Einstein Effect

"A fascinating and funny guide to history's favorite genius-and why he still matters." -A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling authorA fascinating look into how Einstein's genius and science continues to show up in so many facets of our everyday lives and his enduring legacy as an unlikely pop culture icon.Albert Einstein was the first modern-day celebrity and, decades after his death, still has the world's most recognizable face. His influence is seen in much of the technology we use every day: GPS, remote controls, weather forecasts, even toothpaste. But it's not just Einstein's scientific discoveries that continue to shape our world. His legacy underpins the search for aliens, the rescue of refugees, the invention of time machines, and the debunking of fake news. He appears in new books, TV shows, and movies all the time-and fans are paying millions for Einstein relics at auction.Award-winning author and journalist Benyamin Cohen has a bizarre side hustle as the manager of Einstein's official social media accounts, which have 20 million followers-more than most living celebrities. In The Einstein Effect, Cohen embarks on a global quest to unearth Einstein's ongoing relevance today. Along the way, he meets scientists and celebrities, speaks to dozens with the last name Einstein (including two rabbis), and even tracks down the brain of Einstein, stolen from his body during the autopsy. Cohen shows us the myriad ways the Nobel Prize winner's influence is still with us, giving an in-depth-and often hilarious-look at the world's favorite genius like you've never seen him before.

"Both quest and guide, it is a fascinating and funny exploration of all things Einstein, from the perspective of a lay person who never set out to become the modern-day virtual voice of history's most revered scientist." -- Zoomer Magazine, "General readers will appreciate the simple explanations of Einstein's innovations, and the wacky trivia amuses. It's a diverting tribute to Einstein's lasting influence." -- Publishers Weekly, "A fascinating and funny guide to history's favorite genius--and why he still matters." -- A. J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author, "Albert Einstein left us some seven decades ago, but the world he created lives on--and there's no better tour guide to it than Benyamin Cohen. He serves up the science, of course, but thankfully lightened with a healthy dose of pop culture and humor. A book for geniuses and the rest of us alike." -- Derek Baxter, author of In Pursuit of Jefferson, "An extraordinary, whirlwind adventure into all things Einstein, examining why the life and work of the 20th century genius still inspires and impresses us today. From Einstein's actual brain to the modern technologies that his theories anticipated, Cohen offers a masterful and astounding tour. Full of humor and surprises, The Einstein Effect is the perfect read for fans of a larger-than-life figure whose heartfelt dedication to human rights rivaled only his groundbreaking science." -- Paul Halpern, physics professor and author of Einstein's Dice and Schrödinger's Cat

Benyamin Cohen is the News Director of the Forward. He has written for the Washington Post, the Daily Beast and Slate. Cohen is also the author of My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith, named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly and for which he received the Georgia Author of the Year award. Cohen previously served as the Content Director for the Mother Nature Network, and was the founding editor of both Jewsweek and American Jewish Life magazine. He is based in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he lives with his wife, three dogs, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-Hens.