Re writing history

If you follow the author's instructions and look up the Einstein papers at Princeton you will find the that the author has reinvented history to match what she would like it to be and not as it was. In the book she leads us to believe that Albert Einstein showed no interest in his first child, But if you read his letter dates Feb 4 1902 he states "what kind of little eyes does she have? Whom of us two does she resemble more? Who is giving her milk? Is she hungry? I love her so much & I don't even know her yet! Couldn't she be photographed once you are totally healthy again?...." Those are not the word of a man who is bitter for having fathered a child.
Ms. Benedict's disregard for the facts over and over in this story made it difficult for me. Mileva Maric is an interesting person. Ms. Benedict did not need to "make up ideas" about what happened (the idea for which the book is based has been proven untrue). Ms. Benedict would have paid Ms. Maric a great tribute by telling the story of her inspiring accomplishments instead of creating a work that is total fiction.

84 people found this helpful

Fascinating story, great narration

Marie Benedict's The Other Einstein was a fascinating read, and one that is significantly adding to my TBR pile--with nonfiction, for a change! (Lots of great suggestions in the author's note at the end--thanks, Ms. Benedict!)

The author freely admits that her book is a fictionalization of Mileva Maric Einstein's life and that she makes use of much speculation (especially with regards to exactly how much of a contribution the first Mrs. Einstein made to her husband's famous Theory of Relativity--I'd love to think that her version is the truth, but it's probably a bit of a stretch and I doubt it could ever be proved), and as such I kind of hoped that Albert wasn't as much of a, well, b@stard as he seems to be in the book. Though I can still hope that at least one pretty jarring scene is completely fictional, Princeton University has been kind enough to publish volumes of Einstein's writings and correspondence and their English translations online, and I've now read the memorandum myself that made me gasp out loud when I read that part of the book (18 July 1014, Memorandum to Mileva Einstein-Maric, with comments in Volume 8--don't read it until after you've read the book, though!) and then the next few letters after that one, and...just whoa. I'm not sure I'll ever hear the name "Albert Einstein" again and be able to think purely happy thoughts about him. How can a man be so scientifically brilliant and so spectacularly not brilliant in his personal life?

(Interesting side note from the letters, not the book, since Mileva wouldn't have known this: Albert wouldn't let his second wife/cousin(!) Elsa be there when he spent time with his sons from his first marriage, because "it is not right to have the children see their father with a woman other than their own mother" yet he had no such scruples about divorcee Elsa's children from her first marriage spending time with their mother and a man who wasn't their own father...double-standard much? Oh, and just to really make it next to impossible to look up to him as a father figure and husband--he apparently briefly considered proposing to Elsa's 20-year-old daughter Ilsa instead... Yeah. He's a prince among men. But a brilliant scientist.)

Anyway.

Though the story was a bit slow in parts, overall I quite enjoyed it. I look forward to both reading more about Mileva (and her children!) and more from Ms. Benedict in the future. The narration was excellent; I much preferred having someone else do all of that fancy pronouncing rather than me butchering it in my head ;)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

44 people found this helpful

This book is something you want in your library for life!!

Like many of us, I totally forgot that Albert Einstein had a wife early in his life. She was pushed to the background by society yet she was willing to push back ! A brilliant mathematics and physics scholar. I absolutely admire this remarkable woman!
I was disappointed in Einstein as a person..but I do believe he had some form of Autism which could explain his inability to sustain a relationship unless it was in the context of science.

44 people found this helpful

Great performance, compelling listen but...

Look, I get that Einstein was a terrible husband to both of his wives. But this book made him a monster in the name of fiction, and there is just no evidence he thought or behaved in some of the ways he was given to in this book. With no known history of what happened to Liesl, why make him so cold and cruel about her? Yes, their divorce was ugly (as many are!) but why make it physical? Women are incredible, and I've no doubt Mileva was an incredible woman. But this book makes everyone so one sided: Mileva a put upon angel, Einstein a monster.... and that just isn't necessary or interesting in historical fiction. Life is complicated, and so are people. But this story telling was not.

28 people found this helpful

interesting story but may not be true

well told, but when I checked. a very bias viewpoint, listen to it but question accuracy

12 people found this helpful

Thoughtfully written

If you like historical fiction, this is a great book for you. Beautifully written. You may get emotional when reading this, you may get upset but just like all great books, it will make you reexamine what history has always told you about life and reexamine how you see your life as well.

24 people found this helpful

Behind every great man... is an incredible story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Other Einstein to be better than the print version?

The narrator did an amazing job with this book. I would recommend it over print

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Other Einstein?

when Albert told Mileva that she is always trying to undermine him at the most important times in his life, and eluded to the fact that she had their first baby ON PURPOSE just to spite hime. That was such an outrageous claim

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Alot of the book moved me. This amazing woman who sacrificed so much due to what life, and the man she loved, dealt to her...she was never recognized for her brilliance and that is especially saddening.

Any additional comments?

I could not stop listening to this audiobook. I finished it in a day and a half. I would recommend to those who find this book as outstanding as I did to check out the show GENIUS on National Geographic Channel. The actress who plays Mileva on that show I think does an excellent job, especially after reading this book. I think that, although some scenes may have exaggerated in this book, the book in its totality seems pretty close to fact.

9 people found this helpful

A pleasant surprise.

I normally would not choose this genre for my reading pleasure but took the plunge on the suggestion of a close friend. Boy am I glad! So good that I couldn’t stop until I finished it ..I binged on it all day and thoroughly loved every minute of it. Really a good read!

4 people found this helpful

Heart Breaking

This is a heart Breaking story of a woman trapped in a life she never should have lived. very well written.

4 people found this helpful

An outstanding read... hard to put down!

I highly recommend this book. Although a work of fiction, its fact-based account of Einstein's treatment of his first wife was often astonishing.

4 people found this helpful