Customer Rating: 
Summary: Get to know the man behind the science!!!
Comment: +++++
This fascinating book contains brief writings of physicist Albert Einstein (1879 to 1955), one of the most creative intellects of the twentieth century. It contains articles from early in his career until his last writings of 1954. All works were gathered under the supervision of Einstein himself.
This book gives a comprehensive and personal portrait of the man behind the scientific legend. It contains the most important items from three important books of articles, speeches, statements, and letters by Einstein. These important books are: "The World As I see It" (1934), "Out of My Later Years" (1950), and "Mein Weltbild" (1953). As well, there are a few selections from other publications.
Finally, this book is divided into five parts. Below I will give the titles of each part as well as other relevant information concerning each part. Note that I will use the word "article" to denote a speech, letter, essay, etc.
(1) Ideas and Opinions (contains about 45 articles). This is the only part that has sub-sections of which there are five: General Section (untitled); About Freedom; About Religion; About Education; and About Friends. Some of my personal favorite articles in this part are entitled:
(i) The meaning of life (ii) The true value of a human being (iii) On wealth (iv) On academic freedom (v) On freedom (vi) Science and religion and (vii) Education for independent thought. Some of Einstein's friends included Bertrand Russell (philosopher), George Bernard Shaw (playwright), Marie Curie (chemist), Mahatama Gandi, and Max Planck (physicist).
(2) On Politics, Government, and Pacifism (about 35 articles). Note that Einstein was a pacifist (one who opposes the use of force under any circumstances). Six of my favorite articles in this part were:
(i) Peace (ii) Atomic war or peace (iii) The military mentality (iv) Why Socialism? (v) The pursuit of peace and (vi) On the abolition of the threat of war.
(3) On the Jewish People (nearly 15 articles). Note that Einstein was Jewish.
(4) On Germany (5 articles). Einstein who was born in Ulm, Wurttemberg, Germany emigrated to the United Stated in Dec. 1932.
(5) Contributions to Science (about 20 articles). For those that do not have a scientific background, most of these articles are not difficult to understand. Topics Einstein discusses include relativity, theoretical physics, science, and gravitation. As well, Einstein gives tributes to Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler (discovered three laws of planetary motion), James Clerk Maxwell (known especially for his work on electromagnetism), and Copernicus (stated that the Earth revolves around the Sun).
Note that Einstein did win a Nobel Prize but he did not win it for his Theory of Relativity.
In conclusion, this may be the most definitive collection of Albert Einstein's popular writings and enables the reader to get to know the man behind the science!!
(first published 1954; publisher's note; 5 parts or about 120 articles; main narrative 375 pages)
+++++
Customer Rating:
Summary: Einstein was a crazy ol' fool.
Comment: This book is a good read whether you're familiar with Einstein or not. I'd recommend it for everyone, especially for those of you that are vehemently opposed to socialist "Ideas & Opinions," because you'll get a kick out of this...or you'll just kick it. Because after you read this, you'll be surprised we didn't throw the old man in jail during the second red scare.
Other than socialism, this book will also help you realize just how ironic Einstein's life was:
1)As a zealous Pacifist, Einstein is indirectly responsible for the construction of the most destructive military weapon ever conceived.
2)Despite his disapproval of the idolization and worship of icons, Einstein is now the face of science & intelligence.
3)Although he had no religious doctrine (Unless you consider Newton's Principia to be the Pantheist's Bible), he stubbornly opposed the implications of quantum theory as if they went against God him/her/it self. *This irony isn't quite as obvious from this book as it is from others on the subject of entanglement.
I don't know if this review will be helpful or not, but I felt compelled to write one after reading some of the other reviewers who thought that he should've "Stuck to Science." But I disagree, a great mind shouldn't stick to anything, but only become more & more involved in everything so that they may help us avoid the pitfalls brought about by our own ignorance. He didn't have a great mind for science, but for logical analysis in general, isn't that what makes a genius?
Nevertheless, at least we all recognize Einstein for the genius that he was, just as we recognize Jesus for the same. Now we just need to start taking their advice.
And if Einstein should've stuck to science, Jesus should've stuck to carpentry.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Vividly holistic look at Einstein's mind
Comment: 'Ideas & Opinions' gathered an excellent collection of short essays & letters written by Einstein, which covers subjects such as: politics, government, human rights, & (of course) science. The writings provide an intimate & holistic glimpse at Einstein's thinking process & personal philosophy. What interest me most among these writings are those that reveal Einstein's philosophical perspectives (such as about religion, war & peace); & more interestingly, how these perspectives are rationally formulated & concisely crystalized.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Ideas And Opinions
Comment: I have not nor will I have time to read this book for some time, although I hear it is good
Customer Rating:
Summary: Beware uncritical capitalists, superior intellect ahead
Comment: Before I begin, I was mainly interested in this book for everything besides einsteins views on science.
I acknowledge the necessity of capitalism but there are definitely social problems that cannot be solved by it, and any new solutions to societies social problems will because of hard work and technology of dedicated people, and not because of the idealogy. There are severe defects in market economies that cannot be overcome by capitalist market principles. I see enough people on disability and minimum wage everday to know that markets are fundamentally broken when it comes to the weakest in society and the insane pace of inventions and technologies making workers skills obselete. Then on top of that competing with other countries who have extremely cheap workers, genetic limitations on peoples potential and ability to increase their market value in modern economies, etc.
Einstein was truly a brilliant, caring and remarkable man. He has the hallmark of all true intellectuals and truly rational men: He saw that crime and violence and the disruption of economic security of societies weakest members caused by capitalism, as form of brutish ignorance of a backward, unthinking and animalistic minds of those in power that endorse it's doctrine.
Almost all superior intellects acknowledge the problems of market principles and market economies and how they cause economic insecurity, and the degenerate people that endorse and run them. See William James Sidis and Boris sidis realized this as well, James was a child prodigy, and his father was also genius of a man.
Obviously einstein never gave much insight into the kinds of solutions he would implement but he saw the fundamental problems: Those in power keep getting stronger and the rest of society gets their jobs and economic security (i.e. secure in their ability to obtain food, housing, clothes and a roof over their head) displaced constantly as new inventions keep displacing or devaluing their work or other countries with different currency valuations and emormous oversupply of workers keep devaluing their work, wages, and purchasing power.
In modern capitalism the strong get stronger, and the weaker have to worry about losing their wellbeing or ability to afford housing and food while living and when older. Many other ancestral societies would be turning in their graves at how stupid modern people are who live under the boot of capitalism when applied to human and social needs of societies weakest members.
The basic ability ro obtain food, cloth yourself and have a roof over your head should be *gauranteed for all*, no one really owns planet earth, people just love to believe other people own things. What a barbaric and backward system it is invented and designed by the brutish animal minds of those that came before us, einstein saw through the swiss cheeze thinking two faced apologists of capitalism, he knew that you cannot eliminate "poverty", since poverty was a requirement of capitalism to begin with, who would scrub your toilets, be your waiters and clean your hotel rooms, if poverty was not a constant *feature* built into the capitalist system?
As if 'poverty' was caused by something other then humans lack of ethics and ability to share food and responsibility to collectively maintain, build, and produce the necessities that enable them to live secure and then share them with one another. Einstein strikes right at the heart of the cause of 'social problems' in market economies: Market and market principles. He saw that markets can solve some problems very well but not others, he wanted a society that had the incentives and industriousness of capitalism, with the ethics of socialism, with none of the exploitation, economic insecurity (inability to pay rent, food, electric and heat, that drive people to crime in the first place, their inability to pay is what markets dictate, especially for those weaker members who's intellects and abilities are fixed by genetics) and displacement of capitalism.
Einstein saw that market principles are the *cause* of social problems to begin with. He saw other humans for what they were : Backward, ignorant and unethical animals without the will to solve their problems like rational and compassionate human beings, a capitalist idealogy is an idealogy of a 21st century barbarian, a necessary evil of the historical legacy of our inheritance of our ancestors.
Mark twain was correct in that human beings are a race of cowards and fools, at least at the present time. Once in a while you get a great mind like einstein who see's through the utter backwardness and degeneracy of the times we live in, while millions of people live in squalor while the rich live in the perfect oasis of power, an orgy of excess of riches and armed security, with society to do their bidding. In more ancestral societies, such rich people would be killed and burned alive for not sharing their opportunity and resources with those of the rest of the group and their societies.
Summary: Get to know the man behind the science!!!
Comment: +++++
This fascinating book contains brief writings of physicist Albert Einstein (1879 to 1955), one of the most creative intellects of the twentieth century. It contains articles from early in his career until his last writings of 1954. All works were gathered under the supervision of Einstein himself.
This book gives a comprehensive and personal portrait of the man behind the scientific legend. It contains the most important items from three important books of articles, speeches, statements, and letters by Einstein. These important books are: "The World As I see It" (1934), "Out of My Later Years" (1950), and "Mein Weltbild" (1953). As well, there are a few selections from other publications.
Finally, this book is divided into five parts. Below I will give the titles of each part as well as other relevant information concerning each part. Note that I will use the word "article" to denote a speech, letter, essay, etc.
(1) Ideas and Opinions (contains about 45 articles). This is the only part that has sub-sections of which there are five: General Section (untitled); About Freedom; About Religion; About Education; and About Friends. Some of my personal favorite articles in this part are entitled:
(i) The meaning of life (ii) The true value of a human being (iii) On wealth (iv) On academic freedom (v) On freedom (vi) Science and religion and (vii) Education for independent thought. Some of Einstein's friends included Bertrand Russell (philosopher), George Bernard Shaw (playwright), Marie Curie (chemist), Mahatama Gandi, and Max Planck (physicist).
(2) On Politics, Government, and Pacifism (about 35 articles). Note that Einstein was a pacifist (one who opposes the use of force under any circumstances). Six of my favorite articles in this part were:
(i) Peace (ii) Atomic war or peace (iii) The military mentality (iv) Why Socialism? (v) The pursuit of peace and (vi) On the abolition of the threat of war.
(3) On the Jewish People (nearly 15 articles). Note that Einstein was Jewish.
(4) On Germany (5 articles). Einstein who was born in Ulm, Wurttemberg, Germany emigrated to the United Stated in Dec. 1932.
(5) Contributions to Science (about 20 articles). For those that do not have a scientific background, most of these articles are not difficult to understand. Topics Einstein discusses include relativity, theoretical physics, science, and gravitation. As well, Einstein gives tributes to Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler (discovered three laws of planetary motion), James Clerk Maxwell (known especially for his work on electromagnetism), and Copernicus (stated that the Earth revolves around the Sun).
Note that Einstein did win a Nobel Prize but he did not win it for his Theory of Relativity.
In conclusion, this may be the most definitive collection of Albert Einstein's popular writings and enables the reader to get to know the man behind the science!!
(first published 1954; publisher's note; 5 parts or about 120 articles; main narrative 375 pages)
+++++
Customer Rating:
Summary: Einstein was a crazy ol' fool.
Comment: This book is a good read whether you're familiar with Einstein or not. I'd recommend it for everyone, especially for those of you that are vehemently opposed to socialist "Ideas & Opinions," because you'll get a kick out of this...or you'll just kick it. Because after you read this, you'll be surprised we didn't throw the old man in jail during the second red scare.
Other than socialism, this book will also help you realize just how ironic Einstein's life was:
1)As a zealous Pacifist, Einstein is indirectly responsible for the construction of the most destructive military weapon ever conceived.
2)Despite his disapproval of the idolization and worship of icons, Einstein is now the face of science & intelligence.
3)Although he had no religious doctrine (Unless you consider Newton's Principia to be the Pantheist's Bible), he stubbornly opposed the implications of quantum theory as if they went against God him/her/it self. *This irony isn't quite as obvious from this book as it is from others on the subject of entanglement.
I don't know if this review will be helpful or not, but I felt compelled to write one after reading some of the other reviewers who thought that he should've "Stuck to Science." But I disagree, a great mind shouldn't stick to anything, but only become more & more involved in everything so that they may help us avoid the pitfalls brought about by our own ignorance. He didn't have a great mind for science, but for logical analysis in general, isn't that what makes a genius?
Nevertheless, at least we all recognize Einstein for the genius that he was, just as we recognize Jesus for the same. Now we just need to start taking their advice.
And if Einstein should've stuck to science, Jesus should've stuck to carpentry.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Vividly holistic look at Einstein's mind
Comment: 'Ideas & Opinions' gathered an excellent collection of short essays & letters written by Einstein, which covers subjects such as: politics, government, human rights, & (of course) science. The writings provide an intimate & holistic glimpse at Einstein's thinking process & personal philosophy. What interest me most among these writings are those that reveal Einstein's philosophical perspectives (such as about religion, war & peace); & more interestingly, how these perspectives are rationally formulated & concisely crystalized.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Ideas And Opinions
Comment: I have not nor will I have time to read this book for some time, although I hear it is good
Customer Rating:
Summary: Beware uncritical capitalists, superior intellect ahead
Comment: Before I begin, I was mainly interested in this book for everything besides einsteins views on science.
I acknowledge the necessity of capitalism but there are definitely social problems that cannot be solved by it, and any new solutions to societies social problems will because of hard work and technology of dedicated people, and not because of the idealogy. There are severe defects in market economies that cannot be overcome by capitalist market principles. I see enough people on disability and minimum wage everday to know that markets are fundamentally broken when it comes to the weakest in society and the insane pace of inventions and technologies making workers skills obselete. Then on top of that competing with other countries who have extremely cheap workers, genetic limitations on peoples potential and ability to increase their market value in modern economies, etc.
Einstein was truly a brilliant, caring and remarkable man. He has the hallmark of all true intellectuals and truly rational men: He saw that crime and violence and the disruption of economic security of societies weakest members caused by capitalism, as form of brutish ignorance of a backward, unthinking and animalistic minds of those in power that endorse it's doctrine.
Almost all superior intellects acknowledge the problems of market principles and market economies and how they cause economic insecurity, and the degenerate people that endorse and run them. See William James Sidis and Boris sidis realized this as well, James was a child prodigy, and his father was also genius of a man.
Obviously einstein never gave much insight into the kinds of solutions he would implement but he saw the fundamental problems: Those in power keep getting stronger and the rest of society gets their jobs and economic security (i.e. secure in their ability to obtain food, housing, clothes and a roof over their head) displaced constantly as new inventions keep displacing or devaluing their work or other countries with different currency valuations and emormous oversupply of workers keep devaluing their work, wages, and purchasing power.
In modern capitalism the strong get stronger, and the weaker have to worry about losing their wellbeing or ability to afford housing and food while living and when older. Many other ancestral societies would be turning in their graves at how stupid modern people are who live under the boot of capitalism when applied to human and social needs of societies weakest members.
The basic ability ro obtain food, cloth yourself and have a roof over your head should be *gauranteed for all*, no one really owns planet earth, people just love to believe other people own things. What a barbaric and backward system it is invented and designed by the brutish animal minds of those that came before us, einstein saw through the swiss cheeze thinking two faced apologists of capitalism, he knew that you cannot eliminate "poverty", since poverty was a requirement of capitalism to begin with, who would scrub your toilets, be your waiters and clean your hotel rooms, if poverty was not a constant *feature* built into the capitalist system?
As if 'poverty' was caused by something other then humans lack of ethics and ability to share food and responsibility to collectively maintain, build, and produce the necessities that enable them to live secure and then share them with one another. Einstein strikes right at the heart of the cause of 'social problems' in market economies: Market and market principles. He saw that markets can solve some problems very well but not others, he wanted a society that had the incentives and industriousness of capitalism, with the ethics of socialism, with none of the exploitation, economic insecurity (inability to pay rent, food, electric and heat, that drive people to crime in the first place, their inability to pay is what markets dictate, especially for those weaker members who's intellects and abilities are fixed by genetics) and displacement of capitalism.
Einstein saw that market principles are the *cause* of social problems to begin with. He saw other humans for what they were : Backward, ignorant and unethical animals without the will to solve their problems like rational and compassionate human beings, a capitalist idealogy is an idealogy of a 21st century barbarian, a necessary evil of the historical legacy of our inheritance of our ancestors.
Mark twain was correct in that human beings are a race of cowards and fools, at least at the present time. Once in a while you get a great mind like einstein who see's through the utter backwardness and degeneracy of the times we live in, while millions of people live in squalor while the rich live in the perfect oasis of power, an orgy of excess of riches and armed security, with society to do their bidding. In more ancestral societies, such rich people would be killed and burned alive for not sharing their opportunity and resources with those of the rest of the group and their societies.