Customer Reviews

Einstein on Race and Racism

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a timely, fascinating and important read about the common ground between Albert Einstein and members of the African American community of Princeton, NJ in the 40's. This book should be a requirement in every public library and recommended reading in many college & high school history curriculums. The example of fearlessness of Einstein, Robeson, DuBois and others in their activism against racism in America and abroad is one that needs to be emulated in today's society... if change is to come. The authors, Jerome and Taylor have produced and excellent literary work.

This book presents a revealing, fascinating and compelling side of Albert Einstein relative to the Black community. The story is totally unknown and undocumented anywhere else. It provides an example of how racism is treated in our society. Denial of the existence of racism and overlooking the impact of the problem will never lead to a appropriate way to address, and certainly not solve the reprecussions suffered because of racism.It is an impotant work that should awaken a sleeping society.

I never would have thought of the genius Albert Einstein to be concerned about race, but apparently he was, as Jerome and Taylor have carefully documented. I'm glad to know that the great cultural icon, Einstein, was more than a mathematician and physicist, he was a concerned citizen of the world. Perhaps we all can examine ourselves closer as we explore our views on race and racism in our society today. This book could be an excellent teaching tool for an honors or AP course in history for high school students, or for a political science course in college.
Good and insightful information.

This volume is a tremendous piece of writing on a subject little known to the general public. It's an important contribution that adds to Einstein's genious, his humanity, his sense of justice for all people living in the narrow straits of prejudice.

It's authors have done a permanent service for both Paul Robeson and Einstein, Princton's African American community and the history of a period probably hidden from view on purpose.

Einstein on Race and Racisn by Jeerome and Taylor should be required reading for high school, college and the general public. It's just that important.

Reading this, I certainly discovered a great deal about the history of Princeton (the town and the university), J. Edgar Hoover (scary guy), and Albert Einstein (a true giant as both scientist and human being). I can't understand why the *Publishers Weekly* review was so snarky, in fact, implying that Einstein was an unconscious bigot. That is not the picture that emerges in this quite well-documented presentation. The book definitely contributes to our knowledge of the best-known thinker of our times, a man prevented from working on the Manhattan Project because of his liberal views.

I've always personally felt Einstein to be a genius and much more than popular thought gave him credit for as an individual (being a fellow "gifted introvert" myself). I have this quote of his which I love and which is my favorite quote of all time:"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds". Now I know what he was talking about (WINK). On a more serious note-this book is good because history is always taught from such a narrow perspective- like what is in the history books about Nazi Germany or the Civil Rights Movement. The same information recycled over and over again like some conspiracy of silence- not inspiring us or truly enlightening us (which is the purpose of REAL education). The pages of this book offers a miraculously fresh perspective to history- bringing it to life and showing it to be more nuanced and complicated. EVERYONE is implicated.The so-called "black experience" is central to our understanding of the world and permeates every aspect of social organisation as we understand it today. People who enjoy miraculously new perspectives might like to read: The African Presence in Early Asia/ Early Europe by Ivan Van Sertima, Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation by John Hobson and The Destruction of Black Civilisation by Chancellor Williams.

A friend of mine told me about the book. I was very pleased to find someone had asked one the most brilliant minds his views on race. I am impressed and very grateful for the observations of Mr. Einstein. I hope others will read and learn how riduculous the idea of racial superiority or inferiority has affected millions of people.

Members of Turning Pages Book Club found,"Einstein On Race and Racism" to be written with historical facts that truly show the compassion and contstant activism, of the genius we know as " Albert Einstein". This is a part of American history regarding the African American community and "Einsteins" involvement and friendships,that has somehow been deleted, lost or left out of history, until this book; which should be required reading of all school age children age 12-adulthood.
The setting for this book is while "Einstein" was living and teaching at the prestigious "Princeton University" and the surrounding township which during this era was very,very racist;however, this book shows an entirely different light on the way American has portrayed "Einstein" and how he viewed "racism".This book has shown us a positive part of history from an era that was very negative and demoralizing for African Americans.
Einstein On Race and Racism, details his close friendships with everyday,African American people on his journeys through the Princeton neighborhood along with controversial African Americans such as, Paul Roberson and W.E.B.Du Bois who constantly fought against the racial injustices during their era.
Albert Einstein is well know for his humanitarian efforts, through his speeches,lectures to the world; now it will be known through this excellently researched book, that "Einstein" also constantly fought against racism throughout the world!