"Einstein begins his Autobiographical Notes with one problem he never quite solved: "What, precisely, is thinking?" To answer, he turns inward to the very shape of his thoughts, the ongoing struggle to connect local observation, or what he calls the "momentary and personal," to the larger "mental grasp of things." Einstein situates his greatest discoveries amongst the other twentieth-century breakthroughs in the field and closely examines how these discoveries punctuated and propelled his own intellectual development. The autobiography expands what we know about Einstein's childhood education, readings in philosophy, and journey to the theory of general relativity. In this book, Autobiographical Notes is accompanied by introductions, essays, and commentary by Hanoch Gutfreud and Jürgen Renn, who draw on biographical information, written correspondence, and their knowledge of Einstein scholarship to render these difficult texts accessible to readers. They have also collected critical writings by Einstein's contemporaries alongside Einstein's own responses to these interlocutors, as well as Einstein's Autobiographical Sketch, composed just before his death in 1955, which is published for the first time in English"--

"Hell on Ice: The Saga of the \"Jeannette\"" recounts one of the most harrowing and inspiring tales of Arctic exploration in history. Edward Ellsberg masterfully chronicles the ill-fated Jeannette expedition and the extraordinary ordeal of its crew. Plunging into the treacherous landscape of the 19th-century Arctic, the "Jeannette" became trapped and ultimately succumbed to the crushing pressure of the ice. This is the story of survival against impossible odds, focusing on the leadership and unwavering courage of George W. Melville. Facing shipwreck and starvation, the men of the "Jeannette" embarked on a desperate journey across the frozen wasteland. "Hell on Ice" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a gripping account of a pivotal moment in the history of polar exploration. A classic story of courage and endurance, this book will captivate anyone interested in historical expeditions and the drama of survival in the face of unimaginable adversity. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"It was one of history's great vanishing acts. As early as 3500 BCE, scribes in the mud-walled city-state of Sumer used a reed stylus to press tiny wedge-shaped symbols into clay. For three thousand years, the script chronicled the military conquests, scientific discoveries, and epic literature of the grand kingdoms of Mesopotamia - Assyria, Babylon, the mighty Achaemenid Empire - along with precious minutia about everyday life so long ago. But as the palaces of these once great kingdoms sank beneath the desert sands, the meaning of these characters was lost. London, 1857. Colossal sculptures of winged bulls and alabaster bas-reliefs depicting cities under siege and vassals bearing tributes to Biblical kings lined the halls of the British Museum. In the Victorian era's obsession with the triumph of human progress, the mysterious kingdoms of ancient Mesopotamia - the very cradle of civilization - had captured the public imagination. Yet Europe's best philologists struggled to decipher the strange characters. Cuneiform seemed to have thousands of symbols - with some scholars claiming each could be pronounced in up to eight, nine, even ten different ways. Others insisted they'd cracked the code and deciphered inscriptions that corresponded precisely to the Old Testament - proving the veracity of the Word of God. Was it all a hoax? A delusion? A rollicking adventure through the golden age of archaeology, The Writing on the Wall tracks the decades-long race to decipher the oldest script in the world. It's the story of a swashbuckling young archeologist, a suave British military officer, and a curmudgeonly Irish rector, all vying for glory - from the ruins of Persepolis to the opulence of Ottoman-era Baghdad - in a quest to unearth the relics of lost civilizations and unlock the secrets of humanity's past"--

"For years Heather Roberson, a passionate peace activist, has argued that war can always be avoided. But she has repeatedly faced counter-arguments that fighting is an inescapable consequence of world conflicts. Indeed, Heather finds proving her point to be a little tricky without examples to bolster her case. So she does something a little crazy: She sets out for far-off Macedonia, a landlocked country north of Greece and west of Bulgaria, to explore a region that has edged--repeatedly--dangerously close to the brink of violence, only to refrain. In the process--and as vividly portrayed by the talented duo of Harvey Pekar and Ed Piskor--Heather is tangled in red tape, ripped off by cabdrivers and hotel clerks, hit on by creepy guys, secretly photographed, and mistaken for a spy. She also creates unlikely friendships, learns that getting lost means something new, and makes some startling discoveries. War is hell and peace is difficult--but conflict is always necessary." -- Publisher's description

Embark on a thrilling journey through the heart of Tibet with "Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2): Discoveries and Adventurers in Tibet" by renowned explorer Sven Hedin. This meticulously prepared republication offers a rare glimpse into early 20th-century exploration of the Trans-Himalaya region and its surrounding landscapes. Delve into Hedin's detailed accounts of his travels in Tibet and China, encountering remote cultures and navigating challenging terrains. Experience the adventure firsthand as Hedin documents his discoveries, providing invaluable insights into the geography, history, and culture of this fascinating region. "Trans-Himalaya" is a testament to the enduring allure of exploration and the spirit of adventure. Perfect for readers interested in the history of travel, the geography of Asia, and the captivating life of Sven Hedin, this volume offers a unique and timeless perspective on a world that continues to inspire awe and wonder. A classic work of travel literature, this book offers an unparalleled window into a bygone era of discovery. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.