This is a great book about Einstein and how science gets done, or sometimes doesn’t get done. As for Big Al’s eccentricities and quirks, I would sum them up as being a combination of self-indulgence and a great work ethic. That is not so rare, but the way Einstein carried it off created a peculiar stereotype for scientists that often hits the mark.

No doubt it was very well researched, and includes new details uncovered from Einstein’s letters recently made available for the public. Very well written, and Isaacson ability to explain complex science is outstanding, although my guess is that more than a bit of basic knowledge of physics is required to fully grasp the scientific discussions of relativity, quantum mechanics and the like.

While there are parts of the discussion of Einstein’s theories that would a tough read for anyone not already grounded in the subject, for the most part, Isaacson makes the science that Einstein helped developed understandable. Most importantly, though, the book isn’t just a history of science, but a history of a very fascinating man.