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Einstein's Genius Club: The True Story of a Group of Scientists Who Changed the World: The True Story of a Group of Scientists Who Changed the World
As World War II wound down and it became increasingly clear that the Allies would emerge victorious, Albert Einstein invited three close friendsOCoall titans of contemporary science and philosophyOCoto his home at 112 Mercer Street in Princeton, New Jersey, to discuss what they loved bestOCoscience and philosophy. His guests were the legendary philosopher and pacifist, Bertrand Russell; the boy wonder of quantum physics, Wolfgang Pauli; and the brilliant logician, Kurt GAdel. Their casual meetings took place far from the horrific battlefields of the war and the (then) secret lair of experimental atomic physicists in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Using these historic meetings as his launching pad, Feldman sketches the lives and contributions of the four friends, colleagues, and rivalsOCoespecially Einstein, innately self-confident but frustrated in his attempt to come up with a unified theory, and the aristocratic but self-doubting Lord Russell. Masterfully researched, this book accessibly illuminates the feelings of these notable men about the world of science that was then beginning to pass them by, and about the dawning atomic age that terrified them all."
Using these historic meetings as his launching pad, Feldman sketches the lives and contributions of the four friends, colleagues, and rivalsOCoespecially Einstein, innately self-confident but frustrated in his attempt to come up with a unified theory, and the aristocratic but self-doubting Lord Russell. Masterfully researched, this book accessibly illuminates the feelings of these notable men about the world of science that was then beginning to pass them by, and about the dawning atomic age that terrified them all."
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2012
While I likely could have found better, more detailed books on any of the specific subjects touched on in this book, this was a nice overview of the state of science during the early-to-mid twentieth century. It is written in a very easy to understand manner, despite its complex subject matter.
It focused on four principle subjects -- Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Wolfgang Pauli, and Kurt Godel, and some of their contemporaries, notably, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and J. Robert Oppenheimer -- and spanned events from the discovery of relativity, to the birth of quantum physics, and finally to the weaponization of atomic science during WWII and its aftermath.
It also brought up some interesting points, from the idea that science and mathematics is a young person's game (Einstein's Annus Mirabilis occured when he was twenty-six, Pauli formulated the exclusion principle when he was twenty-five, Godel published his incompleteness theorums when he was twenty-five), to the irony that Hitler's persecution of the Jews forced Jewish scientists to flee to America, where they would later create the Atomic Bomb ahead of Hitler's German scientists.
I could understand how the premise of the book -- that these other great minds met with Einstein at his 112 Mercer Street house in Princeton -- could bother some readers, as the meetings are only vaguely confirmed, and none of the conversations were recorded, or of note, since all parties were beyond their periods of brilliance, but I found it an interesting premise to frame this particularly momentous time in modern science.
It focused on four principle subjects -- Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Wolfgang Pauli, and Kurt Godel, and some of their contemporaries, notably, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and J. Robert Oppenheimer -- and spanned events from the discovery of relativity, to the birth of quantum physics, and finally to the weaponization of atomic science during WWII and its aftermath.
It also brought up some interesting points, from the idea that science and mathematics is a young person's game (Einstein's Annus Mirabilis occured when he was twenty-six, Pauli formulated the exclusion principle when he was twenty-five, Godel published his incompleteness theorums when he was twenty-five), to the irony that Hitler's persecution of the Jews forced Jewish scientists to flee to America, where they would later create the Atomic Bomb ahead of Hitler's German scientists.
I could understand how the premise of the book -- that these other great minds met with Einstein at his 112 Mercer Street house in Princeton -- could bother some readers, as the meetings are only vaguely confirmed, and none of the conversations were recorded, or of note, since all parties were beyond their periods of brilliance, but I found it an interesting premise to frame this particularly momentous time in modern science.
September 15, 2015
The genius club included Einstein, Russell, Pauli and Godel, each a doyen in their respective fields of expertise. That these four gathered regularly at Einstein's residence to discuss contemporary topics that advanced physics and mathematics is quite awsome. Written in quite an engaging style, the author gives a glimpse of their lives and explores their quests, successes and failures in a no nonsense manner. Excellent read.
March 1, 2021
Best book I’ve read in a long time...
It is fairly rare that I learn a lot from any book on most topics, but this book taught me humor I’d not felt before, learned history I’ve not heard before, and finally came to understand some science (e.g. WHY the speed of light cannot be exceeded)... after some three decades of trying.
It is fairly rare that I learn a lot from any book on most topics, but this book taught me humor I’d not felt before, learned history I’ve not heard before, and finally came to understand some science (e.g. WHY the speed of light cannot be exceeded)... after some three decades of trying.
May 31, 2024
The information was great but not well thought out in how it was structured. Would not have hurt to chunk it into smaller chapters. The author seemed to have a wondering structure first Physics concept then people the events but very haphazard in approaches. He needs a coy editor to straight out the book for the reader to easily follow. The narrator did create work considering the piece. Overall, it is close to a 2.25 star than a 2 star.
March 3, 2019
Scientific giants clarified
A well written, at times difficult to understand discussion of 4giants of 20th century physics, mathematics and philosophy. A story within a story of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics and giants working on them. A wonderful read.
A well written, at times difficult to understand discussion of 4giants of 20th century physics, mathematics and philosophy. A story within a story of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics and giants working on them. A wonderful read.
October 27, 2025
Powerful
Although written as a history do physics, it provided a layman’s view of the concepts. The book motivates the reader to learn more a delve deeper into modern physics.
Although written as a history do physics, it provided a layman’s view of the concepts. The book motivates the reader to learn more a delve deeper into modern physics.
November 3, 2013
describes original ideas, personalities and circumstances of Einstein, Bertrand Russel, Kurt Godel, and Wolfgang Pauli. Exceptional intellects, and how they influenced each other and did or did not survive their own personal challenges.
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December 8, 2012Pretty straightforward and good for a quick reference.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews