In some sixty essays, originally prepared or delivered since 1934 when his first anthology "The World as I See It" appeared, Dr. Einstein presents thoughts on science and life. The book cannot but appeal to anyone interested in the mind and the spirit of man. The reader will inevitably acquire a deeper understanding of modern science and scientific philosophy, for Einstein must be numbered among the few lucid exponents of his own theory of relativity and the attendant new philosophies and attitudes of science.
In nearly every essay, Einstein the man, the human being, is as apparent as Einstein the scientist. Occasionally the faith and humility of the scientist is temporarily obscured by biting irony when it is forced on the attention that "Reason is weak when measured against its neverending task. Weak, indeed, compared with the follies and passions of mankind, which, we must admit, almost entirely control our human destinies, in great things and small." (See for example "Message for Posterity.") But, on the other hand, "Science can only be created by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration towards truth and understanding. This source of feeling, however, springs from the sphere of religion. To this there also belongs the faith in the possibility that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that is, comprehensible to reason. I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
The essays are grouped under "Convictions and Beliefs," "Science," "Public Affairs," "Science and Life," "Personalities," and "My People." A reading of the collection produces the conviction that the author should be included with Max Planck, of whom Einstein says in memoriam: "A man to whom it has been given to bless the world with a great creative idea has no need for the praise of posterity. His very achievement has already conferred a higher boon upon him."
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