Einstein's Dice and Schrödinger's Cat: How Two Great Minds Battled Quantum Randomness To Create a Unified Theory of Physics

Halpern (physics, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia; Collider; Brave New Universe) describes the relationship between two Nobel-winning physicists. Albert Einstein, who was the elder of the two men, was a mentor to and correspondent with Erwin Schrödinger, and each was supportive of the other's work until their competing ideas on a theory unifying gravity and electromagnetism collided. The clash was exacerbated in large part by a media frenzy to which both contributed and from which both suffered, though they later able made some amends. Rapid changes in physics and in world politics in the 20th century, and events in the men's personal lives are woven elegantly into the narration that is accentuated by poetic section titles such as "Gift from the Devil's Grandmother." A unifying theory is still elusive, leaving one to wonder if, had things gone differently, these two would have validated such a theory and we would know more about our universe.