Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity[ALBERT EINSTEIN & THEORY OF RE][Paperback]

by Robert Cwiklik

Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity <> Paperback <> RobertCwiklik <> Barron'sEducationalSeries

Genres: Biography, Science, Nonfiction, School, History, Childrens, Read For School

Paperback

First published October 26, 1987

About the author

Robert Cwiklik was an editor at the Wall Street Journal for more than sixteen years. He is the author of House Rules, about a year in the life of a freshman congressman, and several books for young adults and children.

Reviews

[The other John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care much for this biography of Albert Einstein. Oh, it presented the facts of his life well enough. It also did a good job of explaining Einstein's theories and showing why they were so revolutionary. What turned me off was Mr. Cwiklik's style of presenting Einstein's life. He didn't engage the reader in the story, but instead came across as talking down to his audience. (I know, this is a biography for "young people", but it is possible to write at a child's level without sacrificing readability.) I also wondered how many of the personal thoughts and feelings were actually Einstein's and how many were author generated filler. So in the end, while I did learn something from the book, I was left wondering if I there was a better biography out there, somewhere.

[Aubrie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about Albert Einstein. Going into this book, I didn't know much about him, so it was cool to learn more.
At sometimes this book was a bit slow, but overall, the information was presented very well.

[Kelly Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing book about the life of Albert Einstein, mixing the scientific discoveries with the current events in history.

[Challice · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Though Albert didn't talk much as a child, he was very sensitive, which is often true of quiet people. He was especially sensitive to ideas."

This book not only told a brief account of Einstein, at a fast pace, but also gave explanations on how the science worked with Einstein's theories.
I admit that a lot of the science talk went way over my head. I use this book as a read for our school and my first child that read it struggled through and now after reading it, I can understand why.
I do want to point out that I do not have a scientific mind. I don't understand the need to know and understand how everything works. So, maybe someone with a more intelligent mind could find this more fascinating.

"In later life, he would say that 'love is the best teacher,' meaning that if you love a thing, you will be eager to learn about it, and the work will not seem hard."

I picked this up after reading Marie Benedict's, The Other Einstein. It helped formulate a more balance view of the two physicists.
All in all, it was interesting when it stuck to the biography aspect of Einstein and it was slow when it started to get more into the science talk.

[Lauren Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studying the life of Einstein was a missing block in my education! I am thankful for this book which opened a door to the world of physics. I would actually really enjoy attempting to study it now whereas before it felt too illusive. Einstein’s life was fascinating and I had no idea what a key role he played in the story of history in the twentieth century! There are a few quotes to commonplace from this book and Einstein has earned a well deserved spot in my book of centuries.

[Brit Chhangur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-read for AO year 6! This book was the story of his life but weaved his theories and scientific works throughout, which I liked even though it was all very hard to wrap my mind around. But overall a very good book, and fit well alongside the history reads for this term.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

I'll admit that I didn't know much about the personal life of Albert Einstein before reading this book. I thought that Cwiklik did a very good job of helping the reader get to know the man beyond the scientist. I also appreciated the simplified presentation of his work and theories cause...Einstein. Overall, I would recommend this for middle school ages.

[María Elena Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this brief biography that is planned as one my son's homeschool readings. It has some hard parts that get deep in technical concepts but overall is a good reading. The last paragraphs, my favorite part.

[M.K. Laffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this book, as it is a school book. Regardless, I found this book very informative with a very pleasant writing style. Reading about Albert Einstein’s childhood and life was very fun for me and helped me breeze through it easily.

[Vanessa Chesebro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable read.

[Jeter Bravo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity" is one of theses books that makes you question yourself about the world and earth cause Einstein discovered many things when he was alive and he was curious to know about many things also. Einstein as a kid was so curious, he questioned his father and uncle about things of electricity and how the stuff his father and uncle makes work cause back then his father and uncle owned a company for making things with electricity. Einstein was also a shy person when he went to school he wasn't really social, sounds like me when when I was a kid too. As Einstein got older he became world's most smartest mathematician. Einstein came up with this thing of theory of relativity and he solved it. This book after I read it made me question things and just made me be open minded.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and relatively painless introduction to Einstein, his theories, and his contributions to science. The author’s tone is condescending, as though he’s speaking to little children with minimal understanding. In addition, although the author explains Einstein’s theories in language that can be understood, he fails to explain the significance of those theories. The reader is left wondering why the theory of relativity, for example, even matters.

[Dawn Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assigned for high schooo reading, but written at more of a middle school level, I was skeptical. However, after the first 50 pages, it delves into Einstein's theories that even adults need broken down into elementary language. A very interesting sketch of the man and the historic importance of his theories.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interestingly written YA biography of Einstein. There is some discussion of the theory of relativity but mostly it deals with the importance of it. The book makes Einstein's life interesting to follow in the context of WW2. I still don't get it (the theory!), but maybe I understand I little bit better. 12 yo thought it was a good biography.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with our 6th grader (11 year old) as part of his history class. It is a 20th century class and so even though the book was a lot about science, we learned a lot about Albert Einstein that I didn't know before. It took a bit to read, especially since we were reading it aloud to each other, but I was fascinated learning about Einstein's life in more detail.

[Jeff Pavlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a marvelous book used as an introduction to Albert Einstein’s life.

What made Einstein? Was it insatiable curiosity, his father giving him a compass at an early age? Who knows; however, the way his mind worked is nothing short of intriguing!

The faster the movement… the slower the time

[Nelleke Plouffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was part of my son’s grade 6 curriculum, and I chose to read it aloud to my whole family (boys ages 11, 9, 7 and 4). I have read several science biographies aloud, and this was by far our favourite. Well written, full of ideas to think about. Highly recommended!

[Wayne Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for people of all ages! I didn’t know this was a children’s book until after I got it. So well written and educational. This only help plant the seed in my future studies of Einstein and his theory of relativity

[Gina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

AO year 6 book, informative and easy to read, does a good job of making his theories understandable to a 6th grader.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the life of Albert Einstein, and it helped me see more than just the scientist.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL, the best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ambleside year 6

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-reading for AO year 6. Very interesting and definitely instilled a desire to learn more about him.

[Lily Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Bethanyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my fifth grader

[Shylah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are probably better biography’s about Einstein out there

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative on the life of Albert Einstein. My 6th grader enjoyed it.

[Richard Bandejas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entry 1: If I interviewed Albert, I think he would be speaking with a z sound when he talks, because he is from Europe. Also he would like to talk about his past, because since he knows that he is known as a brilliant person, he would be talking about how he was known as a stupid and dumb person. Also on how his teachers called him a lazy dog and how he would daydream in class and he learned how to speak very far from an average kid trying to speak. Then he would talk about how war changed him, also about his theory. Also how he had to find his new wife after his old wife died.

Entry 2: If I was Albert, I would not marry my cousin, because that´s really weird, also that could change the ending because he could make someone famous or marry someone who is famous. Also I would try to find a way to stop atomic bombs, because since he found out about how the world can kill itself, then find a way since I am smart and I have the help I need and the stuff I need and the stuff I know what to get and I could be in deep history since I saved a planet from nearly being destroyed to ashes.

Entry 3, If I made an article of Albert, then I would be writing about his past to show that anything is possible, or bad things can sometimes turn out to be good. Again about how he would always be called unteachable, also on how he would be called special at one point, but then as he fidgets with lightbulbs and other scientific instuments, he later dives in the world and starts to learn, meets again with his teachers and later becomes the professor while his own professor becomes the student.

[Rosie Gearhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting biography! THIS is a living book. I not only got to know the man but felt like I understood his work. The scientific concepts were written with clarity. Middle school and up.

[Merab Zukhbaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this when I was still at school, 16-17 years old. Had a great impact on me. It was very easy to understand book, though I read it probably 3 times.