A Welcome from the Author

[WalterIsaacson]

Dear Readers,

I first became interested in Einstein when I became editor of Time in 1996 and began thinking about who would be our Person of the Century. I realized that science and technology had transformed our century in ways most readers did not fully appreciate.

The best way to get at that was through Albert Einstein. I was working on my biography of Benjamin Franklin at the time. I realized that in his era any educated person could appreciate and even dabble in the wonders of science. But nowadays many people find science intimidating. So I wanted to celebrate the glory of science through a genius we can all relate to. Then I found that the final trove of his papers was going to be released in 2006. So I decided to work on a biography that would come out using those papers.

I am happy to talk about anything from his science to his personal and political life. I find Einstein fascinating. I hope you will as well.

Walter

[neochonetes]

Mr. Isaacson:
I saw your interview on The News Hour, Thursday, April 26, 2007, and I was impressed enough to want to read your book. I appreciate that you consider Albert Einstein a worthy person as the focus of a biography.
I agree with you, I am always amazed that many people do seem to be intimidated by science, but I believe it is because they did not have the many social, educational and civic advantages that people like me, who grew up in the 1950's and 60's, did have. We love science because it was all around us, just look at Miles O'Brien and Lou Dobbs. There are multitudes of their peers, like me, that are similar to them in their love of science and technology.
Thanks, I look forward to listening to the discussion.

[hasenbein]

Mr. Isaacson,

I thoroughly enjoyed your biography on Benjamin Franklin, and I enjoy your participation in historical programs shown on PBS. I'm in the very early pages of the book and have to agree with Einstein on the mathematics bit!

KathyH