The World as I See It

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 3,230 ratings

Price: 23.88

Last update: 10-11-2024


About this item

In the aftermath of the First World War, Albert Einstein wrote about his hopes for the League of Nations, his feelings as a German citizen among the growing anti-Semitism and nationalism of his country, and his myriad opinions about the current affairs of his day. In addition to these political perspectives, The World as I See It reveals the idealistic, spiritual, and witty side of this great intellectual as he approaches topics including good and evil, religion and science, active pacifism, Christianity and Judaism, and minorities.

Including letters, speeches, articles, and essays written before 1935, this collection offers a complete portrait of Einstein as a humanitarian and as a human being trying to make sense of the world changing around him.


Top reviews from the United States

WAGinWNY
5.0 out of 5 stars Too much expurgation -- but highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2012
A Very satisfying read, as I knew little about this genius's thoughts and words beyond the fact that he was the author of the Theory of Relativity and somewhat responsible for ushering us into the Atomic Age. It was clearly stated before clicking 'BUY' that all writings regarding hard science had been edited out of this book, so it's not like I wasn't warned. But the editor could have included a short explanatory chapter -- perhaps written by a third party -- that would've given us some insight into what that ground-breaking theory is/was about.
And then there's the atomic bomb. There's a huge gap between Einstein's writings regarding pacifism and the unexplained common-knowledge that it was he who whispered into FDR's ear: "We need a WMD"; somehow we just leap-frogged over WWII altogether.
But especially satisfying were the paragraphs regarding Einstein's views regarding God, Judaism and organized religion, and world socialism. Apparently much that has been attributed to him (probably by the right -- a group to which I admittedly belong) regarding the existence of God was lifted out of context and spun. To say more about that here would become near to being a spoiler alert, so I'll leave it at that. But I will say this: Einstein's views regarding God and a Supreme Being do not clash with those of Deepak Chopra's, which is probably why you'll find Einstein referenced in several of Deepak's writings.
All in all, highly recommended for those who are curious about what made Albert Einstein tick.
Rebekah J. Berman
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of humanity from the perspective of Albert Einstein as a Jewish Humanitarian
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2023
Truly a thought provoking dissertation on life, humanity and kindness to one another from a great Jewish humanitarian, Albert Einstein.
Charles L.
4.0 out of 5 stars His Words Were Very Personal
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024
I didn't understand his comments about people that I had never heard of. I will have to research those people to fully understand his thoughts about them.
Margaret Coote
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting material, minimalist format
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2018
This book is interesting primarily as a period piece, and as an insight into Einstein the man. It gives the reader a better understanding of how Einstein saw himself - as a scientist, as a citizen, and as a celebrity - what his thoughts on religion, society, and warfare were, how he saw Europe and America and the differences between them at the time in which he lived. At times he seems broadminded and expansive, at times narrow and naive. His condemnation of the "dull herd" and his dismissal of women seem outdated and unnuanced to the extreme.
The book itself is clunkily put together, with no real chapter divisions and no introductions or context given for individual excerpts, only short titles that give some idea of where they come from. This makes for tough reading (and makes one appreciate the often invisible efforts of a good editor!), and gives the book a certain undigested feel. Frequent and sometimes bizarre typos add to this feel.
Author of Explore Within
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Personality!
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024
When he references religious personalities, that includes him, too.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Interested Insights on Life and Society from a Brilliant Man
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2023
I learned things about Albert Einstein I had never heard before. There is much more to him than his physics theories...
MrWizard
5.0 out of 5 stars If you have ever wanted to know more about Einstein, this is a good read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016
I enjoyed reading about the life history of Albert Einstein and his thoughts on societal issues and life. It gives insight into why he came to some of his conclusions on disarmament, socialism and his dislike for nations and their governments. His views are definitely from an intellectuals prospective (not necessarily rational) and his views on religion were strongly humanitarian.
His theory of relativity is discussed and his mathematical genius is nothing short of astounding. I highly recommend.
Leonard L. Lira
4.0 out of 5 stars An Intellectual Giant in many Disciplines
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2017
I must admit that the only thing I had read of Einstein was, E=mc2. Nonetheless, this collection of his essays and letters demonstrates that he was brilliant in fields afar from physics. His discussion of politics (both domestic and international), economics, the moral decay of pre-WWII Germany, and the inter-relationships between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam were all acute for his era when the internet did not exist (meaning he had to be very well read), and prescient for our modern day issues.

The one disheartening thing I found in his letters was that he openly despised men who served in the military. Einstein asserts that such a man is despicable because rather than resort to tools of the mind to resolve conflict, they resort to the violence and the baser nature of man as animal. Being a long serving professional soldier and scholar, I was crestfallen that man I so admired, would demonstrate his despise for me from his grave. Regardless, acknowledging Einsteins pacifism and the German military ethic of the era in which Einstein was familiar, I at least understood his sentiment.

The book remains a good read which I recommend to others. Its analysis of all the topics discussed above are short. It serves as a book that one can read in one setting, pick up and put down for later reading, or return to again and again for future reference.

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