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Rating: 
Summary: An intimate, personal biography.
Review: I have read several biographies of Einstein, some of which are among my list of all-time favorite books. None however, approach the intimacy or sense of personal connection as Hoffmann and Dukas' 1972 classic "Creator and Rebel." Perhaps because of Helen Dukas' influence, this book contains perhaps the most intimate look at the man and, thanks to Hoffmann, the one of the clearest explanations of his science. Though other biographies are also must-reads for Einstein devotees (Folsing and Frank, for instance), this one goes to the top of my list.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful, but...
Review: In the first chapter the author uses a meeting Albert Einstein had with Charlie Chaplan to criticize the way in which ordinary people have come to worship famous people. Yet a few pages later, page 14 to be exact, the author writes, "...considering little Albert was to become none other than Einstein..." Perhaps I interpreted this statement wrong, but it seems as if the author is falling into the very hero-worship that he attacked earlier. I don't know. I am aware that Einstein had a certain philosophy regarding the correct way to write a biography, but this book was extremely dry. I was constantly reminded that I'm reading this for a physics class. Zzzz.....
Rating:
Summary: Insightful, but...
Review: In the first chapter the author uses a meeting Albert Einstein had with Charlie Chaplan to criticize the way in which ordinary people have come to worship famous people. Yet a few pages later, page 14 to be exact, the author writes, "...considering little Albert was to become none other than Einstein..." Perhaps I interpreted this statement wrong, but it seems as if the author is falling into the very hero-worship that he attacked earlier. I don't know. I am aware that Einstein had a certain philosophy regarding the correct way to write a biography, but this book was extremely dry. I was constantly reminded that I'm reading this for a physics class. Zzzz.....
Rating:
Summary: 'like you or me but smarter and better in all ways'
Review: not to say that einstein wasn't exceptionally clever, but i found the tone of this book to be leaning a bit to far to the 'worship einstein as a minor deity' side of things. any potential cause to think less of old albert is glossed over in an unapealing way. the examples that come to mind are the minimal treatment that poincare's accomplishments regarding relativity recieve, and the minimal information on his divorces. i wish the authors had stepped down from the altar of the holy einstein long enough to give him a human treatment. even the title is a bit much. creator and rebel? it would be funny if it weren't sadly earnest.
Rating:
Summary: 'like you or me but smarter and better in all ways'
Review: not to say that einstein wasn't exceptionally clever, but i found the tone of this book to be leaning a bit to far to the 'worship einstein as a minor deity' side of things. any potential cause to think less of old albert is glossed over in an unapealing way. the examples that come to mind are the minimal treatment that poincare's accomplishments regarding relativity recieve, and the minimal information on his divorces. i wish the authors had stepped down from the altar of the holy einstein long enough to give him a human treatment. even the title is a bit much. creator and rebel? it would be funny if it weren't sadly earnest.
Rating: 
Summary: A tour-de-force of the revolutionary physics of 1900-1935
Review: One cannot seperate the man from his work and this biography branches into other people who touched upon A. Einstein as well as his science. The incomparable simplicity of his brilliant thought is driven home in the discussion of AT-LAB and GRAV-LAB. The story may be known or not. It deserves good re-telling. This audio book is well done and special thanks to the reader who handles the math examples (less than a handful) with precise language, grace, and accuracy. My complaint is that the book is too short. I woud have liked more of the interaction with subject in his personal life. But still a solid 8.
Rating:
Summary: Einstein by very close collaborators
Review: Why is this book so good? Its first phrase is:"We sketch in this book the story of a profoundly simple man." This could be done only by friends. And friends the authors are. Banesh Hoffman, a collaborator of Einstein's, happens to be a great writer, possibly the best as books for the layman are concerned. Helen Dukas, the other author, was Einstein's secretary for many years. The book is very beautifully produced, full of nice photographs. Relativity is really explained. A labor of love which deserves much more popularity.
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