100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

๐ŸŽ‰ Meet Toy Hero - our brand-new toy store, built by the team behind Book Hero

Einstein's War

How Relativity Conquered Nationalism and Shook the World
4.22 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 448 ratings, 73 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In 1916, British astronomer Arthur Eddington received a letter from the then-obscure German physicist Albert Einstein containing the equations of general relativity. Einstein's War reveals how, despite the division and turmoil of WWI, the two men on opposite sides of the conflict helped bring about a scientific revolution. Rather than a sudden flash of inspiration, the book traces the decade-long, painstaking process of creating relativity, culminating in Eddington's 1919 expedition that confirmed the theory. Using previously unknown sources and written like a thriller, it celebrates how international collaboration overcame bigotry and nationalism in the pursuit of knowledge.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Einstein's War. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers fascinated by the history of science, biographical narratives of great thinkers, and those interested in the intersection of scientific discovery with world history. Also recommended for aficionados of engaging, well-researched science thrillers and anyone curious about the origins of Einstein's fame.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

How an unknown German and an Englishman on opposite sides of WWI created a scientific revolution

In 1916, Arthur Eddington, a war-weary British astronomer, opened a letter written by an obscure German professor named Einstein. The neatly printed equations on the scrap of paper outlined his world-changing theory of general relativity. Until then, Einstein's masterpiece of time and space had been trapped behind the physical and ideological lines of battle, unknown.

Einstein's name is now synonymous with 'genius', but it was not an easy road. He spent a decade creating relativity and his ascent to global celebrity owed much to against-the-odds international collaboration, including Eddington's globe-spanning expedition of 1919โ€”two years before they finally met. We usually think of scientific discovery as a flash of individual inspiration, but here we see it is the result of hard work, gambles and wrong turns.

Einstein's War is a celebration of what science can offer when bigotry and nationalism are defeated. Using previously unknown sources and written like a thriller, it shows relativity being built brick-by-brick in front of us, as it happened 100 years ago.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"Riveting . . . Stanley lets us share the excitement a hundred years later in this entertaining and gripping book. It's a must read if you ever wondered how Einstein became 'Einstein'" โ€“ Manjit Kumar, author of Quantum

"Deeply researched and profoundly absorbing . . . an amazing story" โ€“ Michael Frayn, author of Tony Award-winning Copenhagen

"This beautifully written, moving account captures the heady thrills and crushing setbacks of one of the great intellectual adventures of modern times" โ€“ David Kaiser, MIT Professor and author of How the Hippies Saved Physics

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241985618

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 278g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Matthew Stanley is professor of the history of science at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. He has published two academic books and has written for Physics Today, Physics World and the Los Angeles Review of Books. He has a podcast, What the If?!?, and has appeared on documentaries on the History Channel, BBC and NPR. This is his first trade book.

More from Uncategorised

View all
  • Gift Wrap
    Transform any book into the perfect gift with Book Hero's premium gift wrap! Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply surprising a loved one, our gift wrap adds an extra layer of excitement to your thoughtful gesture. Features: Elegant Design: Our gift wrap features a timeless design that complements any book, making it ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any...
    From Free
    (3)
  • Shadows of Navarre (Fourth Wing) Bookmark
    Rebecca Yarros reignited the romantasy genre with the release of Fourth Wing (2023), the first book in her Empyrean series. Centered around 20-year-old dragon-rider recruit Violet Sorrengail, the series defies traditional fantasy tropes by offering readers a female hero who is both formidable and deeply human.
    Miscellaneous print
    $795
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Tell Your Life Story
    Everyone has a life story. This is your chance to share yours. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Everyone has a life story. This is your chance to share yours. Leave a legacy with this guided journal to sharing your cherished memories, hard-earned wisdom, and proudest achievements. From bestselling creator of the Hear Your Story series Jeffrey Mason, Tell Your...
    Paperback
    $2099
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Hunger Code
    From the author of the multi-million-copy bestseller The Obesity Code comes The Hunger Code. For generations, we've accepted the story that weight loss never lasts - that as soon as you go off your diet or stop taking your medication you will revert to your old self and regain weight, and the dieting journey will start all over again. But...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Shadows of Navarre (Fourth Wing) Midi Lined Hardcover Journal
    Rebecca Yarros reignited the romantasy genre with the release of Fourth Wing (2023), the first book in her Empyrean series. Centered around 20-year-old dragon-rider recruit Violet Sorrengail, the series defies traditional fantasy tropes by offering readers a female hero who is both formidable and deeply human.
    Hardback
    $3295
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Kara-ori (Japanese Kimono) Bookmark
    Showcasing silk dyed with beni (the pigment extracted from safflower petals) and lacquered in gold, this kimono design dates to the Edo period (1615โ€“1868), when it was used as a costume for the theatrical style known as Noh. Kara-ori refers specifically to the exquisitely embroidered women's kimono that traditional Noh theatre was known for.
    Miscellaneous print
    $795
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Dazzas Cooked
    This book is a celebration of Darrenโ€™s biggest hits, the recipes that put Ashby Pies on the map. Inside Dazzaโ€™s Cooked you will find chapters including: โ€“ Pies: beef cheek and cheese, roast lamb and rosemary, smoked fish pie.โ€“ Corner Bakery: bacon, beer and cheese scones, cinnamon buns, apple turnovers.โ€“ Snacks: sticky chicken nibbles, fish crudo, lamb ribs.โ€“ Meat: pork...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Magic of Wicked (Wicked Collection) Bookmark
    Miscellaneous print
    $750
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Kim A Journey Between Worlds
    Born Mฤori (Ngฤtikahungunu), raised Pakeha, Kim Rangiaonui Logan's father was commander in D Company, 8th Mฤori Battalion, but returned from war a damaged man, unable to cope with his children. But this is no misery memoir. Kim climbed away, literally - Everest, Aorangi Mt Cook, anywhere, to love and contentment, and in the process reconnected with his Whakapapa. Now living...
    Paperback
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 2025 New Zealand Cricket Almanack
    The 78th edition of the New Zealand Cricket Almanack, and the 43rd under the current editors, covers a year of almost non-stop activity for New Zealand teams. The Black Caps were involved in 36 matches during that period, with the historic 3-0 test series win in India being the undoubted highlight. They also took part in series in Sri Lanka...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • What We Did to Survive
    A vacation in paradise turns deadly when four teens' sailing charter hits stormy seas in this propulsive new thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Megan Lally! What We Did to Survive follows Hannah, who can't wait to spend spring break with her best friend, Emmy, and her family. A week at a resort in Mexico is...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Meeting Place
    Paperback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.