4 ms·

I use this post to ask a question I just had a bit before: can anyone recommend me an Einstein's biography?

by amunozo 2y ago

sturza 2y ago
Walter Isaacson’s.
- prof-dr-ir 2y ago
  And Abraham Pais' if you know physics.
  - guerrilla 2y ago
    How much physics? Is undergrad enough or do you need to actually know GR?
    - prof-dr-ir 2y ago
      The more you know, the more fun the book is. At times the going is tough even if you are a physics professor, because Pais accurately captures the process of discovery which was often messy with unfamiliar equations, strange logical jumps, or subtle mistakes. I would not recommend the book unless you have taken courses in quantum mechanics, statistical physics and general relativity. (Historically quantum mechanics and statistical physics were developed together, even though now we see one as more fundamental than the other.)
- rs_rs_rs_rs_rs 2y ago
  I really thought you were joking, will buy this.
gradschoolfail 2y ago
I recommend the closest thing to an autobiography, The travel diaries of Albert Einstein https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174419/the-travel-diaries-of-albert-einstein https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174419/th...
- amunozo 2y ago
  This looks like something I would really enjoy, thank you!
alberto_ol 2y ago
If you want a scientific biography, "Subtle is the Lord" by Abraham Pais, but you need a degree in physics to understand many chapters (unfortunately for me a degree in engineering was not enough). Abraham Pais wrote also "Einstein Lived Here" a non-scientific biography, but I did not read it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_is_the_Lord https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_is_the_Lord
- amunozo 2y ago
  I actually have a degree in Physics but I am not sure it is what I want (I don't remember much :D). But I will take a look. Thanks a lot for both recommendations!
udev4096 2y ago
You should watch season one of "Genius" (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5673782/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5673782/) docuseries which is quite an accurate life events (professional as well as personal) of Einstein
rottc0dd 2y ago
Not a biography but I like Einstein's book "Evolution of physics". It is supposed to be popular scifi book, and covers same topics as high school physics for layman. But, it is still good to hear his perspective: https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Physics-Albert-Einstein/dp/0671201565 https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Physics-Albert-Einstein/dp/...

I use this post to ask a question I just had a bit before: can anyone recommend me an Einstein's biography?

sturza 2y ago

Walter Isaacson’s.

prof-dr-ir 2y ago
And Abraham Pais' if you know physics.
- guerrilla 2y ago
  How much physics? Is undergrad enough or do you need to actually know GR?
  - prof-dr-ir 2y ago
    The more you know, the more fun the book is. At times the going is tough even if you are a physics professor, because Pais accurately captures the process of discovery which was often messy with unfamiliar equations, strange logical jumps, or subtle mistakes. I would not recommend the book unless you have taken courses in quantum mechanics, statistical physics and general relativity. (Historically quantum mechanics and statistical physics were developed together, even though now we see one as more fundamental than the other.)
rs_rs_rs_rs_rs 2y ago
I really thought you were joking, will buy this.

gradschoolfail 2y ago

I recommend the closest thing to an autobiography, The travel diaries of Albert Einstein https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174419/the-travel-diaries-of-albert-einstein https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174419/th...

amunozo 2y ago
This looks like something I would really enjoy, thank you!

alberto_ol 2y ago

If you want a scientific biography, "Subtle is the Lord" by Abraham Pais, but you need a degree in physics to understand many chapters (unfortunately for me a degree in engineering was not enough). Abraham Pais wrote also "Einstein Lived Here" a non-scientific biography, but I did not read it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_is_the_Lord https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_is_the_Lord

amunozo 2y ago
I actually have a degree in Physics but I am not sure it is what I want (I don't remember much :D). But I will take a look. Thanks a lot for both recommendations!

udev4096 2y ago

You should watch season one of "Genius" (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5673782/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5673782/) docuseries which is quite an accurate life events (professional as well as personal) of Einstein

rottc0dd 2y ago

Not a biography but I like Einstein's book "Evolution of physics". It is supposed to be popular scifi book, and covers same topics as high school physics for layman. But, it is still good to hear his perspective: https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Physics-Albert-Einstein/dp/0671201565 https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Physics-Albert-Einstein/dp/...