"This book tells the story of how Einstein reacted to the racism he saw around him, and to the fight against it by Princeton's long-established black community. It is a fascinating story and, unfortunately for our country, it is not just history but a contribution to contemporary struggles against American racism, at home and abroad."-John Stachel, director of the Center for Einstein Studies, Boston University, and founding editor of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein

"A fascinating and timely upgrade to our current perceptions of Einstein."-Thomas Pynchon

Nearly fifty years after his death, Albert Einstein remains one of America's foremost cultural icons. A thicket of materials, ranging from scholarly to popular, have been written, compiled, produced, and published about his life and his teachings. Among the ocean of Einsteinia-scientific monographs, biographies, anthologies, bibliographies, calendars, postcards, posters, and Hollywood films-however, there is a peculiar void when it comes to the connection that the brilliant scientist had with the African American community. Virtually nowhere is there any mention of his relationship with Paul Robeson, despite Einstein's close friendship with him, or W.E.B. Du Bois, despite Einstein's support for him.

This unique book is the first to bring together a wealth of writings by Einstein on the topic of race. Although his activism in this area is less well known than his efforts on behalf of international peace and scientific cooperation, he spoke out vigorously against racism both in the United States and around the world.

Combining the scientist's letters, speeches, and articles with an engaging narrative that places his public statements in the context of his life and times, this important collection not only brings attention to Einstein's antiracist public activities, but also provides insight into antiracist struggles in America.

Fred Jerome, a veteran journalist and science writer, is the author of The Einstein File: J. Edgar Hoover's Secret War against the World's Most Famous Scientist. Rodger Taylor is a freelance writer and a supervising branch librarian with the New York Public Library.