Albert Einstein lived the last thirty years of his life in the United States and passed away in 1955 in New Jersey. He wrote three great papers in 1905 at the age of 26.

This book is the only thing ever coming close to an autobiography that Einstein ever wrote. Needless to say, offers of money and prizes were offered to him, unlike the millions offered to ex-U.S. presidents to write a book. He never accepted any of these offers. The only offer he accepted was from Professor Schilpp to write an intellectual autobiography of himself.

Incredible and Timeless is only ways to describe this book. Einstein labels as his "obituary", for a man who was considered the "Person of the Century" by Time Magazine.

Friends, his own "obituary" in his own hand is a worthy read and cost of the book. It is not a "personal" life but his "thinking" on science and of course on physics. We all know the two great theories of physical was created in the early 20th. century: the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Einstein alone created relativity and was also one of the founders of the quantum theory. We also know now that Einstein never accepted quantum theory till the end.

Here, Einstein fully describes the failure of classical mechanics and the rise of the electromagnetic field, the theory of relativity and of the quanta.

Of note, Einstein's "Evolution of Physics" is a general lay discussion of the same issues. This is Einstein's technical discussion of the evolution of physics.

"When I was a fairly precocious young man the nothingness of the hopes and strivings which chases most men restlessly through life came to my consciousness with considerable vitality" This comment alone is worth price of the book.

The essays sections includes writing of the great scientist of the 20th century. We only read about them in textbook but here they are in their own words: Niels Bohr, Louis De Broglie, Arnold Sommerfeld, Max Born, Kurt Godel, Hans Reichenbach and Wolfgang Pauli. One only sees their picture in physics textbooks.

This book really belongs in all who are professional scientists or are interested in science. Unlike Newton "Principia" or Darwin's "The Origin of Species" Einstein papers are scattered everyone. This is the only definitive book on Einstein by Einstein himself.

Moreover, it is a scholarly and scientific book, so it should last for a long time and of value to all future generations.

This is an interesting way to learn about a person. I took a passage from one of Al's writings in this book and read it during my weekly puppet show. The part of Einstein was played by a stuffed squirrel I bought at a yard sale. I added the traditional wacky hair and tweed jacket. The kids were confused at first, but squirrel puppetry soon broke down barriers. Next up is Hawking! If I can find a mini-chair and a look-a-like squirrel.

Here, Einstein clearly shows the world that he was a first-class intellectual and scientist.

--Lonnie R. Gardner (Math Teacher)

Doctor Blanshard has been criticized for not being a very original thinker. Whatever one thinks about original thought, one must admire a philosopher who expends the effort necessary to be understood and never hides in obscurity. Blanshard wrote a book 'On philosophical Style' and a better example of excellence in writing style cannot be found than this book edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. As a student of philosophy I always found it difficult to locate material that could present philosophy alive and allow one to study it as though taking part in the ideas. As each philosopher presents Blanshard with his/her criticism, one finds oneself actively participating in the cut and thrust of ideas as Blanshard responds at the end of each essay. Only the dialogues of Plato rival this work in providing the reader with the impression that he/she is present as great minds exchange ideas. The professional and amateur will long treasure this fine example of philosophical debate. END

Brand Blanshard, easily the twentieth century's sturdiest defender of reason, rationality and the "rational temper," exemplified that temper in every line of his graceful prose. His solid defenses of e.g. the nature of mind as seeking and striving after ends, the end of thought as systematic understanding, the coherence theory of truth, the objective existence of necessary logical and causal connections, the universe as a strongly coherent logical and causal whole in which every fact entails and is entailed by every other, the meaning of "goodness" as the objective fulfillment of human ends accompanied by the taking of satisfaction in that fulfillment -- his defenses of these views and others won the admiration of friends and critics alike, both for the thoroughness of his approach and for the generosity with which he treated opposing positions. In this volume he exchanges essays with many of those friends and critics, providing yet again not only a defense of his views but an admirable example of how to conduct oneself in philosophical controversy. In a departure from the practice followed in the other volumes in this series, Blanshard replies to each critical essay individually rather than in one long reply at the volume's end. The effect is that the book reads like an extended philosophical conversation, in which Blanshard deals personally and closely with each thinker in turn. His replies also indicate where his thought had grown and developed since the publication of _The Nature of Thought_ in the 1930s, thereby continuing his thought along the lines laid down in _Reason and Analysis_, _Reason and Goodness_, and Reason and Belief_. The essays and replies are arranged topically, covering the full range of Blanshard's rationalist philosophy. And an introductory autobiographical essay provides a delightfully personal introduction to the man himself. No student of Blanshard can afford to miss this thorough and thoroughly engaging volume.

This volume contains exceptional philosophical articles on the philosophy of Sartre. It covers every and all aspect of his life and thoughts. The critiques pull no punches and omit nothing. This work takes a hard look at the soundness of Sartre's philosophy. To find out if they hold up, read this volume. p.s. The interview with Sartre durring his later years is worth the price of the book alone. If you like Sartre, you will love this book.

Strawson was an important Oxford philosopher. His highly influential books: Introduction to Logical Theory, Freedom and Resentment, Bounds of Sense, and Individuals have caused more than a generation of students to consider his important views.

This is an interesting anthology of articles and replies. Some of the more important articles here deal with Strawson's views in the philosophy of language (namely speech act theory) and in metaphysics.

Here are some highlights: R. Millikan, "Proper Function and Convention in Speech Acts," Haack, Between the Scylla and Charybdis of Apriorism" (excellent), McDowell, "Referring to Oneself," Blackburn, "Relativization and Truth," Pears, "Strawson on Freedom and Resentment," Putnam, "Strawson and Skepticism," and Searle, "Truth: A Reconsideration."