The Einstein Dossiers

In 1919 the Prussian Ministry of Science, Arts and Culture opened a dossier on " Einstein' s Theory of Relativity. " It was rediscovered by the author in 1961 and is used in conjunction with numerous other subsequently identified ' Einstein' files as the basis of this fascinating book. In particular, the author carefully scrutinizes Einstein' s FBI file from 1950-55 against mostly unpublished material from European including Soviet sources and presents hitherto unknown documentation on Einstein' s alleged contacts with the German Communist Party and the Comintern. Siegfried Grundmann' s thorough study of Einstein' s participation on a committee of the League of Nations, based on archival research in Geneva, is also new.

This book outlines Einstein' s image in politics and German science policy. It covers the period from his appointment as a researcher in Berlin to his fight abroad against the " boycott of German science" after World War I and his struggle at home against attacks on " Jewish physics" of which he was made a prime target. An important gap in the literature on Einstein is thus filled, contributing much new material toward a better understanding of Einstein' s so rigorous break with Germany.

Foreword. - The Kaiserreich: Military power and science - 'Sturdy pillars of Germany's greatness'. - Einstein's path to Berlin. - World War I. - Upshot. - Einstein in private not quite in private. - The Weimar Republic: Boycott of German science. - World renown. - Sponsorship the Einstein Tower. - A target for right-wing propaganda and violence. - Emissary and emigré Einstein's foreign travels. - Erstwhile Swiss, henceforth Prussian. Einstein's national citizenship. - Einstein's membership in the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. - Parting ways. Einstein and the end of the Weimar Republic. - The Third Reich: Shouts of triumph by a band of murderers. - Resignation from the Academy of Sciences. - Confiscations (bank account, summer villa and sailboat). - Conclusion. - Einstein's FBI file reports on Albert Einstein's Berlin period. - Fact, fiction and lies. - The informant. - Conclusion.