Memoir Historical Investigation for Giant of Science Albert Einstein By SeoYeon Park
Primary Source:
This is a photograph of the atomic bomb detonation over Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6th, 1945. This is powerful and vivid photo, because this is what that really happened (true incident). That’s why I chose this photograph. It is connected to my book, because it shows the power of the atomic bomb.
Secondary Source: This is an article from a website page titled 'Modern World History Online'. The website describes itself as an "Albert Einstein, major scientific theories of" by VIKING in 2000. I chose this source because there are many facts that help me to study and learn about the Theory of Relativity deeply. It is connected my book because Einstein found the Theory of Relativity and it had been issued for the atomic bomb. Also, Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize for the Theory of Relativity. When I read a book, I was little bit stuck in the part when it explains about the Theory of Relativity, because there was not enough information. Also, it has some hard words that made me confuse. However, after I saw this article, it was easy to understand and knew more about it.
Summary and Review: This is a book about Albert Einstein’s life (biography), which starts since his childhood and many descriptions about his famous and important incidents such as works from his laboratory or the Theory of Relativity that he discovered. It shows the reader to know the reason why he could successfully discovered it. Also, there are descriptions about his wife and their relationship; he had married twice. Lastly, this book shows how he worked as a pacifist, not a scientist. I would give a high rate and I think many people would enjoy this book because first, it has many information of other scientist so, the reader can easily compare with Albert Einstein. For example on page 13, it has some descriptions of Newton. “…Newton too saw patterns-but Einstein went much further. It wasn’t that Newton was wrong. His way of looking at the world was useful, up to a point.” Also, this book is very interesting because it shows many red hat point of view, which means that there are many emotions through the character (Albert Einstein). On page 17, there is the one, which shows Albert Einstein’s traits. “He wasn’t chatty or sociable. He liked to go his own way. Expressing things in words didn’t come naturally to him.”
What should I do? Pwwwww…… BOMB! In 1939, it was a deep, deep starless night and the moon was covered by clouds. In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, the atomic bombs had exploded with an enormous sound and smoke burst into the sky. Combat planes were in the sky and then suddenly, a large number of people died. “What did I just do? I‟m the same as a murderer. How can that be? It is terrible,” Albert Einstein, the famous scientist being a pacifist started to talk to himself and fell into a huge panic like never before. Einstein pushed away everything on his desk and threw out all of his papers which had the words, „Theory of Relativity‟ written on them. Even though it was midnight, and his children were sleeping; he didn‟t care. He just couldn‟t control himself. However, there was one person who could help and figure out for a solution. “Calm down, Albert. Calm down.” Albert Einstein‟s wife tried to help him but there was no way to stop Einstein. “Elsa, how do you think I can calm down? I am panicing „cause I felt like my head will turn into a… white empty blank space. I don‟t know what I should do next. I am going to stop everything and think of a solution.” After he finished communicating his plan, he wanted to be alone. “I‟m sorry for you, but what could we do? It‟s already bombed and… It‟s almost 3 a.m. You need to take a rest, and I hope you come up with a solution quickly. I‟m sorry for bothering you.” Elsa Einstein wanted to follow his thoughts so,
she didn‟t console him anymore. However, Einstein felt more comfortable after his wife had consoled him warmly. A solution that Einstein wanted to figure was he hoped nobody never ever make the atomic bomb for the world peace. He started to write a speech which had a full explanation and his statement about the atomic bomb. Finally, he finished and that afternoon, he walked to the middle of the old-town and began his speech. “Everyone! It is time for peace and freedom! We should step forward and never give up. We are not bleeding and fighting anymore. We should do something. We are still alive to create something new and…” Einstein continued his speech with painstaking care. Everyone agreed with him and clapped for the touching speech. It was successful. He spoke his speech twice a week so, people could see it. People often called it, „Einstein‟s peace-movement‟. Many people believed him and started to join the group. They wrote the speech like Einstein did and spoke to people or sent it to their neighbour to move their minds. Not only had the speech, Einstein worked on the chemicals that stop the atomic reaction. While he was concentrating really hard, Albert Einstein forgot to change his clothes, sleep, take a bath, and he didn‟t even eat anything except when his wife gave him some food and watched until he ate all of it. Because he worked so hard and was old, Einstein became ill and the sickness got worse. He started to cough more than he did and he had to walk leaning on a cane. Elsa was worried about his health so, she gave him a stiff shoulder massage every day. However, he didn‟t stop experimenting until he figured out the way.
One day, one month, and one year… It was the year that Einstein was 70. Einstein did the experiments for the peace non-stop. His physical condition was worsening so that sometimes he had to study lying down on his bed. At first, Elsa thought it wouldn‟t take much time, but it actually took a year to do. Einstein assured her that if something is a time-consuming job, it is more clear and accurate. With this though, he was able to do it steadily. “FINALLY!” shouted Einstein as loudly as he could, “Elsa, I did it. I‟ve finally done it! I just have to take a time and watch if it works!” Albert Einstein‟s wife, Elsa caught sight at him and replied, “Congrats, Albert. I knew you‟d make it.” “Oh, thank you! And I‟m sorry for you and our children that I didn‟t take care of you guys. I should have done it even if I was concentrating on my work. I‟m sorry, please forgive me.” Einstein apologized with a sorrowful expression. “We are fine, Honey. It was all for the benefit. Our children and I already forgave you a long time ago.” “Daddy! Daddy!” Einstein‟s children came from the second floor and hugged him, “I‟m so proud of you. I love you, daddy” “I love you, too. I love all of you!” Einstein replied to his lovely family.
Works Cited Atomic Bomb Blast, Hiroshima. Photography.EncyclopĂŚdia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 15 Oct 2012. <http://quest.eb.com/images/139_1917424> O'Brien, Patrick K., gen. ed. "Albert Einstein, major scientific theories of."Encyclopedia of World History. Copyright George Philip Limited. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE53&iPin=ewh01979&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 15, 2012). <http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE53> Albert Einstein (Giants of Science). 2009. Photograph. N.p.: VIKING, n.d. N. pag.Strandbook. Web. Oct. 2009. <http://www.strandbooks.com/product/alberteinstein-0670063320>.