The World as I See It

By: Albert Einstein

Narrated by: Pete Cross

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.

©1934 Estate of Albert Einstein (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Still relevant today 11/2024

This was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, largely due to the narrator’s excellent delivery. It is refreshing to gain insight from one of the most brilliant minds of our era. Rather than focusing solely on his scientific achievements, this book compiles a series of letters and essays written by Einstein, addressing topics that range from economics to social issues. It offers a unique perspective on Einstein as a person, extending beyond his groundbreaking contributions to science.

Enjoyed the narrator

I also enjoyed, of course, the content. This narrator brought Albert’s words to life. This book made me respect Albert Einstein beyond his brilliant mind. It reveals his heart, compassion, and common sense.

The brilliant mathematician espouses pacifism.

Clearly written prior to World War II, Einstein rails against the impending Nazi regime and their warlike posturing. The overall impression for me is one of a radical pacifist, pushing his boulder of non-aggression up a mountain, as Sisyphus might, while the mountain was crumbling beneath him. Also interesting are his opinions specific to his being a Jew and a German, those two realities being in stark contrast in the years leading up to World War II.
The focus of his writing here is less about mathematics, physics, and science, than it is about his idealism. Einstein seems to have had a deep suspicion of what the Nazis might do with his Theory of Relativity a decade before the Manhattan Project succeeded in splitting the atom.
Interestingly, after the War, Einstein wrote, "We must not condemn man because his conquest of the forces of nature have been exploited for destructive purposes. Rather, the fate of mankind hinges entirely upon man's moral development". Today we owe him a great debt of gratitude, no only for his math, but because he was a pacifist and not a Nazi.

Still relevant

I enjoyed it's relevance to current world events and the simplicity in its content. The fact that it contains Eintein's views on various themes made it very interesting.