in color and, where possible, in actual size, sixty manuscripts--either by Elizabeth or to her. Each one is accompanied by a running commentary, explaining the document and placing it in its historical context, and selected transcriptions or, where necessary, translations from the originals.

Elizabeth was a girl of extraordinary precocity and a brilliant linguist. Her early letters, written in a beautiful italic, are to her forbidding father, Henry VIII, and to her brother and sister, Edward VI and "Bloody" Mary. The very first letter dates from when she was a child of eleven. The last, written nearly 60 years later, is a barely-legible scrawl addressed to her successor, the future James I. The letters from her in-tray are no less extraordinary. Tsar Ivan the Terrible rounds on her in a blind fury after she refuses to marry him. The Earl of Essex, young enough to be her son, pours out declarations of love: a few pages further on is to be found her signed warrant for his execution. There are letters from ministers and galley slaves, spies and traitors, coded letters, warrants for torture, speeches to parliament, and the original--only recently identified--of the most famous of all her utterances: "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king." ... Read more

Book Description

The world knows Albert Einstein as one of the greatest thinkers and scientists of all time. What's the Matter with Albert? introduces young readers to the life and character of this famous figure, telling his story from childhood through to the end of his life.

Seen through the eyes of a young boy sent to interview him for the school paper, Einstein vividly comes to life in these pages. The immediacy and gentle humor of Frieda Wishinsky's writing humanizes the subject. Not only do readers learn of the amazing accomplishments of a Nobel-prize-winning scientist, but they also find out that Albert Einstein was slow to learn to talk, sometimes temperamental, and a poor student. From his childhood and through to his great scientific achievements and work for peace in his adult life, a full portrait emerges.

This magical meeting will resonate with young readers, introducing them to Einstein the person, as well as Einstein the great scientist and teacher. Jacques Lamontagne's richly evocative artwork, based on archival photographs, transports the reader back in time to the periods and places where Einstein lived and grew up.

The introduction, Who Was Albert Einstein? helps give a clear understanding of the incredible impact of Albert Einstein's ideas, which revolutionized the way we see the world. A straightforward chronology at the end of the book rounds out Einstein's story, highlighting the important events in his life and giving a comprehensive summary of his achievements. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Loved it!
I loved "What's the Matter with Albert?" I bought it as a gift for my 7 year old granddaughter Lauren, who loves to read. Before giving any book to her, I always make sure to read it first, so we can have phone discussions about it. (I am a long-distance grandma and she lives 3000 miles away.) This book was an excellent choice because of the lessons it will teach her.

I loved the way Billy found the courage to face his fears and conquer the challenge of interviewing a genius like Albert Einstein. I liked that it shows that it's okay to daydream, to think about life in a different way than the people around us think, and that if you face your fears, you can accomplish many things in life. There will always be people who feel that because someone thinks "outside of the box" or appears absent-minded, something is wrong with us.

I loved the childlike style of Billy's four questions and that the answers were actually in Einstein's own words. And I thought it was a good lesson to show that Billy was able to do further research and write another story on his own once Albert Einstein 'opened the door' to Billy's quest for knowledge.

This story will teach my granddaughter that our imagination is what makes us unique, that once you take the first step and just do your very best, you can accomplish great things, in spite of your fears.

On a personal level, I think I related to this story because as a child, I always felt "different" and didn't look at things in the same way as other kids did. I was a daydreamer, couldn't concentrate in school and often got into trouble because my mind wandered.

I wish I had been able to read this book when I was young - I'm sure it would have made me feel that it was okay to look at things differently, to ask questions, to always be curious. (I'm a cookbook author today, so I guess I succeeded in spite of myself!)

Thanks to the author for a wonderful book! I also loved the illustrations and the way they were integrated into the story. They remind me of Norman Rockwell's artistic style. Well done!

Norene Gilletz

Who would have known?
What a great book! The title and the Norman Rockwell like illustration of Eistein immediately caught my attention. What's The Matter With Albert? Who would have thought that this famous scientist, this amazing genious of the 20th century would have anything the matter with him. I loved the way the author tells us about all the struggles and difficulties the young Albert Einstein had as a student. I always figured the guy sailed through school, and that he likely graduated by age 12 and was then courted by major universities around the world. But no, Albert was asked to leave his school!
I thought this book shared some fascinating facts about Einstein's life in a cute and unintimidating way - a fictional character's (a cub reporter with the Princeton Elementary School News) interview with Albert Einstein. At the end of the interview the young reporter asks Albert four more questions. My favorite, and I hope the author doesn't mind me sharing this one, is "What makes you think up all those great ideas?" I loved Einstein's answer - "I use my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world". There are several great quotes from Einstein in the book.
I bought this book for two of my 8 year old nephews. I hope they will have as much fun reading it as I did and will be encouraged to let their imaginations fly and take them to all sorts of interesting thoughts and places.

Einstein -- A Child's View
In her wonderful new book, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH ALBERT? A STORY OF ALBERT EINSTEIN, author Frieda Wishinsky brings the Nobel Prize-winning scientist to life for young readers.

Billy, a shy young reporter for the school newspaper goes to interview Einstein to find out what he was like as a child. To his surprise, the great genius had lots of problems when he was a boy. Any child who has ever felt shy, inadequate or less than a star will relate to the young Einstein, who was late to talk, not a star in school, and subject to bursts of bad temper.

Wishinsky's style invites the reader to explore Einstein's world in a variety of interesting ways. These include the text of his final report on Einstein "When he Grew Up," a timeline of the important dates in his life and an excerpt from Billy's notebook, with answers in Einstein's actual words. For example, to the question "Why don't you wear socks?'", Einstein asnwers "When I was young I found out that the big toe always ends up making a hole in the sock. So I stopped wearing socks."

Children will find the man and the story irresistable. Told in clear, engaging prose and dialogue, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH ALBERT EINSTEIN? will delight all young readers. Jaques Lamontagne's illustrations of Einstein at different periods of his life will round out the familiar image of the frizzy-haired genius.

Frieda Wishinsky has added to the long list of books about Albert Einstein one that truly makes him accessible, and that will be treasured by children of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

"Women must try to do things as men have tried. "

When she was eight years old, Amelia Earhart built a roller coaster and "flew" through the air.She loved to watch daredevil pilots fly loops in the sky.Amelia decided to pilot a plane herself, and became one of the first women to learn to fly.She broke flight records and in 1932 was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.The whole world admired her courage and daring.Amelia Earhart disappeared while trying to set a new record flying all the way around the world at the equator, but her pioneer spirit inspired many others to follow in her path. ... Read more

Book Description

These true-life tales of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, based on the remembrances of her sister Pidge, will inspire and thrill young readers. Kids will cheer as Amelia rescues two neighbor boys from an angry dog and when she builds her own "rolly coaster" off the roof of her grandparents' shed. Amelia's fascination at seeing her first airplane, as well as her curiosity, courage, and determination to learn, will make this portrayal of an American heroine a favorite of both children and adults. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A great book
Amelia Earhart is a very good book. I think every child ages 9 - 12 should read Amelia Earhart because it teaches them to do what you want to do. Amelia's dad was trying to stop her but Amelia said it was her dream to fly. Amelia always liked to see the airplanes take off to fly. I think Amelia Earhart is a very excellent book.

I enjoyed reading this wonderful story about Amelia Earhart.
Once I started reading this book, I had a hard time putting it down. I thought this was a super book and I can't wait to read more of the "Young Patriots Series." I highly recommend this book to kids my own age (10 years old).

Brittani Castle

Entertaining and inspiring
Amelia Earhart, Young Air Pioneer is well written, delightful and nicely illustrated. A geat read for both boys and girls, ages 8-12, and sure to entertain and inspire. ... Read more

Book Description

The philosophy of religion and the quest for spiritual truth preoccupied Albert Einstein--so much that it has been said "one might suspect he was a disguised theologian." Nevertheless, the literature on the life and work of Einstein, extensive as it is, does not provide an adequate account of his religious conception and sentiments. Only fragmentarily known, Einstein's ideas about religion have been often distorted both by atheists and by religious groups eager to claim him as one of their own. But what exactly was Einstein's religious credo? In this fascinating book, the distinguished physicist and philosopher Max Jammer offers an unbiased and well-documented answer to this question.

The book begins with a discussion of Einstein's childhood religious education and the religious atmosphere--or its absence--among his family and friends. It then reconstructs, step by step, the intellectual development that led Einstein to the conceptions of a cosmic religion and an impersonal God, akin to "the God of Spinoza." Jammer explores Einstein's writings and lectures on religion and its role in society, and how far they have been accepted by the general public and by professional theologians like Paul Tillich or Frederick Ferré. He also analyzes the precise meaning of Einstein's famous dictum "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind," and why this statement can serve as an epitome of Einstein's philosophy of religion.

The last chapter deals with the controversial question of whether Einstein's scientific work, and in particular his theory of relativity, has theologically significant implications, a problem important for those who are interested in the relation between science and religion. Both thought-provoking and engaging, this book aims to introduce readers, without proselytizing, to Einstein's religion. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Excellent discussion of an impersonal God
Three chapters: two for the everyman and one for the brave physicist/mathematician. The first two chapters are an excellent discourse on a Universal and Logical but impersonal God, the creator of the Universe. Well worth reading for those confused by the inconsistencies in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Places forgiveness, ethics and morality squarely on the shoulders of the individual. And chapter three really nails it down even though it required six reads for this mathematician.

Einstein, Bohr and determinism.
This book explains clearly what Einstein thought about God and religion.
I quote the author: "A God who rewards and punishes is inconceivable to him for the single reason that a man's actions are determined by necessity, external and internal, so that in God's eyes he cannot be responsable, any more than an inanimate object is rsponsible for the motion it undergoes".
For Einstein the demon of Laplace was all too real. He believed in total determinism. For him there was no free will. I quote Einstein: "I do not at all believe in human freedom in the philosophical sense. Everybody acts not only under external compulsion but also in accordance with inner necessity. Schopenhauer's saying, 'A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants,' has been a real inspiration to me since my youth."
This stance by one of the most brilliant scientists ever is, for me, unbelievable. It had a profound influence on his later scientific work, where he tried in vain to refute quantum mechanics. He knew too well, as Bohr stated, that quantum mechanics gives free will a new background against the mechanical concept of nature.
On the other hand, could Einstein's stance be an excuse for his not so high standard moral behaviour when he was a young man?

The last part of the book "Physics and theology" is only for theologians. It reminds me of the stubborn fight of Paul Davies in his book 'The mind of God' to find a place for God in modern physics and the quantum universe. Davies only found ... mysticism as a solace for the faithful.
A revealing book.

A Scholarly Description of Einstein's Religious Philosophy
In the first chapter that deals with Einstein's personal attitude toward religion, we learn the followings: Einstein regarded science and religion as mutually depending on each other, which is evidenced by his words, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." However, the predominant motivations that led him to his development of the theory of relativity were purely physical considerations. Like Spinoza, Einstein denied the existence of a personal God, and used the term "cosmic religious feeling" to describe the sublimity and marvelous order in nature.

Near the end of the first chapter, the author asks a question, "Did Einstein's conception of religion affect his scientific work?" and derives a positive answer. The story that Einstein's introduction of the cosmological constant was religiously motivated concludes the chapter.

The second chapter discusses what Einstein has written about the nature of religion and its role in human society. Einstein's "Credo" about the cosmic religious feeling is cited repeatedly. In his essay read at a conference held in 1940, Einstein called the doctrine of a personal God not only unworthy but also fatal. The author writes about many responses Einstein got in reaction to this essay. At the end of this chapter the author analyzes Spinoza's role in the development of Einstein's religious philosophy.

As can be seen from the above, topics given in the first two chapters are quite attractive, and explanations are instructive to the reader who has interest in the mental background of Einstein's academic work. The scholarly style of the author's writing is enjoyable.

However, the third and final chapter that studies the influence of Einstein's scientific work on theology was not interesting to me at all. After finishing the book, I read Introduction section of the book again. To my great relief, I found the following words of the author near its end: "It is possible that [Einstein] would have rejected all of the arguments in chapter 3 if he were alive." The reason why I was not interested in the final chapter was that my thought about religion was the same as Einstein's!

Thus I recommend the first two chapters to all those who have interest in Einstein or religion, but do not recommend the third chapter for those who think like Einstein.

Einstein was a romantic naturalist
This books digs to the core of Einstein's views on God and Religion. While Einstein (like most intelligent people) did not believe in a personal God, he did have an almost religious mysticism. What he would call 'God' would be more in accord with Spinoza's God or the natural force. In regards to a personal God, Einstein made his position clear:

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." [Albert Einstein, 1954, from "Albert Einstein: The Human Side", edited by Helen Dukas and Banesh Hoffman, Princeton University Press] "

Einstein and Religion
I bought this book because the title intrigued me. Like so many people, I had assumed Einstein had been an atheist. I have to admit to little previous knowledge of the man beyond his theory of relativity and a few charming stories about his eccentricities, many probably apocryphal. This book certainly provided a nice introduction to the man as human being, intellectual, and philosopher.

One of the most impressive facets of Einstein's life made obvious in Professor Jammer's work was the impact the physicist's pronouncements, even on subjects outside of his professional expertise, had upon the public in general. It was apparent from some of his personal correspondence and from news articles in response to his papers on science and religion that the general public held the man in considerable esteem. There seemed an almost awed reverence for his intellect to the extent that his personal position on a topic as emotional and as arbitrarily individual as religion could assume an almost scientific finality, eliciting the commendations of those who agreed and an almost knee jerk response from those who disagreed. Few remained without an opinion. So potent were Einstein's mere personal, albeit well schooled, philosophical opinions that they could elicit outright attack from those who felt their cherished beliefs were under siege. A theologian as eminent as Dr. Fulton Sheen (later Bishop Sheen) attacked his position on the existence of a personal god as the "sheerest kind of stupidity and nonsense." While a private individual wrote to him suggesting he "take your crazy, fallacious theory of evolution [sic] and go back to Germany where you came from, or stop trying to break down the faith of a people who gave you a welcome...."

It becomes evident when one reads some of Jammer's biographical material on Einstein that the man's impact on the people of his day lay in his character. His honesty, simplicity, and wit, for example, lent him an approachability and charm. His intellectual independence and courage in the face of the opinions of others made him both worthy of admiration and a formidable adversary, almost impervious to criticism. (When one of the propositions arising from his theory was proven correct by experimental results, he was asked what he would have said it hadn't been. His reply was that he would feel sorry for God, because the theory was correct.)

Professor Jammer seems never to tire of repeating Einstein's dictum, "Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind," as though it could somehow make Einstein's position on the subject clearer for the reader. However, much of his supporting documentation, while interesting, leaves one with a nagging feeling that one is no closer to Einstein's sense of religion than one started. In fact one is left with the sense that for Einstein the mere sense of awe over the majesty of the universe and its workings was all the "religion" he needed. He required no formal institutions, no religious acts other than being true to his intellectual curiosity, had no missionary zeal to convert others to his position, and was without a personal need for immortality. If he was asked about the subject of religion he responded with customary honesty; if his response made the asker uncomfortable, that was their problem.

Probably the most interesting part of the book is the final chapter. Here, the subject of Einstein on religion is transposed to religion on Einstein (or at least on his theory of relativity.) Jammer's final chapter deals with some of the more amazing attempts by physicists and theologians to elucidate the existence and character of God by means of physics, in particular by means of the theory of relativity. It certainly casts in high relief the impact of the man on modern day religious thought.

The last chapter also contains philosophical and theological outgrowths of the theory of quantum physics and some of its more esoteric premises. It also looks at the theological implications of the Big Bang theory of cosmology, and mentions the books comparing Eastern religion and quantum theory that were so popular in the late 70s and early 80s (The Tao of Physics and The Dancing Wu-Li Masters among them). As a mental exercise, Jammer tries to analyze what Einstein might have thought about each of these concepts, and generally believes he would have cast a resounding "NO" vote. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An Informative Book
This book is very informative. It is a great way to find information about Albert Einstein. I wrote a wonderful report using the information in this book. It explains his theorys of relativity in a simple understandable way.

Inspiring introduction to Einstein's Genius
Mc Pherson's well written biography of Einstein is sure to please young readers in their quest for knowledge. Its photographs are excellent in content and placement, and the text is superb. A must-read for anyone withchildren who wants them to appreciate this great man, deemed TIME's"Person of the Century" ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The best book on QEI
Although hardly a year goes by without someone new coming up with another biography on Queen Elizabeth I, this probably is the best of the lot. Many of the subsequent volumes that have appeared after Neale generally owe him a debt of gratitude at least for assembling the basic facts of the life of the Virgin Queen.

Elizabeth's life has been told many times, her parents, Henry VIII and Anne Bolyn's ill-fated marriage, imprisionment during the reigns of both siblings, Thomas Seymour (whose sister replaced her mother in Henry's bed-would any soap opera try this plot twist?), Thomas Wyatt, William Cecil, Robert Dudley, Mary Queen of Scotts, the Spanish Armada, Shakespeare, and Gloriana. What Neale does quite well is to provide some real insight into the life of this the best of Britain's rulers and to place her actions in context. Some might think that Neale's treatment is too positive, I think the tone of the book is consistent with the greatness of this woman who, unlike her modern day namesake, ruled as well as reigned.

Worshipping at the feet of Gloriana
J.E. Neale, Elizabeth I's most famous modern biographer, is not an author who is easy to read for the modern scholar or anybody who regards the Virgin Queen as anything short of a goddess. His style of history has vanished, I'm glad to say. His worship of Elizabeth and his nationalistic biases make this a very tough read and not a very worthwhile one. Anne Somerset's modern biography would be a better use of the reader's time.

Queen Elizabeth did reign!
After having read everything I could get my hands on about Elizabethan England reading this book was very refreshing. Delving into the social and political realm of Queen Regina is what this book is all about. Well written and easy to read it gives a new perspective on the trials and tribulations of a very courageous and smart lady.

The Virgin Seductress
Every single one of Elizabeth's biographers (particularly the male ones) seem to have fallen in love with her, and this, the epic Bess bio, is the most unashamedly gushing. Part of the reason for Elizabeth's enduring appeal is that she combined good looks and dress sense with a flair for self-invention (and re-invention) - the very same qualities which still endear Onassis-Kennedy and Diana Spencer to their legions of mourners. As a politician Elizabeth's achievements approached genius, but any sympathetic biographer still has to paper over the cracks somewhat when we get to her reliigious policy, particularly the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. Since this biography was written at a time where many Englishmen were still riding the Imperial wave, there is a tendency to forgive the Virgin Queen on matters such as this, but this work remains a milestone.

Quite Interesting
I just find it really interesting the Sir John Neale (the author of this book) was able to write a personal review for Queen Elizabeth I after having passed away some 24 odd years ago. Neat trick... Anyways, very interesting book, although it does have a tendency to be slow in spots. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Learn about Eisenhower the man
Recently I went and toured the Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. It was a facinating tour (Given by Ike's personal physician and family friend) and when it was over I asked the gentleman what book I should read to learn more about Eisenhower. He recommended this one and a fine recommendation it was.

One nice thing about Eisenhower is he had a gift for story telling and he puts that gift to good use here. You discover when reading his books that they have a very comfortable feel to them. No dry read here. Eisenhower had a real talent for writing (He didn't use a ghost writer but wrote his books completely on his own) and you come away with a better appreciation of the man's intelligence and strong wit.

I was also surprised in the book at how much candor Ike shows. One half expects when reading a book like this you would get a lot of political stories or things to try and justify some of his political choices while President but that is not the case. It really is a book that the title says it is. Personal stories that Ike liked to tell his friends. The result is we get a nice look at the man. Not General or President Eisenhower but the man himself looking back at his life as a soldier, husband and father.

One note on this book. WW II is only lightly covered in this. Eisenhower covers that subject in "Crusade in Europe" which I also recommend.

If you're are interested in learning more about Ike and his life, this is a great place to start.

An informal journey thru Eisenhower's remarkable life
told by Ike himself. He demonstrates a personal touch in this book. It is very different from "Crusade in Europe" & "Eisen-
hower at War" in that he treads very lightly on World War II. It is told the way he wanted to thru mostly humorous stories. It is told without pomposity or the self-serving justifications you find in many autobiographies. Documentation not required here. He covers events in his life that Stephen Ambrose choose to edit in his fine one volume version of Ike's life.
There are stories told in "At Ease" that may not ever be told elsewhere that Ike himself enjoyed. This is an old man talking about events from his youth. Nobody can gaurantee they are 100% accurate & Ike admits as much in the book's preface. It is still an enjoyable book by a great man.

Ike, a great story teller !!
"At Ease" is a great compliment to Ike's "Crusade in Europe." In "At Ease", Ike describes his pre-WW2 years in the Army adding many colorful stories. My favorite stories were of the years George Patton and Ike spent in the 1920's researching the tank's future in war. Eisenhower had a interesting career as a mid-level officer including many assignments to football teams as a coach. Most interesting are his tales of his assignment in Panama, which were to have a significant affect on his career.

Ike leaves most of his WW2 stories to be told in "Crusade in Europe." In "At Ease" he covers in depth his career after WW2 and the plans Maime and Ike had for life after the Army. This work goes right up until the key role Ike played in the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Orginization defense force. Although Ike doesn't say much about the Presidency, he describes many of the reasons why he would end up later accepting the nomination in 1952.

"At Ease" is a very enjoyable collection of stories for anyone wishing to know more about the famous 5-star General and President, as well as his contemporaries. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Intersection of politics with gender
"I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have th heart and stomach of a King" - Elizabeth I

This quote from Elizabeth I says a lot about this book. Professor Carole Levin examines how Elizabeth I was able to use her role as a woman (where traditionally, the public viewed women as incapable, weak, dependant) to her advantage and at the same time she ruled like a "King". Levin also examined how Elizabeth was so successful in her reign and at the same time, she was not the typical "woman" of her time; she was childless, and unmarried. She portrayed herself as a "Virgin Queen" - as in she was married to her country.

It is important to note that this is not a biography of Elizabeth I but a book that gives a new perspective of Elizabeth I, that helps us to understand the overlapping of politics with gender and sexuality. Levin did an excellent job in using unconventional sources such as gossips, rumors, religious works, diplomatic correspondence that makes it a distinctive scholarly work. This book is also very easy to read, and even if you don't have a substantial backgroup in pre-modern European history, you will not have a problem in reading this book

Elizabeth Rocks--An Accessible Academic Work
This is a beautifully researched, well written, thought provoking study of how one of the most interesting and powerful women in history negotiated gender restrictions during her 45 year reign. Not just a standard biography, "Heart and Stomach" looks carefully at Elizabeth's use of gender perceptions and roles to present herself as the great queen that she was. I've used this book as a text in the classroom and I've recommended it to readers and scholars who are interested in all things Renaissance and in women's history. It's always a hit!

From an Elizabethan expert....
Carole Levin's study of Elizabeth I is unprecedented. This study not only gives readers who are unfamiliar with Elizabeth an idea of her life and desires, but it is explicates the problems behind a woman being a monarch in her own right in 16th century England. If one is interested in both English Monarchy and Women's Studies, this study will be enjoyed.

Intriguing look at E's leadership style and politics
If you are intrigued by the life and reign of Elizabeth I, you will enjoy this book, whether you agree with all the author's conclusions or not. She gives some interesting insights to the challenges Elizabeth faced as a female monarch and describes how Elizabeth both compensated for her femininity and used it to her advantage during her reign. You will also get a taste of how Elizabethan culture affected the politics of her reign. The book takes an academic approach but is very readable by a layperson. I gave it a 7 only because it slows down in places and I think the author is reaching in making some of the connections between gender and politics that she does. But overall, interesting insights to Elizabeth as leader. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Poorly executed, a bit hard to follow
This book was not well edited. I was amazed that a man with Brimacombe's credentials had such poor grammar. Also, refers to one of the "Queen's Men" as Anthony on one page and Arthur the next. How did the editor miss that? Brimacombe's skipping around would be a little difficult to follow for someone with no previous knowledge of Elizabeth I. The only reason I did not discontinue reading this book was that there were enough new tidbits here and there to keep me interested, however, for one new to the subject, there are many better books out there.

All the Queen's Men
All the Queen's Men provides a wealth of knowledge about Elizabeth 1, and also about the men that helped her to become one of the greatest queens in England's history. For example, Elizabeth's Privy Council was filled with many intelligent and capable people. One of these people was William Cecil, who was an extremely hard-working Secretary of State. Under Elizabeth's reign, she surrounded herself with men of knowledge. But, she also appreciated the arts. Many artists and writers evolved during the Elizabethan rule. One of the most historical writers during this time was William Shakespeare who wrote plays like Romeo and Juliet. Through her entire life, Elizabeth 1 had men surrounding her. But she never picked one for the most important positions in her life to be filled by a man, her husband. She had an extensive string of suitors, but never settled down with one. Among these suitors were Philip of Spain, Charles the Archduke of Austria, and Henry the Duke of Anjou. Overall, this is a very well written book. It contains many relevant illustrations that help you while you are reading. All the Queens Men will delight anyone who is interested in the Elizabethan era.

One of the best...
I have one of the earlier editions of this book... if you are studying Elizabeth I or are simply interested in reading a chronological account of the "Who's Who" of Elizabeth's court and courtiers, this is the book for you. If you're bent runs to historical costuming for the Elizabethan era, this is also the book for you. For the costumers: this book contains more source material (by means of portrait reproduction) than you can imagine or shake a stick at. I used this book not only for historical research, but as a costuming reference as well until I found Janet Arnold's book "Patterns of Fashion." The print plates (and there are A LOT of them) are both in color and b/w in my edition. The book is incredibly well researched and written... very little in it could be considered dry. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a page turner, but after almost 20 years with this book in my library I still use it as a reference... it's THAT good... I HIGHLY recommend it!!

Nothing really new
Looked forward to this book with great anticipation, but was rather disappointed. Many of the stories in the book, especially in the courtiers and statesmen chapters, were very familiar to me, having read them elsewhere. I'd recommend, instead, a book by Neville Williams with the same name (All the Queen's Men), if you can find a copy (currently out of print). The most interesting personalities of the period are examined in greater depth and the book is better illustrated than Brimacombe's.

A fabulous research source
I work at Renaissance faires and do historical reenactment and this book is invaluable! A close look at the powerful men surrounding Elizabeth I throughout her reign, this book is great for character work and inter-court relationships. Also a great costume resource. Wonderful portraits often the lesser known and harder to find men and women of the later 1500's. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Elizabethan Era. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Interesting book -BUT...
...Interesting book, worth to read by anyone who is seriously interested in Amelia Earhart's fate, but alas too much incorrect in many details, both technical and historical, so probably cannot be recommended for "unprepared" reader. Some claims are controversial, some picture captions are doubtful or just wrong, some statements in text are factually guesses without factual support etc. Especially sad is this repeating of old bizarre rumor about some alleged connection as if existed between Amelia Earhart and Japanese wartime broadcaster "Tokyo Rose" - pure myth that was debunked on a strict factual base since long ago. The book certainly includes some interesting material, but the biggest problem is to separate it from guesses and allegations of different kinds.

A Daredevil or War Hero? New Evidence of Latter Role for AE
It is said to have taken Randall Brink a decade to research the information he presents in his 183 pages of text. "Lost Star" is a magnificant example of dogged, never-say-die investigative reporting.

To get at many of the government files, written in the pre-computer era,the author had to describe what he wanted exactly; get a date or memo titlewrong, and the government wouldn't even acknowledge its existance. Muchless give him the item.

Brink should be commended for tracking downelderly ex-Lockheed employees before their deaths: they confirm that theplane AE took off in for her final world trip, was not the same aircraftshe'd purchased.

The author and his sources give compelling evidencethat instead of a silly publicity stunt, this world tour was actually a spytrip -- an allegation that neither the U.S. nor Japanese governments willacknowledge. What happened to Earhart -- was she one of the Tokyo Rosebroadcasters? did she return to the U.S. after the war under a newidentity? -- still remains a mystery, but Brink breaks through much of themyth.

I only wish that he could have completely solved the case so thatif her spy mission role was confirmed, AE and Fred Noonan could be accordedthe honors that are normally given towar heroes. After all, they wouldhave been our first casualties for WWII -- even in 1937, FDR'sadministration knew it was coming, and apparently had them map unchartedAfrican territory as well as check on Japanese military movement.

Thisbook isa triumph and must reading for any Earhart fan, flying enthusiast,history buff or feminist who admires the spirit of this fearless femaleflyer.

Errors in Lost Star
On page 108 the author cites two conflicting top airspeeds for Earhart's airplane - 240 and 220 mph. On page 174 the author say storage and mondifications of Earhart's airplane took place at Alameda Naval AirStation, but in 1937 Alameda Naval Air Station did not exist. It was openedin late 1940.

Excellent follow-on to Joe Klass' AE book
This is the most recent in the line of books presenting the mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.It is very readable and presents substantial new information that points toward the conclusion that AE didnot perish during her flight around the world attempt in 1937.The fijnalchapter in this episode remains to be written, but this represents anexcellent review of the information at this time.

Great follow-on to Joe Klaas' book about AE
Absolutely fantastic follow-on to the 1970 book on the same subject written by Joe Klaas.If you like conspiracies, this is a good one.Much material recently made available thru "Freedom of Information" and elswhere.Very readable, and even accurate relating to technicaldetails.We are probably destined to never learnthe final disposition ofAE, but this book goes a long way toward answering questions relating tothis.A 'must read' if your interest lies in this direction. ... Read more