Ideas and Opinions [Hardcover]

Albert Einstein (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 12, 1988

IDEAS AND OPINIONS contains essays by eminent scientist Albert Einstein on subjects ranging from atomic energy, relativity, and religion to human rights, government, and economics. Previously published articles, speeches, and letters are gathered here to create a fascinating collection of meditations by one of the world's greatest minds.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

IDEAS AND OPINIONS contains essays by eminent scientist Albert Einstein on subjects ranging from atomic energy, relativity, and religion to human rights, government, and economics. Previously published articles, speeches, and letters are gathered here to create a fascinating collection of meditations by one of the world's greatest minds.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bonanza Books (December 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517003937
• ISBN-13: 978-0517003930
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 133 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Penetrates to the heart and soul of an amazing intellect August 21, 2003

By loce_the_wizard VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Ideas and Opinions" reveals much about the thought processes, culture, and observations that shaped the character of Albert Einstein. In a remarkable series of insightful short prose selections, the reader learns a great deal about Einstein's views on morality and ethics; religion, particularly Judaism; government; the arts, literature, and higher education; philosophy; and government. His personal letters to and observations about other key persons of his time including Shaw, Freud, Gandhi, and Lorentz illustrate what a fully integrated individual Einstein truly was, a view that may counter some of the extreme depictions that render him a genius incapable of focusing beyond his science.

Having some many thoughts from this astounding intellect pulled into one volume makes this book a worthwhile addition to the stack of rainy day books. It's a book to be consumed in fits and starts, with a cup of coffee on the screened porch in the rain, a treat for inquiring minds.

The prose, perhaps a tad stilted by modern standards, is lucid. And seeing Einstein turn his attention on the topic everyone wrangles with forges a new link to him and his work. As he stated, " The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking."

88 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Scientific Perspective December 17, 2000

By Amy

Format:Paperback

Ideas and Opinions expresses a wide range of Einstein's thoughts throughout his life. The subject matter includes comments on freedom, politics, pacifism, education, religion, Germany, friends, and scientific issues. Whereas Einstein had a specific goal in writing each of these addresses, speeches and articles, the editor of this collection by combining Einstein's writings in this manner paints a picture of the man and his time. The most profound impact upon the reader is not the individual message of each writing, but rather how the whole body of work illuminates the dedication and fierce determination of one scientist to make himself a "harmonious personality" (64). One of the features of this collection is that it attempts to present each article in a straightforward manner. Each article is titled by what it attempts to say, for example one article is called "My First Impressions of the U.S.A." (3). This accurately reflects what Einstein says in this article, but so much more than what this title describes is also reflected in the essay. Einstein's political attitudes are best expressed not in his many essays on politics, government and pacifism, but instead in his First Impressions of America. One of his many observations is that "nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced" (6). Understanding this aspect is of immeasurable value when encountering Einstein's essay where he prescribes a program of action against atomic weapons. The greatest fault of this compilation is that it tends to be repetitive. However, this often helps to drive home the point and complete the overall picture of this man and his time. This text should be read by all persons everywhere. No other collection could possibly contain a better view of America, international relations, scientific issues and advances, religion, and humanity. For use in Honors Science, only certain readings would enhance the goal of the course, but including them would be invaluable not only for scientific perspective, but for an enriched experience of life itself.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking July 1, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

It really suprises me that we were'nt given a chance in highschool to read directly this brilliant man's work. What astounds me most is Einstein's self-chosen, highly principled, ethical force of being-- besides being a revolutionary scientist. All that-- and he was far from self-righteous. Reminds me in parts of Jiddu Krishnamurti's pondering as well.