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Einstein's Secret
Uncover secrets from the past in this time-travel tale centered around history's most famous scientist. #1 Best Seller on Amazon in Science FictionFinalist, Best Science Fiction Novel, 2016 American Book FestIt's 1955, and Albert Einstein lies in a hospital bed, deathly ill. He suddenly stirs, asks his assistant for paper and pen, then scribbles something down. Minutes later, he dies.History tells us that Einstein jotted down equations that night. But struggling scholar Jacob Morgan believes that history is wrong. He's convinced that Einstein wrote a deathbed confession that night--a secret that the great scientist didn't want to take to his grave.Jacob has spent his entire adult life obsessively hunting down that secret--with nothing to show for it but the scorn of his colleagues and the tattered remnants of a once-promising teaching career.But now, thanks to a lucky break, Jacob has a chance to get his life back on track. His appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia is a fresh start, and he's vowed to end his pursuit of Einstein's secret.Until history chooses this moment to deliver him one more clue. A clue that leads him to an impossible and unbelievable Time travelAnd so begins the last leg of Jacob's desperate quest, one where history is not only changeable--it's changing. All by itself. And if Jacob doesn't rescue Einstein's secret, everything that he's ever known will disappear forever.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2014
273 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Irving Belateche
9 books270 followersIrving Belateche is an author, screenwriter, and adjunct professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. He's written three Amazon bestsellers: "Einstein's Secret," "H2O," and "Under An Orange Sun, Some Days Are Blue." He's also written screenplays for Paramount, Universal, Sony, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 29, 2021
Review to follow 😬
A relatively unknown book, that I happened to stumble upon somehow, that piqued my interest.
The premise is that Einstein's last words were not equations, but a deathbed confession to his nurse regarding his latest topic of investigation, time travel.
Jacob Morgan has been fascinated with Einstein his whole life and has been so dedicated to proving his deathbed theory that his career is beginning to suffer. Amazingly he is given one more chance as a professor at a University in Virginia. Unfortunately just as his life is getting back on track, he encounters someone who promises him some information to take forward his theory.
This is the start of a multitude of adventures
An enjoyable book that was very different to any time travel or mystery book that I had ever read.
A relatively unknown book, that I happened to stumble upon somehow, that piqued my interest.
The premise is that Einstein's last words were not equations, but a deathbed confession to his nurse regarding his latest topic of investigation, time travel.
Jacob Morgan has been fascinated with Einstein his whole life and has been so dedicated to proving his deathbed theory that his career is beginning to suffer. Amazingly he is given one more chance as a professor at a University in Virginia. Unfortunately just as his life is getting back on track, he encounters someone who promises him some information to take forward his theory.
This is the start of a multitude of adventures
An enjoyable book that was very different to any time travel or mystery book that I had ever read.
July 7, 2018
This is a fascinating story with enough fact mixed into the fiction to make the reader wonder where one stops and the other starts.
When Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, his last words were uttered in German to a nurse who did not understand the language. He had been writing something, and this is where reality and fiction diverge. In the story, what he had been writing was a series of equations and the story is told from the point of view of Jacob, a university professor, who believes that those equations hold the secret to time travel.
The early chapters relate his experience of obsession with Einstein's theories and attempts to track down clues that might shed light on the equations and those elusive last words that were never recorded.
Jacob isn't the only person with an interest. In a mind bending series of alternate realities and changed time sequences, contemporaries of Einstein as well as university researchers known to Jacob crisscross time paths, discovering that small changes in events don't have the far reaching effects depicted in science fiction, but change the personal histories of those directly involved.
This is the kind of time travel I like best, because it makes me think and presents theories of time travel Physics that seem just plausible enough to make a good story. There is an aspect of espionage in this one that makes it gripping and fast paced in the later chapters, while making the reader question the nature of reality. An easy five stars!
When Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, his last words were uttered in German to a nurse who did not understand the language. He had been writing something, and this is where reality and fiction diverge. In the story, what he had been writing was a series of equations and the story is told from the point of view of Jacob, a university professor, who believes that those equations hold the secret to time travel.
The early chapters relate his experience of obsession with Einstein's theories and attempts to track down clues that might shed light on the equations and those elusive last words that were never recorded.
Jacob isn't the only person with an interest. In a mind bending series of alternate realities and changed time sequences, contemporaries of Einstein as well as university researchers known to Jacob crisscross time paths, discovering that small changes in events don't have the far reaching effects depicted in science fiction, but change the personal histories of those directly involved.
This is the kind of time travel I like best, because it makes me think and presents theories of time travel Physics that seem just plausible enough to make a good story. There is an aspect of espionage in this one that makes it gripping and fast paced in the later chapters, while making the reader question the nature of reality. An easy five stars!
December 29, 2015
Fun quick read; however, the resolution falls short. Even if you accept certain aspects of how time travel works in this book and are able to reconcile the non-linear flow of multiple conflicting timelines, the ending leaves the reader wondering where the other version of the protagonist has gone.
July 2, 2019
Einstein’s Secret by Irving Belateche is a novel that will bring readers back to genre Science Fiction if by chance they have lost their way. “World Building” is a familiar term to describe the environment an author builds. In this case, author Belateche built at least three possible worlds existent in a world which accepts time travel. There may be more worlds; readers can decide — the author profits from the familiarity with a little understood theoretician, Einstein. Schoolboys in grade school can recite the famous formula, but what does it mean? With this novel, Einstein does not pay attention to his oft-repeated formula. Einstein does not concentrate on gravitation theory. Instead, Einstein comes up with something new. It is a secret, but Einstein is willing to share it. The problem is, Einstein is dying. He has discovered a truth that comes complete with a dire warning. Einstein wants to give the secret, in writing, to a trusted associate. Giving it to anyone else would be catastrophic.
From the above, we know there will be an evil villain. There will be a race to discover the secret and keep it close hold for the benefit of the winner if evil wins, and for the benefit of humanity, if Jacob wins. The unique feature of the story is that the story takes place in the past, present, and possible future. Traveling between temporal states presents considerable problems to all characters. There is a central theme which I am happy to offer without creating a spoiler.
The theme relates to Belateche’s perception of synchronicity. “Synchronicity (is) History changing itself and making connections where none existed before.” (pg. 122). This quote contributes a lot to the believability of Einstein’s Secret. History becomes an actor rather than an abstract construction. At various points in the story, I found it helpful to keep this quote in mind.
Belateche did well with character development. Jacob’s character is difficult to follow because of constant evolution as Jacob becomes more aware of who, or what, he is. Van Dorn is not developed; he is just evil embodied. Einstein is not developed because his persona is assumed; everyone knows the famous scientist. Laura is delightful as Jacob’s possible romantic interest. For readers not interested in romance, like me, Laura is not a distraction.
I won’t repeat the biography of Irving Belateche. The author’s background is impressive and worth noting at the Amazon author page. I am sure that his position as a professor at the University of Southern California (USC), my alma mater, has nothing to do with my assessment of the professor as an author.
This story is a 260-page novel priced at USD 4.99 on Amazon. It is available on Kindle Unlimited, and that is where I read it. I purchased the audible download accompaniment for USD 1.99 and tried something I have wanted to do for a long time. I planned to listen to the audiobook and check with the mobi file if something was unclear. For the most part, I abandoned the audiobook early; the print (mobi) book was too appealing. The audio file is 7 hours and forty-five minutes. I read the mobi file in 3 hours 30 minutes. I am not a fast reader, but these figures probably qualify the mobi file as a page-turner.
The book has 575 reviews as of this post date, 40% were five stars. Although I also rated the book five stars, I can appreciate that some readers might feel it dragged in parts where Belateche detailed the plight of Ph.Ds. overqualified to find work. That is the case of Laura, a romantic interest, and Jacob Morgan, the principal protagonist and possible hero. Both have doctorates; both have problems finding employment. The difficulty, possibly qualifying as a “White Man’s Whine,” is a severe one for those in the stratosphere of higher education but probably one that no one not in the field of higher education cares about.
From the above, we know there will be an evil villain. There will be a race to discover the secret and keep it close hold for the benefit of the winner if evil wins, and for the benefit of humanity, if Jacob wins. The unique feature of the story is that the story takes place in the past, present, and possible future. Traveling between temporal states presents considerable problems to all characters. There is a central theme which I am happy to offer without creating a spoiler.
The theme relates to Belateche’s perception of synchronicity. “Synchronicity (is) History changing itself and making connections where none existed before.” (pg. 122). This quote contributes a lot to the believability of Einstein’s Secret. History becomes an actor rather than an abstract construction. At various points in the story, I found it helpful to keep this quote in mind.
Belateche did well with character development. Jacob’s character is difficult to follow because of constant evolution as Jacob becomes more aware of who, or what, he is. Van Dorn is not developed; he is just evil embodied. Einstein is not developed because his persona is assumed; everyone knows the famous scientist. Laura is delightful as Jacob’s possible romantic interest. For readers not interested in romance, like me, Laura is not a distraction.
I won’t repeat the biography of Irving Belateche. The author’s background is impressive and worth noting at the Amazon author page. I am sure that his position as a professor at the University of Southern California (USC), my alma mater, has nothing to do with my assessment of the professor as an author.
This story is a 260-page novel priced at USD 4.99 on Amazon. It is available on Kindle Unlimited, and that is where I read it. I purchased the audible download accompaniment for USD 1.99 and tried something I have wanted to do for a long time. I planned to listen to the audiobook and check with the mobi file if something was unclear. For the most part, I abandoned the audiobook early; the print (mobi) book was too appealing. The audio file is 7 hours and forty-five minutes. I read the mobi file in 3 hours 30 minutes. I am not a fast reader, but these figures probably qualify the mobi file as a page-turner.
The book has 575 reviews as of this post date, 40% were five stars. Although I also rated the book five stars, I can appreciate that some readers might feel it dragged in parts where Belateche detailed the plight of Ph.Ds. overqualified to find work. That is the case of Laura, a romantic interest, and Jacob Morgan, the principal protagonist and possible hero. Both have doctorates; both have problems finding employment. The difficulty, possibly qualifying as a “White Man’s Whine,” is a severe one for those in the stratosphere of higher education but probably one that no one not in the field of higher education cares about.
March 17, 2017
I got this for free out of the Kindle lending library, and I'm glad I did as it's not worth paying for. The plot belongs to a genre that usually appeals to me - thriller with pseudo-science thrown in - but there were so many problems with the writing that I couldn't finish it. I know it's just a small thing, but very early on the protagonist - an academic - calls something "reactionary", clearly believing that to mean "a strong reaction" rather than its correct meaning of extreme social or political conservatism. And that was it for me; the suspension of disbelief just couldn't be stretched as far as believing that a middle-aged, well-read academic would not know the meaning of that word. I know it's a tiny thing to get hung up on, but details is what set these fairly generic stories out from the rest in pop genres like thrillers. The writing overall was very clunky and awkward, and even the hint of some nice character-building couldn't rescue a fairly exciting idea from its death by drowning in a sea of confusion, cliches and lack of writing experience.
February 11, 2018
Narrator was OK, although something about his voice was slightly annoying. About half-way through, I realized he narrates like Shatner's Captain Kirk, where EVERY... WORD... IS... SO... IMPORTANT. I love time travel, and sci-fi, but it took too long to get going in this book. If I had another book to listen to I would have given up at chapter 10. Story was interesting enough, and the time travel tropes were handled deftly enough. The elephant in the room though, was this trek through time to discover Einsteins death-bed secret. Who cares?!?!? You just discovered TIME TRAVEL!!!! I'm reminded of the joke about the guy who finds a frog that says a kiss will turn it into a princess. The guy says "I'd rather have a talking frog."
October 9, 2017
Intriguing premise, with a lackluster execution. Pedestrian writing where every character spoke in virtually the same voice. For a book about genius there was there was almost no depth at all. The narrator was supposed to be an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, but sounded like a college freshman. Only mildly entertaining, turning the blessedly few amount of pages to find out the "secret". Even the secret was rather lame.
July 22, 2016
A very messy time traveling book. If you like conspiracies you might like this one. Unfortunately the characters are not very well developed and there are quite a few disturbing scenes. In the end there are several unanswered questions to the book.
January 29, 2018
Not too bad for a time travel book but the secret was kind of obvious and a real let down. The end and wrap up was a bit weak and could have been done better. Read it if you like the premise and have nothing elese to do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
Messy
Nice idea but far too complicated.
The book is too full of coincidences and the ending was a bit of an anti climax... winding up too suddenly and easily.
Nice idea but far too complicated.
The book is too full of coincidences and the ending was a bit of an anti climax... winding up too suddenly and easily.
January 26, 2018
kindle unlimited, almost anything to do with time travel so had to check this one out, happened to glance at the reviews but some of the points made were pointless, it's sci-fi, so not looking for someone with engineering or other type degree, just reasonably interesting story
It's 1955, and Albert Einstein lies in a hospital bed, deathly ill. He suddenly stirs, asks his assistant for paper and pen, then scribbles something down. Minutes later, he dies.
History tells us that Einstein jotted down equations that night. But struggling scholar Jacob Morgan believes that history is wrong. He's convinced that Einstein wrote a deathbed confession that night--a secret that the great scientist didn't want to take to his grave.
Jacob has spent his entire adult life obsessively hunting down that secret--with nothing to show for it but the scorn of his colleagues and the tattered remnants of a once-promising teaching career.
But now, thanks to a lucky break, Jacob has a chance to get his life back on track. His appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia is a fresh start, and he's vowed to end his pursuit of Einstein's secret.
Until history chooses this moment to deliver him one more clue. A clue that leads him to an impossible and unbelievable discovery:
Time travel
And so begins the last leg of Jacob's desperate quest, one where history is not only changeable--it's changing. All by itself. And if Jacob doesn't rescue Einstein's secret, everything that he's ever known will disappear forever.
It's 1955, and Albert Einstein lies in a hospital bed, deathly ill. He suddenly stirs, asks his assistant for paper and pen, then scribbles something down. Minutes later, he dies.
History tells us that Einstein jotted down equations that night. But struggling scholar Jacob Morgan believes that history is wrong. He's convinced that Einstein wrote a deathbed confession that night--a secret that the great scientist didn't want to take to his grave.
Jacob has spent his entire adult life obsessively hunting down that secret--with nothing to show for it but the scorn of his colleagues and the tattered remnants of a once-promising teaching career.
But now, thanks to a lucky break, Jacob has a chance to get his life back on track. His appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia is a fresh start, and he's vowed to end his pursuit of Einstein's secret.
Until history chooses this moment to deliver him one more clue. A clue that leads him to an impossible and unbelievable discovery:
Time travel
And so begins the last leg of Jacob's desperate quest, one where history is not only changeable--it's changing. All by itself. And if Jacob doesn't rescue Einstein's secret, everything that he's ever known will disappear forever.
September 9, 2019
Einstein’s Secret by Irving Belateche
This is not the first book I have read by Irving Belateche nor will it be the last. I enjoy his style of writing. His format is one that keeps you turning the page to find out what comes next.
Einstein’s Secret Is not different. I will admit I was confused at times, but the more I read, the clearer it all became. Have you ever wished you could go back in time and change something that happened or find out something that you think you should know? This is what happens to Jacob Morgan. We are told from the very beginning that as Einstein lies on his death bed he writes something on a piece of paper. Einstein dies and the paper mysteriously disappears.
Jacob believes history is wrong and sets forth to prove himself correct. He discovers more than he bargained for and finds himself on a journey through time.
If you have never read anything by Iriving Belateche Einstein’s Secret is a good one to start with.
09.09.19
This is not the first book I have read by Irving Belateche nor will it be the last. I enjoy his style of writing. His format is one that keeps you turning the page to find out what comes next.
Einstein’s Secret Is not different. I will admit I was confused at times, but the more I read, the clearer it all became. Have you ever wished you could go back in time and change something that happened or find out something that you think you should know? This is what happens to Jacob Morgan. We are told from the very beginning that as Einstein lies on his death bed he writes something on a piece of paper. Einstein dies and the paper mysteriously disappears.
Jacob believes history is wrong and sets forth to prove himself correct. He discovers more than he bargained for and finds himself on a journey through time.
If you have never read anything by Iriving Belateche Einstein’s Secret is a good one to start with.
09.09.19
April 24, 2018
Thoughtful thriller
I liked this book even though I got turned around several times by time travel. The characters are all just enough for the story, which is more about the dangers of time travel and the roles people have in a malleable history. Time is messy.
The lingering memories of different timelines was very nice and the main character attempting to save as much of the timeline as possible is the story. Against that imperative, all relationships are secondary at best. Nice writing, the first few pages had me thinking it was a biography of a real historical figure. Maybe, it's just that I've seen so much really bad writing lately but this was really good.
I liked this book even though I got turned around several times by time travel. The characters are all just enough for the story, which is more about the dangers of time travel and the roles people have in a malleable history. Time is messy.
The lingering memories of different timelines was very nice and the main character attempting to save as much of the timeline as possible is the story. Against that imperative, all relationships are secondary at best. Nice writing, the first few pages had me thinking it was a biography of a real historical figure. Maybe, it's just that I've seen so much really bad writing lately but this was really good.
January 18, 2020
Super Excellent!
This story is about Einstein and time travel. It is so interesting. I actually had to stop reading sometimes because I was getting every thing mixed up. Taking a break helped my mind calm down. I don't think I'd want to time travel if it's like this book and it probably would be. I recommend this book but have a clear head while you're reading. I'd hate to lose you. Happy Reading.
This story is about Einstein and time travel. It is so interesting. I actually had to stop reading sometimes because I was getting every thing mixed up. Taking a break helped my mind calm down. I don't think I'd want to time travel if it's like this book and it probably would be. I recommend this book but have a clear head while you're reading. I'd hate to lose you. Happy Reading.
April 10, 2023
Time travel, wormholes, alternate realities
Well, that was fun! I knocked it down to 4 stars because I had to really work to keep from being confused! That did not deter my enjoyment, though! When the same characters have multiple versions of themselves, depending what history they come from ...who WOULDN'T be a tad confused! If you like Sci fi based on these topics, you will be just fine with this book!
Well, that was fun! I knocked it down to 4 stars because I had to really work to keep from being confused! That did not deter my enjoyment, though! When the same characters have multiple versions of themselves, depending what history they come from ...who WOULDN'T be a tad confused! If you like Sci fi based on these topics, you will be just fine with this book!
January 26, 2021
Bravo! Excellent storytelling!
Einstein’s Secret in some significant ways feels hauntingly real... Great twists of science, unexpected plot turns, characters I grew invested in, and a story I’d happily follow further onward. I couldn’t put it down until I’d savored the last words...and reread some places.
Einstein’s Secret in some significant ways feels hauntingly real... Great twists of science, unexpected plot turns, characters I grew invested in, and a story I’d happily follow further onward. I couldn’t put it down until I’d savored the last words...and reread some places.
January 28, 2021
Equilibrium reached
Nice little take on time travel. A good quick read. There is a theory about time travel that says the paradoxes are such that history will keep being changed until equilibrium is reached in a history where time travel is never discovered. This story can be related to that theory.
Nice little take on time travel. A good quick read. There is a theory about time travel that says the paradoxes are such that history will keep being changed until equilibrium is reached in a history where time travel is never discovered. This story can be related to that theory.
January 23, 2017
Entertaining
Pretty well written. Thin on the science(understandable) but not ridiculously messy and heavy as most time travel stories. Fun to read and a good outcome. The writing flowed pretty well so I'll check out the author's other books.
Pretty well written. Thin on the science(understandable) but not ridiculously messy and heavy as most time travel stories. Fun to read and a good outcome. The writing flowed pretty well so I'll check out the author's other books.
October 21, 2017
Wow!
I read straight through this book in one day... almost without stopping. Much better than I expected. I usually can't read a book with grammatical errors. This one had a few but it didn't stop me for a second. Loved every bit of it!
I read straight through this book in one day... almost without stopping. Much better than I expected. I usually can't read a book with grammatical errors. This one had a few but it didn't stop me for a second. Loved every bit of it!
October 29, 2017
"Time travel is messy." This book fictionally explores this author's idea of how time travel could work. It's complicated enough to keep you interested, but not so complicated that it loses you. I enjoyed it.
July 22, 2018
Impossible to put down!
Mile-a-minute action with well-developed characters. The author has come up with a novel, imaginative plot. Could history be fluid? What was Einstein's secret?
I heartily recommend.
Mile-a-minute action with well-developed characters. The author has come up with a novel, imaginative plot. Could history be fluid? What was Einstein's secret?
I heartily recommend.
September 21, 2020
Couldn't put this book down
If you are into as yet unproven theories, sci fi, history, conspiracies and have a touch of longing for simpler times...this book is for you. Well written, quick dialogue, thought followed by action. Loved it!!
If you are into as yet unproven theories, sci fi, history, conspiracies and have a touch of longing for simpler times...this book is for you. Well written, quick dialogue, thought followed by action. Loved it!!
November 3, 2017
Slow start, decent read
The pace was too slow at the beginning, causing me to not really be interested in the story. But once the hook was set, it sped up quite well.
The pace was too slow at the beginning, causing me to not really be interested in the story. But once the hook was set, it sped up quite well.
February 20, 2018
Time travel is messy!!!
Fun and quick read, not what I expected. Starts a little slow but quickly becomes a page turner.
Rich C
Fun and quick read, not what I expected. Starts a little slow but quickly becomes a page turner.
Rich C
August 7, 2018
I must say this book turned out to be good. Super fast pace was good and bad. Good because of action, bad because hard to get character development. Nevertheless, a good book.
November 8, 2018
It started strong but deflated yo bring flat by the end. I liked the idea of worm holes but not of a passage yo the future. Characters were ok.
January 11, 2019
It was interesting up to the point of revelation of what kind of travelbook it was... Then it became like any other... Travelbooks ...
March 21, 2019
Time travel is messy, but this book isn’t.with excellent characters and a great plot, lots to think about and well worth the time.
August 23, 2019
This is a delightful twist on time travel. Put it on your must read list.
September 9, 2019
Fantastic book!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews