Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein by Abraham Pais

The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein – Since the death of Albert Einstein in 1955 there have been many books and articles written about the man and a number of attempts to “explain” relativity. In this new major work Abraham Pais, himself an eminent physicist who worked alongside Einstein in the post-war years, traces the development of Einstein’s entire oeuvre. This is the first book which deal comprehensively and in depth with Einstein’s science, both the successes and the failures.

Running through the book is a completely non-scientific biography (identified in the table of contents by italic type) including many letters which appear in English for the first time, as well as other information not published before.

Throughout the preparation of this book, Pais has had complete access to the Einstein Archives (now in the possession of the Hebrew University) and the invaluable guidance of the late Helen Dukas–formerly Einstein’s private secretary.

Review from previous edition `A really superb biography of Einstein and all his work. Here, surely, is the biography that Einstein would have wanted. .’ Roger Penrose, Times Higher Education Supplement

`The definitive life of Einstein.’ Brian Pippard, Times Literary Supplement

`A coherent account of almost everything of scientific significance that Einstein did…Unique and indispensable.’ Science

`By far the most important study of both the man and the scientist.’ Paul Davies, New Scientist

`An outstanding biography of Albert Einstein that one finds oneself reading with sheer pleasure.’ Physics Today

`A sympathetic but clear-eyed view of his life and work…examined mainly in his own plentiful papers, supplemented by a remarkably wide list of unusual sources…a fine book.’ Scientific Amrican

`’the best biography of Einstein”
Jim Holt, Wall Street Journal