The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds

by Benyamin Cohen

"A fascinating and funny guide to history's favorite genius―and why he still matters." ―A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author A fascinating look into how Einstein's genius and science continues to show up in so many facets of our everyday lives and his enduring legacy as an unlikely pop culture icon. Albert Einstein was the first modern-day celebrity and, decades after his death, still has the world's most recognizable face. His influence is seen in much of the technology we use every GPS, remote controls, weather forecasts, even toothpaste. But it's not just Einstein's scientific discoveries that continue to shape our world. His legacy underpins the search for aliens, the rescue of refugees, the invention of time machines, and the debunking of fake news. He appears in new books, TV shows, and movies all the time―and fans are paying millions for Einstein relics at auction. Award-winning author and journalist Benyamin Cohen has a bizarre side hustle as the manager of Einstein's official social media accounts, which have 20 million followers―more than most living celebrities. In The Einstein Effect , Cohen embarks on a global quest to unearth Einstein's ongoing relevance today. Along the way, he meets scientists and celebrities, speaks to dozens with the last name Einstein (including two rabbis), and even tracks down the brain of Einstein, stolen from his body during the autopsy. Cohen shows us the myriad ways the Nobel Prize winner's influence is still with us, giving an in-depth―and often hilarious―look at the world's favorite genius like you've never seen him before. Praise for The Einstein Effect : "Benyamin is a regular Joe with great humility, a tremendous sense of humor, a philosopher with an acute awareness of human connection, a gift to us all." ―Mandy Patinkin, actor, singer, activist "I hope this book encourages others to be inspired by Einstein as well." ―Christopher Lloyd, award-winning actor "A book for geniuses and the rest of us alike." ―Derek Baxter, author of In Pursuit of Jefferson "A thoroughly entertaining new book." ―Jeff Einstein, great-great nephew of Albert Einstein "Full of humor and surprises." ―Paul Halpern, physics professor and author of Einstein's Dice and Schrödinger's Cat

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

370 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2023

Reviews

[Scott Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this breezy, meandering tribute to the iconic physicist, the author manages to include many insights and facts about Einstein's life and continuing influence on technology and culture. But the book is marred by the author's jokey writing style--with most of his attempts at humor falling flat--and by sloppiness that could have been cleaned up by a competent editor. Strictly for readers with a strong interest in Einstein.

[Lindzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. Interesting Einstein facts and relating it back to our modern world. Some reviews said they wanted Einstein explained in this book with a🥲science. The author is the guy who runs Albert Einstein’s twitter account. He never claimed to be a scientist and that wasn’t his purpose in writing this book. It was a quick and easy read. I did like the misinformation chapter that was included.

Favorite quotes:
Einstein - Blind obedience to authority is the greatest enemy of the truth
Einstein - we should take care not to take intellect our god; it has if course powerful muscles, but no personality
Getting lost to find where you need to go
On International Rescue committee- founded by Einstein, there a human life in all mass of humanity. Each one represents an individual whose life was completely upended through no fault of their own
Separating race is a disease of white people
Intelligence does not always equal empathy. It’s something you have to work on - Anna Pysana
Lenny Ponzer (father of Sandy hook child) truth depends on where you’re standing…(much like the theory of relativity) we’re seeing different things depending on what our vantage point is

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite interesting tale of the Einstein Facebook page. The author took the page over at the request of Einstein Society when the previous poster left. He tells of the posts he makes and all of the things he has learned about Einstein - which I think are fascinating.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Einstein Effect by Benyamin Cohen (Sourcebooks, July 2023) shows the ways in which Albert Einstein has influenced life and culture today, from the providing of refugee aid, to the creation of GPS and so much more. With the subtitle “How the World’s Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds,” Cohen gives a somewhat amusing perspective on this genius that everyone around the world knows.

I read a biography of Einstein years ago, and so some of what I read about (such as the stealing of Einstein’s brain) were familiar to me. What The Einstein Effect does uniquely is take many aspects from Einstein’s life and extend them into today’s society. How would life today be different if Einstein had not produced the theories he did and been such a unique personality?

For me, some points of the book felt a bit too “trivial” to me: I felt the connection to Einstein was a tentative one at best. A few of the first chapters felt slow to develop. But the author’s tongue-in-cheek humor quickly brought up the pace of the book, and I found it quite enjoyable.

The Einstein Effect would be a great book especially for those who love trivia books and those who are fascinated by the first international celebrity scientist. It is a fascinating commentary on the ways society has changed because of this unique man.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book version of the Einstein effect. I could not wait to read it and it did not disappoint. I had never heard of Benyamin Cohen before listening to the book and did not know Einstein was on social media.

This book goes through a lot of different things such as the self opening doors that stores have, fake news, people with the last name Einstein, a person even has a first name of Einstein, a woman who made a cake that looks like Einstein, James Webb Telescope, what happened to Einsteins brain, and it also talks about other celebrities brains. I am sure there are a lot things I am liked that I am forgetting to mention.

One of the most interesting people that the book talked about was Ronald L. Mallett a man who has spent his life trying to make time travel a reality so he can save his dad who died of a heart attack in 1955. The book also talks to people who are skeptical about time travel.

One thing I learned that I did not know Einstein was so involved in was civil rights.

And one thing I like was that Einstein said "I never think about the future because it arrives soon enough". I don't know if that is how it was said in the book but, I think its close. I made me think I need to stop worrying about the future so much.

I thought The Einstein effect was a entertaining book about a very interesting man. I am glad I took the time to listen to it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting tidbits here. Who knew that GPS, automatic doors and numerous other modern conveniences we take for granted are inventions enabled by Einstein's discoveries? I was also surprised to learn that Einstein founded the prestigious Hebrew University in Israel and donated all of his papers to this institution. In addition, Einstein was offered the position of President of Israel in the 1950s, which he turned down due to his reluctance to leave Princeton.

On the downside, the book is overlong and some parts are boring. Chapters on "Einstein and Pop Culture" and "Einstein in the Era of Fake News" seem included to add length and appeal to Gen Z readers. The book is light on science. If you expected any attempt to explain Einstein's scientific discoveries in laymen's terms, keep looking.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Einstein Effect by Benjamin Cohen

Have you ever been curious about the life Einstein led? Have you ever been curious about Einstein as a man? Have you ever been curious about how Einstein affected our world? If your answer is even a partial yes to any of these questions, then The Einstein Effect by Benjamin Cohen is for you.

I learned so much about not only Einstein but about the world around me and why some things are the way they are. I am now more knowledgeable about so many different categories.

Benjamin Cohen, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing speak when he came to my city. Is the country’s, probably the world’s, leading expert on everything Albert Einstein.

Get yourself a copy of this book. Read it for enjoyment and learn a lot along the way.

01.27.2024

[Suzanne Malburg]

The book was so interesting and informative to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it had so much fascinating facts in it that I need to read it again to absorb more of this information. The author is witty, clever and engaging in his writing style. The reader feels as if he is speaking directly to them when he is writing about his experiences with Einstein's legacy. There is so much information about Einstein that I did not know and finished the book being so impressed with this genius on so many levels that I don't know where to begin. The story also flows very well and incorporates so much information in a very easy manner to read. I would also like to read other books by this author.

[Allison A · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting listen. I'm trying to take in works from individuals with different perspectives than mine... And this author definitely fits the bill. I had to laugh (grimly) at how his haughty comments about the COVID vaccine skeptics have agreed terribly in light of excess deaths and the studies now verifying that the cure was far worse than the disease. He should have stuck to historical events/facts because wandering into editorializing on current/very recent past made him look foolish and perhaps not a worthy speaker for the intelligent mind he seeks to represent.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is Einstein's brain? His actual brain. It seems impossible, but, yeah, it's there. Read the book to find out. Also, did you know Albert Brooks is Super Dave Osborne's brother (Bob Einstein). Albert Brooks' real name is Albert Einstein. Lots of tangential, but interesting, information about good old AE by the guy who runs his social media accounts.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight research by the author about how Einstein was a humanitarian helping Jews leave Europe establishing scholarships his inventions are responsible for the GPS system. How many people with that surname relatives.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any fascination at all with Einstein, recent technologies, or mysteries of the universe, this is a fantastic read! Easy to read and get a handle on what Einstein was all about, his most amazing discoveries, and the ways he enriches our lives and still lives on today.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read and much more interesting than I anticipated

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool stories and history. Prefer less. Didn’t need the details of the author’s internet service provider and more.
Author’s sense of enthusiasm is palpable.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are intrigued by Einstein and want to know how he is still making waves today-this is a great read. Full of great information and information naught. Loved it!

[Dorothy Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting info in here 👍 😀

[Chris Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of historical facts and current influences of Einstein. A little too cutesy in places but I did learn quite a few things I didn’t know about him.

[Dominika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Interesting, easy to read, mostly light hearted. I enjoyed it.

[Suzyn Ornstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

Very clever. Lots of valuable insight. Great sense of humor. Easy to read on Kindle. I might have to follow on Facebook.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club book

[Joanne McKone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been much shorter. I enjoyed the chapters about Einstein that had substance, but half of the book was filler and rambling.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that eventhough Einstein has been dead for almost 70 years, his influence is still felt in many areas of innovation in the world today.

[Nora Maya M Kachaturoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but a slog, definitely not a page-turner,.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a quickly book. It reads sometimes like a novel, sometimes like a biography, sometimes like a science textbook etc.

I did find myself laughing out loud many times and copying quotes.

[864cw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, informative, entertaining and relevant. I especially loved the final chapter. Well done!

[Gwen Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like A.J. Jacobs books, you’ll like this one. Part biography, part memoir, part history, this book delves into all things Einstein with humor and wonder.

[Sara Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has interesting facts about a fascinating man and his work. I like the author´s style of writing but I thought the book was rambling by the end of it.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! He writes very well. Enjoyed his first book too!

[Julie keener · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Found out stuff I never knew about Einstein. His stories made it easy to stay interested the whole time.