Letters to Solovine

From 1906 until his death in 1955, Einstein wrote the letters and notes collected herewith facsimiles of the German originalsto Maurice Solovine, his longtime friend and the translator of his works into French. In the letters, the creator of the theory of relativity discusses translation questions, visits, problems with printers, arguments with other physicists and current events. (Shortly after Hitler seized power, he wrote, ""I fear that this epidemic of hatred and violence will become widespread.'') He also discusses his sister's death, his ailing health in later years and his thoughts as he looks back on his career. (``You imagine that I regard my life's work with calm satisfaction. But a close look yields a completely different picture. I am not convinced of the certainty of a simple concept, and I am uncertain as to whether I was even on the right track.'') Although no groundbreaking new theories or insights appear here, this book does confirm our fond impression of Einstein. As Solovine puts it, ``I loved him and admired him profoundly for his basic goodness, his intellectual genius and his indomitable moral courage.'' (November)