The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, The Original Deaf-Blind Girl

Book Description

In 1837, Samuel Gridley Howe set about rescuing Laura Bridgman, a deaf-blind seven-year-old, from the darkness and silence of the tomb. Bridgman learned to finger-spell, to read raised letters, to write legibly and even eloquently, and became a living exhibit for contemporary theological and psychological debates, with influential writers and reformersCarlyle, Dickens, and Hawthorne among themvisiting or writing about her. But by her death in 1889, she had been wholly eclipsed by the prettier, more ingratiating Helen Keller. The Imprisoned Guest is an absorbing, inspiring account of an extraordinary life.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT biography of Samuel Gridley Howe and Laura.......2006-02-24

I have read quite a lot about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan over the years, and I have read a bit about Laura Bridgman. I have read enough to know that "rescue from darkness" comes at a cost and is often not done for the greatest good of the "victim". In Helen and Annie's case, Helen's world was infinitely enriched by Annie's total dedication to her pupil. In return, Annie created a family and garnered recognition for herself. Unfortunately, in Laura's situation, the trade-off was not as well balanced.

Samuel Gridley Howe was a man on a mission to achieve recognition and status among the liberal Boston elite in the early 1800s. His goal was to find and educate an intelligent blind and deaf child and thereby establish himself as a distinguished philanthropist and expert in education and the social sciences. He believed that Laura was a means to that end.

While educating a blind deaf girl may have sounded like an unselfish project in 1837, the horror of Laura's reality is clear today. Laura was often isolated from other children and adults to help make Howe's experiments in education "pure." When Howe felt that he had no more to gain from her, he left her with very limited companionship. So, unlike Helen, her education and socialization, and hence her maturation, stopped when Howe lost interest. As a result, she suffered great loneliness and depression.

Gitter provides a great deal of information about Howe that seems to indicate that he had a narcissistic personality. Her revelations about Laura show that she had great potential for learning and growing that was left untapped as a result of her unnecessary and cruel seclusion from the world.

This book is very well written and clearly reveals the historical and social context of the lives of Laura and Howe. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has even the slightest interest in the subject area.

Ah ,the whole story!.......2002-10-26

Great read packed with info. I've always wanted to know more about her, not just the vague references made in books about Keller and Sullivan.

Splendid Story, Fascinating History.......2002-08-23

The long-forgotten story of Laura Bridgman is riveting: She was the first deaf, blind and mute American to learn English and she did so through the ingenious efforts of Samuel Howe. If author Elisabeth Gitter had done nothing more than reintroduce this story to the world, her book would have been worthwhile. But Gitter does much more. Both Bridgman and Howe were enormously complicated, infinitely fascinating characters and their relationship was unprecedented in human experience (quite a statement, but it's true!). It is incredible, and in many ways, heart-wrenching, to watch their storybook relationship develop and devolve. Gitter wisely tells the story without literary flourishes; it's so remarkable, it doesn't need any. The author is also scrupulously fair to her subjects (few characters in history go from appealling to detestable, and back again, more quickly than Howe) and provides just the right degree of historical background--enough to inform the reader, but not enough to slow down the narrative. A nearly perfect book!

Sensitive and Well Written.......2001-05-30

Elisabeth Gitter has introduced the 21st Century reader to Laura Bridgman, "the original deaf-blind girl" in her well written and sensitive portrayal of "this pitiful little girl" who "became the most celebrated child in (19th Century) America." Along with her teacher and mentor, Samuel Howe, founder of the first school for the blind in America, Laura became an inspiration for the indominability of the human spirit. Yet, as Gitter wisely and perceptively shows, the multi-faceted character behind Laura's public persona was often overlooked by Howe in his zeal to show the world that, in his words, "obstacles are things to be overcome", and that Laura Bridgman was the prime example of the veracity of his statement. With her extraordinary knowledge of the Victorian era in which the story takes place, and her exceptional command of the written word, Gitter has brought Laura Bridgman the honor and dignity she was often denied her life.

The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the Original Deaf-Blind Girl

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The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the Original Deaf-Blind Girl
Elisabeth Gitter
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OX8KWI

Book Description

This newly revised edition of the original best seller has hundreds of helpful tips that you can use every day! Practical information, presented in a step-by-step format, includes critical, up-to-date advice on maintaining consistent bunkers, sand topdressing and aerifying, using pesticides and fertilizers safely and effectively, irrigation principles and techniques, mowing techniques for greens, fairways, and tees, and much more. The authors have given seminars all over the world, and now they are passing on their considerable expertise to you, including the latest on the use of emerging technologies.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for the Beginning Greenskeeper.......2005-02-26

A couple of years ago, I purchased a small golf course in California. I knew nothing about how to keep a golf course in good shape much less improve it. When my superintendent quit, I was up the proverbial creek. I turned to this book for help. It is a great book for those who have had minimal or no exposure to how to keep up the various parts (green, tee boxes, fairways, rough, bunkers, etc.) of a golf course. While I probably won't act as superintendent for very long, I feel armed now with basic greenkeeping knowledge, and it is recommended (and soon to be required) reading for all of my course and clubhouse workers.

Good. VERY Good........2002-12-28

While perhaps limited to the basics, Witteveen's text is well organized and comprehensive enough to assure that I'll achieve my professional goal of being promoted from Assistant Greenskeeper to Head Greenskeeper within 6 years. In fact, in my opinion, it's on par with Chuck Shick's seminal treatise on the subject. One nitpicky point is that the treatment of cinch bugs, manganese, nitrogen and gophers (and other varmint menaces to the golfing industry) is far too brief. Also, more advanced topics such as the theory and practice of inventing your own type of grass would be welcome. Overall, though, it is top notch!

No Magic Here.......2000-08-05

This book is best suited for the first-time greenskeeper or a greens committee member. It contains basic processes such as top-dressing and stays away from specifics like optimal mower height settings for greens. In addition, this book stays away from prescribing remidies for such things as excessive thatch buildup or constant fungus problems. If all you want are the very basics in management practices then buy this book. If you are searching for innovative and detailed turf management applications then you will need to supplement this book with other references.

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Practical Greenkeeping
Jim Arthur
Manufacturer: Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0907583121

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Practical Greenkeeping
Jim Arthur
Manufacturer: GAZELLE BOOK SERVICE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K33ZOU

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The power of film

Film as Religion: Myths, Morals, and Rituals
John C. Lyden
Manufacturer: NYU Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Psychology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0814751814
Release Date: 2003-06-01

Book Description

View the Table of Contents. Read the Introduction.

Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2003

"Lyden's book is well-written, insightful, and especially engaging for anyone who loves movies."—Religious Studies Review

"..offers several new perspectives on this increasingly popular and gradually more critical area. It also is wellsuited for the religious studies classroom. Lyden's writing is clear, and he nicely describes some of the more difficult theories of religion in ways that are accessible to undergraduates. In fact, the next time I teach my course "Myth and Ritual on Film" I will assign Film as Religion because of its analogizing methods of showing how film does indeed function as religion in contemporary U.S. culture."—Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"Lyden offers perceptive criticisms of some of the most influential ways of talking about myth."
— Crisis Magazine

” Lyden has articulated a well-defined methodology that relies on some of the best resources religious studies can bring to the table." — Film Quarterly

"Lyden lays an imrpessive and sound foundation for his vision: to provide a systematic method for connecting religion and film studies. . . . This is truly significant, immensely compelling, and dynamically provocative work. Essential."
—Choice

Film as Religion argues that popular films perform a religious function in our culture. Like more formal religious institutions, films can provide us with ways to view the world and values to confront it. Lyden contends that approaches which interpret films only ideologically or theologically miss the mark in understanding their appeal to viewers. He develops an alternative method which shows how films can be understood as representing a "religious" worldview in their own right.

Lyden surveys the state of the study of religion and film, offering an overview of previous methods before presenting his own. Rather than seeking to uncover hidden meanings in film detectable only to scholars, Lyden emphasizes how film functions for its audiences—the beliefs and values it conveys, and its ritual power to provide emotional catharsis. He includes a number of brief cases studies in which he applies this method to the study of film genres—including westerns and action movies, children's films, and romantic comedies—and individual films from The Godfather to E.T., showing how films can function religiously.

Customer Reviews:

The power of film.......2003-05-25

Well-written and fascinating! Lyden illuminates the power of film to influence large numbers of people, providing some with a worldview, language, culture, etc. that gives them the sense of community or meaning similar to that found in traditional religion. Excellent examples.

Book Description

There are now several Readers offering selections of secondary work in postcolonial theory. Yet there is no single, readily available anthology, informed by contemporary thinking about the subject, that offers a wide-ranging introduction to primary texts in the field: primary in the sense that the texts are written by "creative writers". This new anthology offers the most comprehensive introductory cross-section of anglophone postcolonial writing yet available. It strikes a balance between acknowledged "classic" texts and works that represent characteristic aspects of post-colonial writing. The book makes available a very considerable body of work by major postcolonial writers and at the same time provides a valuable source book for the exploration of central postcolonial themes and theories.

Book Description

The newest book in the multimillion-selling series, this is sure to be the best selling of them all. This quick, easy-to-read primer on American's hottest game shows players the basics of playing and winning at both cash games and the big money no-limit tournaments and championships played around the country. Packed with tips, winning strategies, and professional tips for players looking to get in on the action, and with a little luck, on TV holding a million dollars cash!

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A Solid Foundation in Computer Concepts

Technology Education

Discovering Computers 2006...

One of the best books

Great Beginner's Text.

Discovering Computers 2005: A Gateway to Information, Complete
Gary B. Shelly , Thomas J. Cashman , and Misty E. Vermaat
Manufacturer: Course Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0619255250

Book Description

Set a higher standard. Discovering Computers 2005 continues a tradition of compelling and exciting content, multimedia, and instructional support.

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Foundation in Computer Concepts.......2006-05-19

i received a b.s. in mgt/mis in the 80s and recently took a self-paced community college course that used this as a textbook as part of a 2nd degree program i am pursuing. i wanted to refresh/update my knowledge in the field.

this is a comprehensive overview of computers presented in a clear way with wonderful study aids. i particularly enjoyed the programming, enterprise systems, and networking chapters. it also covers career fields within IT. what really makes this book outstanding is the website that comes with it. at the end of each chapter are tests and tutorials which you can do online. the labs are excellent and i loved the one on chapter 4 which explained the guts of the computer and then had you build one! it had you draw a network diagram and assign ip addresses. these types of tutorials really help "lock in" the subject matter. students today have the best tools to learn. i wish i had this 20 years ago!!

i recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about/brushing up on computer skills. for folks out of school, this is a great way to get the lingo.

to check out the online version go to [...]. each chapter is summarized on this site with a wealth of information to learn and explore.

Technology Education.......2006-03-11

This is an interesting book to start your knowledge on the Technology field. However, in comparison with other sources
(i.e. The Hardware Bible) it does not have the broadness on
certain subjects.Overall this title is excellent when you want to start in the technology of communications.

Discovering Computers 2006..........2006-02-06

So far so good... this book is an excellent educational IT tool for those interested in learning about computers!

One of the best books.......2005-05-13

This is one of the best books in this field, for Introduction to Computer (CS, MIS, IT, Computer Literacy, etc.) and my choice textbook for the introductory courses.

Great Beginner's Text........2005-02-09

DISCOVERING COMPUTERS 2005 is a textbook that we used in an introductory course on computers in business class that I had. The book is a great tool for anyone who has had no experience with computers to those who have had a limited experience working with computers. It provides a foundation of most of the current terms and concepts about computers and how those things are applicable in life. The book is filled with colorful illustrations, current photographs, and detailed graphs. The text is easy to read and with all the illustrations, photos, and graphs it doesn't take very long to read an entire chapter. My only complaint about the book is that for all the key terms and concepts that are introduced, there is no glossary to look those words up. Other than that, it's a great text for an introduction to computers class.

Book Description

The roots of modernism
In 1714, king George I ushered in a remarkable 123-year period of energy that changed the face of Britain and ultimately had a profound effect on the modern era. The pioneers of modern capitalism, industry, democracy, literature, and even architecture flourished during this time and their innovations and influence spread throughout the British empire, including the United States.

A quick-reference portrait of a golden age
Now this rich cultural period in Britain is effectively surveyed and summarized for quick reference in a first-of-its-kind Encyclopedia, which contains more than 1,100 signed entries by 250 British, Canadian, American, and Australian scholars specializing in everything from finance and the fine arts to politics and patent law. More than 380 illustrations, mostly rare engravings, enhance the coverage, which runs the whole gamut of political, economic, literary, intellectual, artistic, commercial, and social life, and spotlights some 600 prominent individuals and families.

A rich information resource
The Encyclopedia is the first source to consult when you need quick information on the English antislavery movement, the terms of the Paris treaties of 1763 and 1783, the legendary Sir Thomas Raffles, Scotland and Scottish culture, the infamous South Sea bubble, women in art, Irish emigration, The Society for the Suppression of Vice, and much more. The Encyclopedia is an ideal information resource for a wide range of readers, from students seeking basic information and researching papers to researchers looking for up-to-date and hard-to-find bibliographical references.

Also includes 385 maps and illustrations.

Book Description

In a convincing reinterpretation of early Islamic history, Wilferd Madelung examines the conflict that developed after the death of Muhammad for control of the Muslim community. He demonstrates how this conflict, which marked the demise of the first four caliphs, resulted in the lasting schism between Sunnite and Shi'ite Islam. In contrast to recent scholarly trends, the author takes up the Shi'i cause, arguing in defense of the succession of 'Ali. This book will make a major scholarly contribution to the debate over succession.

Customer Reviews:

A Must Buy for those interested in Intra-Faith Islamic Dialogue and Islamic Ecumenism.......2007-06-06

I was very much impressed with Wilfred Madelung's book "The Succession to Muhammad." as a Muslim who is very interested in the topic of Prophetic Succession and a student of Islamic Studies, I found this work to be of great interest and most definitely eye opening.

It is neither particularly Shia nor particularly Sunni in it's conclusion nor in the arguments and evidence put forward, however it will no doubt cause both Adherents and of course all Muslims to radically open their minds and eyes to a period of History that can neither be describes as Black nor White but is in fact surrounded with mystery.

The book basically puts forth the premise that Abu Bakr, the first historical Caliph (viewed as an illegitimate leader by the vast majority of Shias) was not the sole or dominant candidate at the time, it also sheds some interesting light and revision as to what exactly the Riddah Wars entailed.

However it neither supports the Shia premise, that the Prophet Muhammad had appointed Imam Ali as the successor either.

Although I personally don't buy Madelung's thesis fully, It certainly made me revise my system of beliefs and come to a conclusion regarding the Leadership of the Ummah after the death of our Beloved Prophet.

Objective historical study.......2007-04-04

Madelung does not support the shias at all. This is a misconception, he clearly states that Ali was not infalliable, and that the LATER generations of his followers in the face of ummayyad repression and vilifiation of his character extolled his virtues to such an extent that they made him equal [or even greater] to the Prophet[saw] ....
Only those sunnis who cannot bear criticizm of muawiyah or uthman will call it pro-shia.
Also madelung clearly praises umar , moreover he says that Ali and majority of his followers did not have such a big problem with the first 2 caliphs.
Lastly there is a 3 line mention of ghadeer , on which shias mostly base their claim

Pitiful.......2006-10-25

Horrible book.
Islamic literature is distinct in that information can be classified into 'authentic','fabricated', 'weak', as well as many other categories by rigourously analyzing the chains of narration.
The author did not bother with that and, it seems, assumed that whatever he quoted from some book of history (say, Tarikh Tabari) was authentic.
Save your $$$, and buy something more credible and scholarly (e.g. Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya).

Meticulous Important Work - Profoundly Disturbing.......2005-10-08

The struggle over the succession to the spiritual and temporal authority of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAWS) disclosed deep fault lines in the Muslim community and eventually led to a fracture which persists to the present. This contest was both bitter and bloody. As a result, objectivity is in short supply among the partisans of either side. Primary and secondary historical sources suffer from profound biases. Sadly the atmosphere remains highly charged today.

Professor Madelung is a meticulous historian. He carefully examines the various and often differing historical reports as he leads step by step to his interpretation He focuses on the primary sources themselves rather than merely repackaging and repeating what other historians - both Western and Muslim - have said . Where he differs from prior interpretations, he sets forth his argument in detail.

Most of the historical records from this time were orally transmitted over an extended period and only written down much later. This raises the possibility of honest error in the chain of transmission as well as the opportunity for manipulation or fabrication. And, as is well known, sometimes several people present at the same event come up quite honestly with different accounts.

Attempting to sort out what is true from what is not is a difficult process. It consists of evaluating the reliability or biases of each of the reporters in the chain of transmission (the isnd). Then comparing different reports on the same event to discover areas of agreement as well as logical inconsistencies. However, rarely does this process settle the issue beyond doubt. The historian must then draw upon his own resources to decide among conflicting versions.

At its heart, history is a matter of interpretation. While it's usually taken as a given that the "facts" are known, this is often not the case, as shown in this book in several places (e.g. the date of the Battle of al-Naharawan. But once the events are assumed as facts, the historian has to use his own critical judgment to ascribe causes to events and motives to the participants in those events.

As humans, historians bring their beliefs, preferences and aversions to this task both consciously and unconsciously. A lack of objectivity can arise in several ways.

It can arise from being a partisan on one side in an event.

It can arise because a historian's first encounter in his field of study was with partisans of one side or another who framed the debate on a topic in a particular way which later influenced his own approach to the topic. Sometimes this may be a direct transmission of a bias. Sometimes it may be indirect: the historian uncritically absorbs the common belief in that country as the correct version of events.

It can also come from getting too sympathetic to the subject of study - becoming an advocate - "localitis" in US Foreign Service jargon.

As well, bias in writing can come from deeply held worldviews. One would expect quite different analyses of the same events from Marxist and capitalist historians. Often this is not a case of conscious bias, but rather results from the contents of the historian's tool kit.

Just as the historian must understand the potential biases in his sources in order to properly pursue his craft, so too must the critical reader of history understand the background and potential biases of the historian he reads. And understand that complete objectivity is an ideal and not realistic condition.

That shouldn't be troubling to the sophisticated student: there can well be several reasonable different interpretations to the same event. The truth is more likely to be found in balancing several different views - in order to achieve the widest perspective.

According to his biography, Professor Madelung began his Islamic studies at the University of Cairo. I understand but do not know for a fact that his studies there focused on the Fatimid Dynasty, which was founded by Ismai'lis. one of the several branches of Shi'ism Currently, in addition to his faculty position at Oxford, he is a Senior Research Fellow at the Isma'ili institute in London. Professor Madelung has written widely on medieval Islamic communities, including Twelver Shi'ism, Zaydism, and Ismai'lism.

Does this necessarily mean that he is biased? Or that I am accusing him of bias? No. I have no reason to make that judgment.

However, I mention this because there may be a tendency to ascribe complete objectivity to Professor Madelung because he is an "outsider" and thus presumed not to be partial to one side or another. Especially by those in whose favor he may seem to have decided. A note of caution is therefore warranted.

Like any historical work, we should read this book with a very critical eye, paying particular attention to places where the author draws conclusions on critical issues to see whether there is a reasonable alternative conclusion that might have been drawn. If so, then we should carefully examine his argument to see if it rings true for us. We should also ask if the author has asked all the relevant questions. Like political polling sometimes the way the question is posed affects the answer received.

This book is a truly a very important work because of the light it sheds on a very critical period for the Muslim community, one which still has relevance today. It also discloses that the fissures in the community on this issue existed from the very beginning. It is also a foundation work which will provide a platform for other scholars to build upon and to explore this and related questions. Finally, it is also significant because it is a master work which gives an insight into the historical method and how the historian should undertake his craft.

Is it the final word on this topic? Probably not. While it is a powerful interpretation well argued and well documented, it is an interpretation, not revelation. As such, it is subject to challenge and re-interpretation. Another approach might come up with a different conclusion. For example, assuming the precedence of the direct descendants of the Prophet (SAAWS) to the succession as a given, could there be justified reasons other than tribal politics why this right might be deferred? The special needs of the community at the moment? Or the relative state of the individuals involved: maturity, experience, judgment, etc? A regency does not deny the principle of succession. In this vein, what were the events in the Yemen which gave rise to Ghadr Khumm? Why did the Prophet (SAAWS) not designate a successor? Was he unaware of the fissures in the community? Professor Madelung tantalizing hints at this line of inquiry on page 18.

Because of the detailed nature of this work, it is not an easy read. There is an abundance - at some times what appears to be an over abundance of detail, though this will be especially useful for scholars.

There are two additional points I found interesting.

First, in evaluating the right of the Imam Ali (AS/KAW) to the succession, Professor Madelung argues chiefly from the Qur'anic precedence in inheritance accorded to members of a prophet's family and not from the assertion of any special hereditary spiritual knowledge or quality in (the) ahl al bayt.

Second, this is profoundly disturbing read. Rather than disputes over fundamental principles, much of the conflict is ascribed to tribal and clan politics as well as assorted petty and not so petty grievances. None of the protagonists - most of whom are distinguished names in the history of the faith - emerges unscathed from having serious shortcomings exposed. All this is immensely sad and disappointing. That Islam has withstood these frailties in its community is perhaps a testimony to its strength and origin. And perhaps a call to its adherents to heed the admonition in Sura 3:103.

Loving the Author!.......2005-05-06

I am a converted muslim from Sunny to Shia. I read this book when I was doing reserach on different contraversial materials found in both Shia and Sunny books. Then, fourunately I foung this book from the internet. I had read a lot of books on Shia Sunny contraversion but this is the best book i ever read about the research and logic.Human beings are lgicals any whay, and any thing that doesn't make sense, bothers them. After reading this book, it didn't take me long to have my opinion better then ever before on a lot of issues that are addressed in this book. No doubt the author being a Non Muslim has make a tremendous effort to just do a research work. Obviously he is not on either side but his work is appreciable. I wanna congratulate him on writing such a great book.

The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate (book review): An article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society

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The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate (book review): An article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society
Keith Lewinstein
Manufacturer: American Oriental Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008IA0E0
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Journal of the American Oriental Society, published by American Oriental Society on April 1, 2001. The length of the article is 1380 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate (book review)
Author: Keith Lewinstein
Publication: The Journal of the American Oriental Society (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 2001
Publisher: American Oriental Society
Volume: 121 Issue: 2 Page: 326

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

With contributions from Freeman Dyson, Stephen Hawking, João Magueijo, Steven Weinberg, Philip Anderson, Robert Schulmann, Philip Glass, Max Jammer, Sir Joseph Rotblat, I. Bernard Cohen, and Sir Arthur C. Clarke

This definitive illustrated study of one of the foremost icons of the 20th century commemorates the centenary of Albert Einstein's annus mirabilis of 1905, the same year when Einstein, at age 26, published his groundbreaking Special Theory of Relativity, and when the most famous equation in science, E = mc2, was introduced to the world. Here author Andrew Robinson and 11 essayists, including three Nobel laureates, explore every facet of the life and achievements of the great physicist and humanitarian, honored by Time magazine in its Millennium issue as "Person of the Century."

As the book explains clearly, Einstein's dramatic papers of 1905 overthrew the Newtonian worldview and revolutionized our understanding of space, time, energy, matter, and light. His work had impact far beyond the field of physics, playing a leading role in the century's technological advances and influencing modernism in every field. Except for his last interview that was previously published, all the essays here are original works written especially for this book. The photographs draw on an exceptional archive Einstein bequeathed to Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Customer Reviews:

A masterpiece on Einstein's life and work.......2006-02-17

Very well planned, full of meaningfull illustrations, accurately written and revised,this book deserves special attention of everyone interested in Einsteins's personal life and scientific production. Recommended with enthusiasm.

This book retails for $29.95.......2005-10-15

This beautiful, hardcover coffee-table book, whose text is as delightful as its scores of photographs, retails for $29.95--not the $35 that Amazon advertises. It is an amazing value in this day when trade paperbacks often retail for $24.95 and higher.

Best of its kind.......2005-09-14

This is a review of "Einstein: A Hundred Years of Relativity," by Andrew Robinson.

For the last three or four years, I have both actively and passively searched for a good introductory book on Einstein, something that is accessible to me as an intelligent non-scientist, but that is broader in scope than I take most of his biographies to be. I want a good, clear explanation of special and general relativity, but I also want to know more about the pacificist and cultural icon, about Einstein as a humanist. No one book has filled the niche. Either you find good discussions of his physics, or you find books on his love life, or you find books that are beautifully produced but have very little substance.

As the centennial of the "miraculous year" of 1905, 2005 has seen a bumper crop of books on Einstein, many of them poorly conceived and some richly priced. But this book is just what I've been looking for for the last few years.

The Editorial Review is wrong in stating that all entries are new except for Einstein's last interview. In fact, a few pages from Einstein's autobiography are also included--and that indicates one reason why this book is so well done. It is divided into two parts; the first has seven chapters on "The Physicist"; the second has eight chapters on "The Man." All of these are written by Andrew Robinson. But interspersed with this biographical-chronological-topical layout are essays by other authors. Einstein contributes a few pages to Part One and a few to Part Two. But there are also four essays by others in Part One and five essays by others in Part Two. It's thrilling to read Stephen Hawking on the history of relativity and Philip Glass on his operatic take on Einstein. The book is not hagiographical. Freeman Dyson's preface mainly discusses the embarrassing (for Einstein) peculiarity that Einstein did not believe in black holes.

The book is full of other goodies. Though the text is more than one finds in a typical coffee-table book, the illustrations are of that beauty and quantity. It's an illustrated book with well-chosen pictures, always with captions. There are notes in the back, a detailed chronology of his life, and a (non-annotated) bibliography. The whole is made authoritative not only by the caliber of its contributors, but by its use of Einstein's archives housed at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The only way this book could be better is if there were more of it; sometimes the discussions feel rushed and compressed. Also, despite Robinson's literary credentials, I'm not partial to his somewhat awkward, hypertactic writing style.

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EINSTEIN: A HUNDRED YEARS OF RELATIVITY
ANDREW ROBINSON
Manufacturer: PALAZZO EDITIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0954510348

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Einstein: A Hundred Years of Relativity

Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000CL1XTO

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LEATHER BOUND book accented in 22kt gold! !

General Relativity and Gravitation:One Hundred Years After the Birth of Albert Einstein

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General Relativity and Gravitation:One Hundred Years After the Birth of Albert Einstein

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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