Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein and everyone knows that he was a genius. Yet only a few people understand his work. In fact, he was just one of many brilliant scientists grappling with the deepest problems of theoretical physics during the first half of the twentieth century. He may not have been the most important or influential of them – the point is arguable – but there is no doubt he was the most revolutionary. Almost single-handed, he transformed the way the world thinks about light, matter, space and time.

In the sixty years since his death Einstein has become a legend. The profound obscurity of his theories has contributed to this, as has his archetypal "mad scientist" appearance. His philosophical and political utterances – both real and imagined – are regularly used to clinch arguments online or in the pub. So how can a modern reader separate myth from reality? This short book attempts to do just that!

SELLING POINTS:

• The very epitome of a pocket GIANT
• Synonymous with genius
• His research shaped the modern world
• Even today top scientists endeavour to fully understand the ramifications of his discoveries

About the Author
Andrew May has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Manchester University. He continued in academia for four more years, doing postdoctoral research on galactic dynamics, before moving into the more lucrative if shadowy world of defence science. He worked first in private industry, then in the Civil Service and then in private industry again, for a total of twenty-four years. He now earns his living as a freelance writer and defence consultant. He wrote Isaac Newton for the pocket GIANT series, which is to be released in early 2015.