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Category Archives: writing
Why Did Mileva Fail her Exams?
In looking at the history of Mileva’s academic career and thinking about what motivated her after she became pregnant with Einstein’s child, I ask myself that question. Prior to July 1900, she had never failed an exam. That month was … Continue reading
Posted in Einstein, Lake Como, Mileva Maric, reading, writing
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Chekhov on Writing about Thorny Issues
In a letter to writer/publisher A. S. Suvorin, Chekhov wrote, “You are right in demanding that an artist should take an intelligent attitude toward his work, but you confuse two things: solving a problem and stating a problem correctly. It … Continue reading
Posted in Anton Chekhov, Darwin, Einstein, Mileva Maric, reading, writing
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What is truth?
I don’t mean to sound like Pontius Pilate, here. Instead, I’m inspired by Allen Esterson’s comments on several posts (see A Possible Frame for the Novel, The Mileva Maric Controversy, and Regarding Lieserl) to think about the possible similarities and … Continue reading
Posted in Research methods, writing
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An Einstein Hiatus
I heard from my agent about the Darwin novel, who asked me if I might write an epilogue. One occurred to me immediately, a scene that took place twelve years after the publication of Origin. Consequently, I’m back looking at … Continue reading
Posted in Darwin, Einstein, Research methods, writing
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A Post-marriage Love Letter from Einstein to His Wife
At the time of this letter, Mileva Maric-Einstein (nicknamed Dollie to his Johnnie) is newly pregnant with her second child and in Budapest, likely to deal with something about Lieserl, the illegitimate daughter born to the two. Considering the marriage … Continue reading
Posted in Einstein, Einstein's children, Mileva Maric, writing
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Physics and Me
I took no formal physics classes in high school, so it feels intimidating to take on a book about the greatest physicist of the 20th century. But the more I read, the more I realize that I was unwittingly toying … Continue reading
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Darwin’s Method vs. Einstein’s
As my novel about Charles Darwin’s family goes to market, I’m thinking about the differences in the two men’s methodology. Darwin was an experimental biologist, such that his home, Down House, was filled with tanks of salt water, plants that … Continue reading
Darwin’s Method vs. Einstein’s
As my novel about Charles Darwin’s family goes to market, I’m thinking about the differences in the two men’s methodology. Darwin was an experimental biologist, such that his home, Down House, was filled with tanks of salt water, plants that … Continue reading
Posted in Darwin, Einstein, writing
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Imagining a Lost Letter
Mileva Maric was a brilliant, disciplined student. Unlike Einstein, she actually attended class, took notes, studied all night. Her roommates, other female Eastern European students who also lived at 50 Pattenstrasse, reported that her light would go out briefly for … Continue reading
Posted in Einstein, Mileva Maric, writing
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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
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