My Einstein
Essays by Twenty-four of the World's Leading Thinkers on the Man, His Work, and His Legacy
Edited by John Brockman
Category: Science - History; Science - Physics; Science - Essays
288 pages
Publisher: Pantheon
ISBN: 978-0-375-42345-1 (0-375-42345-1)
Pub Date: July 25, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Albert Einstein’s bold mark on our understanding of the world, which has persisted now for more than a century, shows no sign of fading. On the contrary, Einstein and his work promise to inspire, enlighten, and confound us for decades—indeed, for centuries—to come. In this fascinating volume, today’s foremost scientists discuss their own versions and visions of Einstein: how he has influenced their worldviews, their ideas, their science, and their professional and personal lives. These twenty-four essays are a testament to the power of scientific legacy and are essential reading for scientist and layperson alike. Contributors include: • Roger Highfield on the Einstein myth • John Archibald Wheeler on his meetings with Einstein • Gino C. Segrè, Lee Smolin, and Anton Zeilinger on Einstein’s difficulties with quantum theory • Leon M. Lederman on the special theory of relativity • Frank J. Tipler on why Einstein should be seen as a scientific reactionary rather than a scientific revolutionary Back to top | e-mail or print this page Review Quotes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Albert Einstein created the modern image of the scientist both in touch with the most esoteric mysteries of the universe and concerned about the human condition. Einstein was undoubtedly the twentieth century’s scientist superhero.” —Lawrence M. Krauss, professor of physics and astronomy, Case Western Reserve University “Once, needing suspenders for a tuxedo, I went shopping and found a limited choice of patterns: boring geometric, Marilyn Monroe, and Albert Einstein. After much thought, I settled on the last.” —George F. Smoot, experimental astrophysicist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory “My Einstein was not intimidated by the size and complexity of the universe but summoned the courage and imagination to attempt to elicit its mysteries, even if its expansion was the greatest discovery he never made.” —Rocky Kolb, director, Particle Astrophysics Center, Fermilab