Rating: 
Summary: An interesting ride
Review: While this may not be the greatest book you will ever read, it has some fascinating moments. There is a real nonchanlant macabreness in the way the brain is handled. I also found some interesting perspectives on how possessions can come to possess our lives.
Rating:
Summary: Driving Mr. Albert is "Driven"
Review: It made for a great Birthday present.Upos reading this little novel, which I found to be most interesting, I started to read this book, perhaps in hopes of finding something that I had not yet learned in reading other Einstein books. I was pleasantly surprised to find this intriging story about a very strange and peculiar pathologist, who I supposed was looking for a way out of having to hold on to such a priced posession, as Einstein's Brain. I strongly recommend this little book, for any Einstein enthusiast.
Rating:
Summary: What a long, strange trip this was!
Review: When I first heard about this book, I thought it was one of those weird, stream of consciousness stories, so when I discovered that yes, the pathologist who autopsied Einstein *had* taken possession of his brain, and yes, Paterniti *did* travel cross country with the now-elderly pathologist and brain, I just had to read it for myself! The book itself, like the situation, defies easy categorization. I found it to be at its best as Paterniti describes the travels and visits cross country with the likes of William Burroughs and crazed night clerks for Days Inn. He peppers the travelogue with details about the previous owner of the brain in the trunk, Albert Einstein, which were also interesting, particularly in the context of the journey. I did not feel especially drawn to the ramblings and philosophizing Paterniti sometimes felt the need to include, but was willing to go along for that ride to see where the rest of the journey would take me. Most compelling is his portrait of the pathologist, Dr. Thomas Harvey. At turns irritated with his quirks and fascinated by him, he paints the doctor as a somewhat eccentric but gentle octogenarian. He handles his near-obsession with the desire to actually see the brain in question with as much dignity as this whole crazy scenario will allow. If you enjoy the genre of "truth is stranger than fiction," you will find "Driving Mr. Albert" as living up to this category of non-fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A New Category of Literature
Review: I read this book as part of research that I was conducting, and expected to find a purely scientific dissertation regarding the genius surrounding Albert Einstein. I was surprised to find it read more like a novel. It started out describing the autopsy of Mr. Einstein graphically, and from there it seemed more like a Q. Terrantino film. I suppose I have not seen such fluid, excellent writing in a biography-travel-narrative hybrid nonfiction work, but I was entertained at the unexpected style. It's good to read a book that is not permeated with corporate pressures, as when a book has been given a deadline and forces the author to speed up against his wishes. "Driving Mr. Albert..." is a fresh new work to the ranks of otherwise dull biographies, and I dare not spoil it by telling of the journey. Excellent reading. Recommended for readers over 15.
Rating:
Summary: Wacky and fantastic!
Review: Not quite Fear and Loathing with Einstein's Brain, but close. This book features an interesting and unique twist to the normal road trip travel tale. Although occasionally slow and meandering, it takes the reader on an interesting journey through the histories of the author, his traveling companion and Albert Einstein.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Idea With Less than Genius Execution
Review: Not knowing about the controversy surrounding Einstein's autopsy, I was immediately gripped by the fascinating background behind this unlikely road adventure of a journalist and has-been doctor/scientist. The opening pages give promise of an enlightening and amusing book. The bare bones Einstein information is deftly outlined as the journey unfolds. However, soon Paterniti attempts (perhaps admirably)to connect his fairly mundane relationship issues to the Einstein mystique, and it seems at times he's grasping at straws. The further along he travels he extends his extrapolation to musings about just about everything, that came across to me as at best, besides the point. At times the "Whoa, man" style revelations become so intense you can faintly smell the whiff of dorm room marijuana coming off the page. And, forgive me for asking this, but why couldn't they have taken a plane?
Rating: 
Summary: At 34 years old I finally understand relativity!
Review: From the minute I heard what this book was about, I was drawn in. Yea, we've all read the books that preach that it's the journey that matters, not the destination, but this one is so smart, quirky, and heartfelt that it stands out. Paterniti has achieved what I look for in a novel--layers of elements that pull together into one great story. The layers here are history, fact, humor, and philosophy. Paterniti is a good writer because he doesn't try to answer all of his own questions--he has faith in his readers to draw their own conclusions. I'll definitely look for more articles and books from this particular chauffer.
Rating:
Summary: America's Love Affair with Einstein continues
Review: This book is funny. There is no doubt in my mind that the author's roadtrip with Einstein's brain and the pathologist who removed it is equal to Hunter S. Thompson's ground breaking road trip "Fear and Loathling in Las Vegas". Einstein is a cottage industry in this country simply because he was the quintisential genius; the smartest man, the highest IQ, the look and that hair. And who doesn't know that E=MC2 -- even if they are unsure what it means. Michael Paterniti extends the roadtrip genre one more time in crisscrossing the country with probably the most unusual cargo yet. Funny? Yes. Original? Yes. Bizarre? You bet. My one caveat is that the book is probably best read by fans of Einstein. I would also suggest Alan Lightman's Einstein's Dreams and Who Got Einstein's Office -- the first a serious look, the second an irrevrent look at Einstein.
Rating: 
Summary: Driving Mr. Albert
Review: Do not recommend this book at all. I liken my finishing this one to craning my neck to see just how bad the accident on the road was. Mr. Paterniti has a fine writing style, but the content of this book -- yikes! Do I really want to know that when "Mike" woke up in the morning that he flossed his teeth? Or that he phoned his girlfriend and she wasn't home. Or that he phoned her again and she wasn't home. While the characters could have been interesting (particularly Harvey)Paterniti's portrayal of them were not at all endearing, but instead sarcastic and somewhat demeaning. And I didn't find it one bit believable that Harvey touched a spot in Paterniti's heart (as was somewhat eluded to in the end). Not much to grab the reader in this book. I found the little blurbs (& there wasn't much of them) concerning Einstein's life most interesting. What I really should have been reading instead of this book was a biography on Einstein. Good luck to Michael Paterniti with his future projects.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: I expected Driving Mr. Albert to be more of a reflection or retropsective about Albert Einstein. I expected to learn a lot about Albert Einstein, his philosophies, his family, his contributions to society, little-known facts, etc.. Instead, it was in my opinion a fairly bland recollection of Mr. Paterniti's trip with the doctor and the brain. I'm sure it was an interesting trip for Mr. Paterniti, but it wasn't too interesting or insightful for me. My expectations were much different...
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