Category Archives: family members

An Exercise in Point-of-View

I’m working on a scene where it’s hard to understand Einstein’s behavior.  It’s mid-July, 1901, and Mileva is about to re-sit her exams at the Polytech, having failed them the summer before.  It’s her last chance to pass, and, oh-my-god, … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, family members, Fictional biography, historical fiction, Mettmenstetten, Mileva Maric, Pauline Einstein, point of view, Serbia, Switzerland, writing | 3 Comments

The Wonders of Google Maps

I’ve written before about what a handicap it is to write about a setting I’ve never visited.  I can read descriptions in books–and in the case of Albert Einstein, some of the biographers are fine writers who provide me with … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, family members, Google Maps, Mettmenstetten, reading, Research methods, Switzerland, writing | Leave a comment

Why did Einstein’s mother hate his wife?

In an effort to understand Pauline Einstein’s (Albert’s mother) outright rejection of  her son’s love for Mileva Maric, I did some research on Jewish family values in Germany from 1870 -1900. The obvious answer might be that Mileva was raised … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, family members, Mileva Maric, Pauline Einstein, reading, Research methods | 4 Comments

Why did Einstein’s mother hate his wife?

In an effort to understand Pauline Einstein’s (Albert’s mother) outright rejection of  her son’s love for Mileva Maric, I did some research on Jewish family values in Germany from 1870 -1900. The obvious answer might be that Mileva was raised … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, family members, Mileva Maric, Pauline Einstein, reading, Research methods | Leave a comment

What Is Schizophrenia, Anyway?

No, Einstein was not schizophrenic. But his son, Eduard was. And Mileva’s sister. I have media-inspired notions of schizophrenia, such as from the movie A Beautiful Mind, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but wasn’t sure how a visual … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein's children, family members, Mileva Maric, writing | 4 Comments

Photo Gallery

Everyone is familiar with the iconic pictures of Einstein as an old man. He has a wild halo of white hair and looks somewhat mad. As with Darwin, whose iconic photo also shows him as old, bearded, and white-haired, I … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, Einstein's children, family members | 6 Comments

A possible frame for the Einstein novel

Today I read an article on Einstein that might provide a possible frame for the next book.  I’m not far enough in to say for certain, but the article presents a possibility.   http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1211594-7,00.html The materials seem to be there, in print, translated … Continue reading

Posted in Darwin, Einstein, Einstein's children, family members, Mileva Maric, writing | 6 Comments

The Trouble with Einstein

In 1912 Albert met Paul Ehrenfest, a physicist and teacher of compatible brilliance.  Five years later, Ehrenfest had a son named Vassik born with Downs Syndrome, who in 1932 was institutionalized.  By way of comfort, Albert told him, “Valuable individuals … Continue reading

Posted in Darwin, Einstein, Einstein's children, family members, writing | 1 Comment