Einstein's Mistakes

The Human Failings of Genius

By: Hans C. Ohanian

Write A Review

Paperback | 1 November 2009 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
418 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
20.82 x 13.96 x 2.54

Paperback

RRP $41.75

$40.99

or 4 interest-free payments of $10.25 with

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

Although Einstein was the greatest genius of the twentieth century, many of his groundbreaking discoveries were blighted by mistakes, ranging from serious errors in mathematics to bad misconceptions in physics and failures to grasp the subtleties of his own creations. This forensic biography dissects Einstein's scientific mistakes and places them in the context of his turbulent life and times. In lively, accessible prose, Hans C. Ohanian paints a fresh, insightful portrait of the real Einstein at work, in contrast to the uncritical celebrity worship found in many biographies. Of the approximately 180 original scientific papers that Einstein published in his lifetime, about 40 are infested with mistakes. For instance, Einstein's first mathematical proof of the famous formula E = mc2 was incomplete and only approximately valid; he struggled with this problem for many years, but he never found a complete proof (better mathematicians did). Einstein was often lured by irrational and mystical inspirations, but his extraordinary intuition about physics permitted him to discover profound truths despite-and sometimes because of-the mistakes he made along the way. He was a sleepwalker: his intuition told him where he needed to go, and he somehow managed to get there without quite knowing how. As this book persuasively argues, the defining hallmark of Einstein's genius was not any special mathematical ability but an uncanny talent to use his mistakes as stepping stones to formulate his revolutionary theories.

Industry Reviews

"Recounts [Einstein's] chronicle of errors in clear and engaging prose, giving us in the process a short course in the history of modern physics and a witty and provocative account of the subject's life." -- Darrin M. McMahon - Wall Street Journal "The book's quixotic approach-retelling Einstein's story by homing in on his blunders-makes for good intellectual entertainment... [It] kept me eagerly turning the pages." -- George Johnson - Los Angeles Times "A wonderful story that is well worth taking the time to read...We get a short course in this history of modern physics, one that is well-written and entertaining as well." -- Alan S. McRae - Mathematical Reviews

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Biographies & True Stories Biographies Science, Technology & Medicine Biographies Science in General History of Science Popular Science Astronomy, Space & Time Cosmology & The Universe

Preface	p. xi
Chronology of Einstein’s Mistakes	p. xiii
Prelude ”I will resign the game“	p. xv
”A lovely time in Berne“	p. 1
”And yet it moves“	p. 34
”If I have seen farther...“	p. 57
”A storm broke loose in my mind“	p. 86
”Motions of inanimate, small, suspended bodies“	p. 108
”What is the Light quantum?“	p. 127
”The argument is jolly and beguiling“	p. 148
”Suddenly, 1 had an idea”	p. 176
”The theory is of incomparable beauty“	p. 204
”The world is a madhouse“	p. 238
”Does God play dice?“	p. 273
”The graveyard of disappointed hopes“	p. 300
Postmortem	p. 330
Notes	p. 339
Bibliography	p. 367
Index	p. 375
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Einstein's Mistakes

The Human Failings of Genius

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Physics

Quantum 2.0

The Past, Present, and Future of Quantum Physics

The Breath of the Gods

The History and Future of the Wind

The Holographic Universe

Black Holes

The key to understanding the universe

The Universe

The Book Of The BBC TV Series Presented By Professor Brian Cox

A Periodic Tale: the bestselling life-long story of Australia's favourite science champion Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, shortlisted for the ABIA Biography

My Sciencey Memoir

More and More and More

An All-Consuming History of Energy

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Just Visiting This Planet

Merlin Answers More Questions about Everything under the Sun, Moon and Stars

The Order of Time

The Elements of Marie Curie

How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Anniversary Edition

Alchemy of Nine Dimensions

Activating the Full Spectrum of Consciousness

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"

Adventures of a Curious Character

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Final book from Stephen Hawking

The Invisible Rainbow

A History of Electricity and Life

Stargazing for Beginners

Explore the Wonders of the Night Sky

The Biggest Ideas in the Universe 2

Quanta and Fields

Quantum Body

The New Science of Living a Longer, Healthier, More Vital Life

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Green and Sustainable Synthesis of Iron Oxide-Based Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications

Metal Oxides

Handbook of Power Electronics in Smart Grids and Intelligent Energy

Biofuel Perspectives

Methanol and Ethanol in Combustion Engines from Production to Practical Application

This product is categorised by