Albert Einstein (DK Biography) (Paperback)

by Frieda Wishinsky (Author) "Albert Einstein came from a family of merchants, skilled workers, and shopkeepers who had lived in small towns and villages in southwest Germany for many..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
DK¹s acclaimed DK Biography series tackles two of history¹s most colorful figures in Harry Houdini and Albert Einstein. Perfect for book reports or summer reading, the DK Biography series brings a new clarity and narrative voice to history¹s most colorful figures.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756612470
• ISBN-13: 978-0756612474
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,899 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Einstein, Albert
  #32 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Science & Technology
  #37 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Physics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Short Biography, December 25, 2005

By	Reviewer (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

My 5th grade son read this for a book report. It was a very good introduction to Einstein's life and the social and political environment that surrounded him. As with other DK books, this one has many photos -- of Einstein, the places he lived or studied, and of other historical figures that were an influence on his life. The many illustrations tend to catch the reader's eye and thereby draw the reader into the narrative. The biography includes the difficulties of his childhood and his later personal life and paints a very human picture of what otherwise is an icon of science. My son was impressed that Einstein was an indifferent student who cut many of his classes and was considered by his teachers as a "lazy dog." Yet, he later succeeded in solving some of the greatest challenges in physics. In other words, a person's talents as an adult are not necessarily predicted by success (or lack thereof) in school.

There are appropriately simple explanations of Einstein's principal papers (which a non-scientist adult reader would find illuminating) and good anecdotes of the circumstances in which he got his ideas. Take, for example, this passage about his conception of the Equivalence Principle: " 'I was sitting on a chair in my patent office in Bern. Suddenly, a thought struck me: If a man falls freely he would not feel his weight. I was taken aback.' . . . This led him to conclude that gravity (the force of the earth's pull on all objects) and acceleration (the force of an object falling freely) are equivalent."

4th/5th graders might find the writing in the book a little advanced and adults will find this a fascinating quick read. A real bargain at $4.99.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Albert Einstein Life, February 16, 2006

A Kid's Review

This book is very interesting. It is all about Alberts life, from when he was born till when he died. This is a very advanced book. Every single moment of this book will have you hanging on the edge of your seat.
One thing that I thought was really cool in this book was how he helped on the atomic bomb for world war one and world war two. A reason why I think you should read this book because Albert Einstein was a very interesting man and he had a very interesting life. That is why I think you should read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding biography for young people!, June 8, 2006

By	A reviewer "A reader" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

I just finished reading Albert Einstein, and I rushed over to post this review. This is an outstanding entry in a fine series. The author, Frieda Wishinsky, really makes you understand Albert Einstein both as a scientist and as a human being. Her clear yet thoughtful text lets readers explore the contradictions of a brilliant man--and still shows Einstein as a towering giant of the 20th century. Great book, highly recommended!