The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 9. (English): The Berlin Years: Correspondence, January 1919 - April 1920. (English translation of selected texts) - Softcover

Einstein, Albert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691121249 ISBN 13: 9780691121246

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2004

Synopsis

The present volume, set in the turbulent post-World War I period, finds Einstein awaiting news of the 1919 British eclipse expedition to test the general relativistic prediction of the deflection of starlight by the sun. With the expedition's success, he becomes the first science celebrity of our age. Deeply interested in the other, stellar redshift test of his theory, Einstein supports astronomers engaged in experimental work on the issue. Piqued by early suggestions of a unified field theory, he ponders how to unify gravitation and electromagnetic field theory and also works to resolve contradictions between the new quantum physics and relativity. His open-minded exchanges with colleagues may challenge his later image as the stubborn critic of quantum mechanics.


We see Einstein deeply engaged in discussing social and political issues, participating in humanitarian efforts, and intervening on behalf of intellectuals condemned to death after the fall of the Bavarian Soviet republic. He faced anti-Semitic outbursts, reflected increasingly on his own identity as a Jew and assisted in efforts toward the establishment of the Hebrew University. As an internationalist opponent of war, and a German-speaking Swiss citizen whose renown was sealed by the Englishman Eddington's confirmation of relativity, Einstein mitigated postwar hostility toward German scholars.


Correspondence with family and friends documents his divorce, remarriage to his cousin, and his closeness to his two sons. Notwithstanding evidence in newly uncovered material concerning efforts to lure Einstein back to Switzerland, and also to the Netherlands, Einstein, entertaining high hopes for the young Weimar Republic, remained in Berlin. This volume reveals new facets of Einstein as he constructively participated in German and European scientific, academic, and cultural life.


Since this translation includes only select portions of Volume 9, it is not recommended for purchase without the main volume.

About this title

Review

"This is a real treat. The letters in the latest, brilliantly edited volume of his correspondence here were written around the time the 40-year-old Einstein blossomed from superstar physicist to global celebrity almost overnight, after his general relativity theory was apparently verified. It is fascinating to read how he coped with sudden hounding by press''riff-raff, ' with scoffing anti-Semitic critics, as well as divorce, remarriage and his mother's death. What an extraordinary time, what revealing correspondence."---Graham Farmelo, New Scientist

About the Author

Diana Kormos Buchwald is Associate Professor of History at the California Institute of Technology. Robert Schulmann is a longtime editor of the Einstein Papers. Jozsef Illy, Daniel J. Kennefick, Tilman Sauer, Virginia Iris Holmes, and Ze'ev Rosenkranz are research faculty at the California Institute of Technology. A. J. Kox is Professor of the History of Science at the University of Amsterdam.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691121249
• ISBN 13: 9780691121246
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384