Einstein in Bohemia

In 1911, Albert Einstein moved to Prague with his family to accept a professorship of theoretical physics. Despite living there for only sixteen months, the city had a significant impact on his personal and scientific life. Einstein's marriage fell apart, he began to explore his Jewish identity, and he worked on general relativity. He also formed lasting friendships with several important figures in Prague, including Max Brod, Hugo Bergmann, and Philipp Frank. "Einstein in Bohemia" is a captivating portrait of the city that changed the course of Einstein's life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In the spring of 1911, Albert Einstein relocated to Prague, the capital of Bohemia, with his wife and two sons, where he accepted a position as a professor of theoretical physics. While he initially intended to make Prague his permanent home, his stay in the city lasted only sixteen months, often being dismissed as a brief and inconsequential chapter in his biographies. However, Einstein in Bohemia offers a captivating portrayal of the city that profoundly impacted Einstein's life in unexpected ways—and of the remarkable young scientist who left an indelible mark on the science, literature, and politics of Prague.

Michael Gordin's narrative is a masterful exploration of a person's encounter with a specific place at a particular moment in time. Despite being steeped in nearly a millennium of history, Einstein's Prague was a relatively peripheral city within the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. Yet, Prague, with its rich history, diverse culture, and profound influence, played a pivotal role in shaping Einstein's personal and scientific journey. It was in this city that his marriage began to unravel, where he delved into profound thoughts about his Jewish identity, and where he embarked on the groundbreaking project of general relativity. Prague also provided Einstein with the opportunity to forge enduring friendships with notable figures such as novelist Max Brod, Zionist intellectual Hugo Bergmann, physicist Philipp Frank, and others.

Einstein in Bohemia sheds valuable light on this transformative phase of Einstein's life and career, vividly bringing to life the enchanting city of Prague in the final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Gordin offers a profound and multifaceted perspective on the city that shaped one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Einstein, history, or the complexities of human existence.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691203829