Einstein on Politics

"This book is both fascinating and valuable. By reading Einstein's political writings in their proper historical context, we can see how his politics reflected a deep sense of moral responsibility and a coherent vision of justice and global order. Einstein's humanism shines through on every page."--Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe
"For all too long, Albert Einstein's political engagements have been understood, almost parodically, as the naïve pronouncements of a man who floated above human conflicts. But Einstein was anything but naïve. Passionate about social injustice since he was a young man in Europe, Einstein stood hard against militarism, and the accelerating seizure of power by the Nazis. He was a pacifist who knew when pacifism had to be put aside to re-arm against Hitler, a Zionist who never hesitated to speak out for the rights of Arabs, a Democratic Socialist who did not hesitate to blast the authoritarianism of right and left, a proud American who detested McCarthyism. Rowe and Schulmann have gathered crucial documents and set them in context with thoughtful and well-researched scene-setting commentary. Anyone interested in what the most famous person of the twentieth century thought about that century's most important problems ought to study this book with care."--Peter Galison, Harvard University
"This is a superb collection of Einstein's political reflections and statements, with an excellent introduction. No other book is remotely comparable in aim, quality, or currency."--Mary Jo Nye, Oregon State University
"There is nothing else like Einstein on Politics. Rowe and Schulmann's erudition and familiarity with all aspects of Einstein's life make this book an authoritative source on Einstein's political views, many of which are still relevant today."--S. S. Schweber, author of In the Shadow of the Bomb

List of Texts vii Preface xix Note on Sources and Method xxxi Acknowledgments xxxiii Historical Introduction 1 Chapter 1. The First World War and Its Impact, 1914-1921 61 Chapter 2. Science Meets Politics: The Relativity Revolution, 1918-1923 93 Chapter 3. Anti-Semitism and Zionism, 1919-1930 136 Chapter 4. Internationalism and European Security, 1922-1932 189 Chapter 5. Articles of Faith, 1930-1933 223 Chapter 6. Hitler's Germany and the Threat to European Jewry, 1933-1938 266 Chapter 7. The Fate of the Jews, 1939-1949 315 Chapter 8. The Second World War, Nuclear Weapons, and World Peace, 1939-1950 356 Chapter 9. Soviet Russia, Political Economy, and Socialism, 1918-1952 406 Chapter 10. Political Freedom and the Threat of Nuclear War, 1931-1955 459 Bibliography 509 Index 515 Plate Credits 524