The definitive scientific icon of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein is remember for one equation, E=mc², and the image of a white-haired, pipe-smoking professor who didn’t wear socks. But the equation comes from a time when all of his great work was done. The real Albert Einstein ­– the high school drop-out who won the Nobel Prize along with the hearts of so many young women – was young, handsome, dark haired and a natty dresser. And his greatest piece of work was so poorly understood at the time that the Nobel Committee, who couldn’t understand it, but in a panic felt they ought to give him a prize for something, honoured him for something else.

An introduction, afterword and clear chronological table place Einstein’s work in the context of the development of scientific knowledge.