Letters to Solovine, 1906-1955

By Albert Einstein

Book Overview

A provocative collection of letters to his longtime friend and translator that spans Einstein's career and reveals the inner thoughts and daily life of a transformative genius

From their early days as tutor and scholar discussing philosophy over Spartan dinners to their work together to publish Einstein's books in Europe, in Maurice Solovine, Albert Einstein found both an engaged mind and a loyal friend. While Einstein frequently shared his observations on science, politics, philosophy, and religion in his correspondence with Solovine, he was just as likely to express his feelings about everyday life--his health and the effects of aging and his experiences in the various places where he settled and visited in his long career. The letters are both funny and frank, and taken together, reflect the changes--large and small--that took place over a half century and in the remarkable life of the world's foremost scientist. Published in English alongside the German text and accompanied by facsimile copies of the original letters, the collected Letters to Solovine offers scholar and interested reader alike unprecedented access to the personal life of Albert Einstein. This authorized book features a new introduction by Neil Berger, PhD, and an illustrated biography of Albert Einstein, which includes rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1453204881
• ISBN13: 9781453204887
• Release Date: October 2015
• Publisher: Philosophical Library/Open Road
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Insights into Einstein's heart and soul

Maurice Solovine explains in his introduction to this book how he came to meet Albert Einstein in Berne, when he was teaching physics for three francs an hour. At their first meeting, Solovine explained that he was "studying philosophy, but wanted to delve into physics so as to acquire a thorough understanding of nature". On the third day of their meetings, Einstein told Solovine, "As a matter of fact, you don't have to be tutored in physics; our discussion of problems that stem from it is much more interesting. Just come to see me and I will be glad to talk with you." Thus began the long friendship of Maurice Solovine and Albert Einstein -- and this book is a compilation of many letters from Einstein to Solovine, with photocopies of the German originals and translations to English following. While physicists may be somewhat disappointed to find that these letters to Solovine contain very little discussion of physics, most fans of Einstein will be enchanted to see him express his feelings about his family, his work, his peers, and politics.