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Possessing Genius: The Bizarre Odyssey of Einstein's Brain
For nearly half a century the pickled brain of Albert Einstein has roamed the world-in Tupperware containers, courier packages, and, most famously, car trunks. In Possessing Genius , award-winning journalist Carolyn Abraham presents the whole story-the mysteries, myths, and almost unbelievable facts-of the brain's postmortem odyssey.
The story begins with in April 1955, when Thomas Stolz Harvey, chief pathologist at Princeton Hospital, found himself in charge of dissecting the cadaver of the greatest scientist of his age, perhaps of any age. He seized the opportunity to do something "noble." Using an electric saw Harvey sliced through the skull and gingerly removed the organ that would both define and haunt the rest of his life. Harvey struck a controversial deal with Einstein's family to keep the brain, swearing to safeguard it from souvenir hunters and publicity seekers, and to make it available only for serious scientific inquiry. Not a neuroscientist himself, he became the unlikely custodian of this object of intense curiosity and speculation, and the self-styled bulwark against the relentless power of Einstein's growing celebrity.
Bridging the post-war era and the new millennium, Possessing Genius is the first comprehensive account of the circuitous path the brain took with Harvey during the decades it remained in his possession. Harvey permitted Einstein's gray matter to be sliced, diced, probed, prodded, and weighed by those hoping to solve the enigma, and locate the source, of genius itself. Einstein's brain was more than a subject of scientific investigation but a kind of holy relic; the history of its perambulations since 1955 reflects the vicissitudes and vanities underpinning what we believe makes us human. Abraham has gathered together all fascinating details and documents of the brain's saga-including previously unpublished correspondence between Harvey and Otto Nathan, the executor of Einstein's estate-and from them woven a story that is both deeply engrossing and highly illuminating.
The story begins with in April 1955, when Thomas Stolz Harvey, chief pathologist at Princeton Hospital, found himself in charge of dissecting the cadaver of the greatest scientist of his age, perhaps of any age. He seized the opportunity to do something "noble." Using an electric saw Harvey sliced through the skull and gingerly removed the organ that would both define and haunt the rest of his life. Harvey struck a controversial deal with Einstein's family to keep the brain, swearing to safeguard it from souvenir hunters and publicity seekers, and to make it available only for serious scientific inquiry. Not a neuroscientist himself, he became the unlikely custodian of this object of intense curiosity and speculation, and the self-styled bulwark against the relentless power of Einstein's growing celebrity.
Bridging the post-war era and the new millennium, Possessing Genius is the first comprehensive account of the circuitous path the brain took with Harvey during the decades it remained in his possession. Harvey permitted Einstein's gray matter to be sliced, diced, probed, prodded, and weighed by those hoping to solve the enigma, and locate the source, of genius itself. Einstein's brain was more than a subject of scientific investigation but a kind of holy relic; the history of its perambulations since 1955 reflects the vicissitudes and vanities underpinning what we believe makes us human. Abraham has gathered together all fascinating details and documents of the brain's saga-including previously unpublished correspondence between Harvey and Otto Nathan, the executor of Einstein's estate-and from them woven a story that is both deeply engrossing and highly illuminating.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Carolyn Abraham
5 books11 followersCarolyn Abraham is an award-winning science writer who spent 14 years as the senior medical reporter for The Globe and Mail, Canada's leading national newspaper. Her features, focusing on the intersection of science and society, have earned more than eight national awards, including four from the Canadian Science Writers Association, and two National Newspaper Awards.
Carolyn Abraham appears often as an on-air television commentator on medical issues, wrote the chapter on the SARS outbreak in Canada at the request of the World Health Organization and co-wrote the NFB production entitled DNA and Dollars. Her first book formed the basis of the National Geographic documentary on Einstein's brain that was broadcast in 14 countries. Carolyn lives in Toronto. For more information on her work please see www.carolynabraham.ca.
From Cooke Agency Website who represents Carolyn Abraham
Carolyn Abraham appears often as an on-air television commentator on medical issues, wrote the chapter on the SARS outbreak in Canada at the request of the World Health Organization and co-wrote the NFB production entitled DNA and Dollars. Her first book formed the basis of the National Geographic documentary on Einstein's brain that was broadcast in 14 countries. Carolyn lives in Toronto. For more information on her work please see www.carolynabraham.ca.
From Cooke Agency Website who represents Carolyn Abraham
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 12, 2008
This is another in the series of weird fascinations I have. The book is about the adventures of Einstein's brain, mostly after his death. The story is well written with what little information seems to be known about both its history, and its whereabouts. At times the book seems frustrating because I expect it to reveal some great finding about the connection between genius and physical brain structure, and in the end it seems that there is none (that we currently know of). I dejectly come to the realization that there is no way for me to become a genius, and hate my parents for not birthing me as one. All jokes aside, this book tells an interesting story that most will find entertaining (not just those with morbid curiosities such as myself). I even recommended this book to my grandmother and she enjoyed it. 4 shining stars for this one.
May 15, 2008
The book was well-written and I do not regret the time spent reading it however, the most interesting information from the work was about Einstein himself; not his uncapped brain. The author reveals surprising details about Einstein's personality and life that don't fit the profile of friendly, impish genius. If it is Einstein you are interested in then pick up a biography. However, much of the subject matter is saved by the author's clever usage of language related to brains, research, etc. to draw comparisons and create imagery.
August 28, 2008
This is a unique book about what was done with albert einstein's brain after he died. his genius at that time was unparalleled, so his family donated it to science so that it could be studied, and it was left in the possession of a caretaker scientist who was left with the sole responsibility of safeguarding it.
September 3, 2011
Quite amazing when you think of it!
December 14, 2017
If you think you know everything about Einstein, just wait until you find out about what happened to his brain after he died... This was an amazing read!
600-699-applied-science
January 13, 2020616.07
April 17, 2020
Loved this book... what an exciting and well put together journey of One of The Greatest Minds! It was not at all what I expected but I couldn’t put the book down!
Read
December 19, 2025I was really busy at the time. Maybe will finish it in the future since it was really interesting.
April 15, 2025
From my lovely teacher
June 9, 2015
This feels and reads like a book-length magazine article, and depends too much on interviews with Thomas Harvey, the man who 'possessed genius.' I'm not sure if this reliance on interviews with Harvey is because he is the central character of the story, or because the writer is a journalist writing a book-length magazine article!
Not that its a bad book. The interesting thing is that the world has changed so much in just 50 years that such an event (a solitary, almost secret autopsy of such a monumental celebrity) would be impossible now.
Perhaps the disposition of Einstein's brain at the end of Possessing Genius, as unideal as it seems, was the best that could have happened in the real world.
Not that its a bad book. The interesting thing is that the world has changed so much in just 50 years that such an event (a solitary, almost secret autopsy of such a monumental celebrity) would be impossible now.
Perhaps the disposition of Einstein's brain at the end of Possessing Genius, as unideal as it seems, was the best that could have happened in the real world.
July 25, 2015
For someone who writes fiction and poetry, this non-fiction book, including a lot of scientific information as well, was the last book I thought I would love. But I couldn't put it down. What a crazy, stranger-than-fiction story, with well-drawn "characters." Abraham is a terrific writer, making even the science exciting. I would highly, highly recommend this book. It's at times funny, wacky even, and highly sympathetic to its main protagonist, the curious man who "possesses genius."
November 15, 2007
This book is interesting for historical reasons, but really didn't hold my attention for very long. This says a lot since I study neurobiology so anything involving brains is usually pretty cool :) The neuroscience part of the book is completely hollywoodized and Abraham doesn't even explain well what Einstein's contributions to physics were. I wouldn't recommend this book.
April 10, 2014
The unusual and amusing tale of what happened to Albert Einstein's brain.
Abraham has beautiful science writing and thorough research. The people in the story are fully fleshed out, to the extent that you feel you know them (or someone like them). It was fascinating and bizarre. Fans of Mary Roach will enjoy.
Abraham has beautiful science writing and thorough research. The people in the story are fully fleshed out, to the extent that you feel you know them (or someone like them). It was fascinating and bizarre. Fans of Mary Roach will enjoy.
January 20, 2008
this book is so awesome and weird. it's the story of the journey of einstein's brain around the country and world...some pieces were sent to different scientists for research to figure out why einstein was a genius. this is such an enjoyable book to read!
June 4, 2009
Bizarre.
December 6, 2011
Great story, but the writing style was a bit choppy.
August 31, 2013
An intriguing read about what happened to Einstein's brain after he died. Very interesting. Proof that non-fiction can sometimes be even as bizarre- or even more bizarre- than fiction.
January 20, 2016
An interesting story and really well written.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews