Einstein: A Hundred Years of Relativity

In 1905, an unknown 26-year-old patent clerk in Switzerland formulated two of the most revolutionary scientific concepts of the twentieth century, relativity and quantum theory, and unveiled the most famous equation in science, E=mc2. Albert Einstein's work in that miraculous year overthrew the prevailing Newtonian worldview, and forever altered our understanding of space, time, energy, matter, and light. Einstein's universal appeal is only partially explained by his brilliant work in physics, as Andrew Robinson shows in this authoritative, accessible illustrated biography. The book presents clearly the beautiful simplicity at the heart of Einstein's greatest discoveries, and explains how his ideas have continued to influence scientific developments. It also discusses his life and activities outside of science, including encounters with famous contemporaries, his love of music, and his troubled family life. The main narrative is augmented by eleven essays written by scientists and scholars, and Einstein's own voice is present throughout in the form of extracts from his writings and speeches, including his own account of his intellectual development. This book is published in association with the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and draws upon this exceptional resource of Einstein's private papers and personal photographs.