The Private Lives of Albert Einstein

by Roger Highfield, Paul Carter

A less-than-flattering biography of the great genius draws on archives and interviews to expose a man of powerful emotions and a deeply troubled family life.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Science, History, Biography Memoir

353 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Roger Ronald Highfield (born 1958 in Griffithstown, Wales) is an author, science journalist, broadcaster and director of external affairs at the Science Museum Group.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, non-fiction book about the life of Albert Einstein. He was universally acknowledged as a genius, winning the Nobel Prize and working for world peace. His personal life was a different story. He ridiculed his first wife and two boys, trying to manipulate everything in their lives. He had numerous affairs. His second wife and stepchildren faired much better. In his will, he left nothing to his two boys and his estate to a secretary, a step-daughter and family friend.

The book was well written and quoted many of his letters written to his sons, Hans Albert and Eduard, his first wife, Mileva, Elsa, his second wife, colleagues and friends.

[Bart De Bruyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit boek geeft een kijk op het privéleven van Albert Einstein waardoor men een ander beeld krijgt van de man zoals hij voornamelijk bekend is als wetenschapper. Hier wordt hij voornamelijk afgebeeld als mens met zijn eigen problemen en persoonlijke meningen.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost interest and stopped reading half way through.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a very flattering picture of Albert Einstein. It reminds me a tad of a quote I read once by a writer who reviewed his performance in some concert, remarking that "he didn't understand the man's reknown as he was a fairly mediocre violinist." (or words to that effect) --a reason for having good editors.

A great amount of second-hand research went into this book and the authors try to be objective, but after all is said, all they prove is that genius or not, the man was flawed and made for a crappy husband. It certainly debunks him as an icon. The book gave me a sense of the chronology of his life, and his struggles, but wish they had delved a bit deeper into the science and significance of the general theory of relativity. It wouldn't be the first book I would recommend for someone wanting to more more about either Mr. Einstein or theoretical physics.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good bio of Einstein that covers his two marriages, affairs, children, stepchildren, and other hangers-on.

It cannot be as thorough as Isaacson's bio, which had access to more private letters, but it is quite good nevertheless.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Rousseau, Albert Einstein was no angel. After he and his first wife put their first child up for adoption, he left her. The authors of this book go so far as to suggest that Einstein may also have taken credit for some of her work in physics.

[Mary Newcomb]

Albert Einstein had a complicated personal life. This book provides a fascinating profile of him, his families and their lives.

[Donna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the world of Einstein as completely human; chauvinistic, isolated, and self-absorbed. Well written and compassionate.

[Jack Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting look into the life of AB,sure does dispell the St. Einstein myth.
xmas gift.

[SillySuzy]

Een Rainbowpocket uit 1994. Toevallig tegenaan gelopen, maar verrassend interessant. Gebaseerd op de (privé) correspondentie van Einstein en gesprekken met familieleden en vrienden (60 blz met bronvermeldingen achterin het boek). Echt aardig was onze Albert overigens niet.