EINSTEIN IN AMERICA

by Jamie Sayen ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1985

This gracious first book examines Einstein's final years, from his arrival in the early '30s in an ascending Hitler's wake to his death in 1955. An air of apologia pro at vita (with the accent on the vita political) prevails, clearly intended to defend against the myth, malice and misconception that had Einstein fathering the atomic bomb, defending the Soviet Union and espousing communism. Too, there are the disclosures of the lack of trust (hence security clearance) on the part of officials like Vannevar Bush; the not unexpected right-wing (and later FBI) paranoia that resulted in early moves to keep Einstein out of the country, and later ones that brought official surveillance. Princeton writer Sayen makes clear that Einstein's scientific achievements are not his concern. In the opinion of his peers, Einstein's greatest work had been done in the first two decades of the century (the explanation of the photoelectric effect and the relativity theory). His later career was spent in continued dispute re the quantum theory and his dogged pursuit of unified field theories. Sayen's account instead provides a well-developed portrait of the aging scholar settling in in Princeton and joining the new Institute of Advanced Studies. The rhythm of his days is cadenced by walks and desk works, by his violin and amiable chats with friends, in evening read-alouds of the classics with sister Maja. Corrected here is the image of Einstein as the naive dupe of left-wing causes. Instead, Einstein is revealed in angry dispute with the founders of Brandeis University, with various Zionist factions, with innumerable people who tried to use his name and influence. The story of the exchange with FDR over the atom bomb is retold, as is Einstein's strong opposition to its use; his unforgiving mind-set about Germany; his repeated assertion that his nationality was Jewish. Einstein's youth, his unhappy marriages and estrangement from his sons unfold as part of the narrative; clearly he knew he had emotional shortcomings. But what emerges most strongly is his belief in reason and in the wonder of nature, his absolute commitment to a moral idealism that would make him an eternal outsider to realpolitik. Some well-traveled ground, but enough fresh material (and well-told) to add to the lore.

Pub Date: July 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION