Einstein's Mistakes

Hans Ohanian

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Einstein's Mistakes," written by Hans Ohanian, delves into the remarkable scientific career of Albert Einstein, focusing on the lesser-known errors made by the scientific genius. Through meticulous research and analysis, Ohanian explores the implications of Einstein's mistakes and the impact they had on his groundbreaking theories.

The book begins by examining Einstein's early work on Brownian motion. Ohanian exposes the errors in Einstein's calculations and demonstrates how his incorrect assumptions led to erroneous predictions. Despite this, these mistakes ultimately pushed Einstein forward and helped refine his understanding of the physics underlying Brownian motion.

Ohanian then moves on to discuss Einstein's misstep in formulating the cosmological constant and its role in his theory of general relativity. By elucidating the consequences of this error and how it created unnecessary complications in his equations, the author sheds light on Einstein's growth as a scientist and his willingness to reconsider his assumptions.

In the subsequent chapters, Ohanian delves into Einstein's rejection of quantum mechanics and his efforts to disprove the theory. He elucidates the reasoning behind Einstein's discomfort with the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics and how his disagreement with it ultimately hindered his own advancement in the field.

Additionally, Ohanian explores Einstein's skepticism toward the existence of black holes, despite his contributions to the theory of general relativity. Through an analysis of Einstein's thought process and arguments against the concept, the author illuminates Einstein's struggle to accept the implications of his own scientific breakthroughs.

Throughout "Einstein's Mistakes," Ohanian presents a balanced narrative, offering a nuanced understanding of Einstein's intellectual journey. The book serves as a testament to the notion that even the greatest scientific minds are not infallible and points to the importance of embracing and learning from our mistakes.

Concise and thought-provoking, "Einstein's Mistakes" sheds light on the human side of scientific progress while paying homage to the genius and perseverance of Albert Einstein.

Explore More Books

See All
Euclid's Elements
The Captive Mind
Fables
Flowers for Algernon
For The Love Of Physics
The Humane Economy
Memoirs
The Great Influenza
Think Like
History of the World
The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution
The Social Animal
The Worlds I See
Mission
The Dream of Reason
Children of Dune
Lateral Thinking
The World is Flat
A Bright Future
Jack
Predictably Irrational
The Art of Spirited Away
What You Do Is Who You Are
Maverick
Letters to a Young Scientist
You
Bitcoin is Venice
Being Aware of Being Aware
The Bitcoin Standard
In Praise of Slowness
Decrypting Money
Economics in One Lesson
Money Changes Everything
Decoded
The Dream Machine
Why Minsky Matters
Everything All At Once
Gay Like Me
Benjamin Franklin
Why Information Grows
The Sympathizer
Home Work
Dance to the Tune of Life
Go To
The Water Dancer
The Myth of the Strong Leader
Where Good Ideas Come From
Social Cognition
One Monster After Another
Benjamin Franklin
The Spy and The Traitor
Gang Leader for a Day
Grit
Take Back The Game
Who Am I
Shortcut
Letters of Note
Albert Einstein
The Psychology of Money
The Quest for El Cid
This Explains Everything
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
Nine Pints
Anything You Want
Bitcoin
Lucky Me
The Great Mental Models
Unstoppable Prosperity
A New History of Greek Mathematics
Reinventing American Health Care
Collected Fictions
The Book of Five Rings
Life Ascending
Who Is Michael Ovitz
On Intelligence
An Agricultural Testament
Letters To A Young Athlete
The End of History and the Last Man
Secrets of Power Negotiating
Little Brother
Changing Minds
Well
How to Get Lucky
Days of Rage
What Works on Wall Street
A Timeless Way of Building
Fall of Constantinople
Sit Like a Buddha
The New Jim Crow
A Universe From Nothing
New Power
Holistic Management
Born to Run
Devil's Harbor
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
The War of Art
Replay
Radical Uncertainty
How To Buy Stocks
On Grief and Grieving