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This volume covers one of the most thrilling two-year periods in twentieth-century physics, as matrix mechanics鈥攄eveloped chiefly by W. Heisenberg, M. Born, and P. Jordan鈥攁nd wave mechanics鈥攄eveloped by E. Schr枚dinger鈥攕upplanted the earlier quantum theory. The almost one hundred writings by Einstein, of which a third have never been published, and the more than thirteen hundred letters show Einstein鈥檚 immense productivity and hectic pace of life.

Einstein quickly grasps the conceptual peculiarities involved in the new quantum mechanics, such as the difference between Schr枚dinger鈥檚 wave function and a field defined in spacetime, or the emerging statistical interpretation of both matrix and wave mechanics. Inspired by correspondence with G. Y. Rainich, he investigates with Jakob Grommer the problem of motion in general relativity, hoping for a hint at a new avenue to unified field theory.

Einstein falls victim to scientific fraud when, in a collaboration with E. Rupp, he becomes convinced that the latter鈥檚 experiments, aimed at deciding whether excited atoms emit light instantaneously (in quanta) or in a finite time (in waves), confirm a wave-theoretic explanation.

While it was known that the teenage Einstein had been romantically involved with Marie Winteler in 1895, newly discovered documents reveal that his love for Marie was rekindled in 1909鈥�10 while he was still married to Mileva Mari膰.

The 1925 Locarno Treaties renew Einstein鈥檚 optimism in European reconciliation. He backs the 鈥淚nternational manifesto against compulsory military service鈥� and continues his participation in the League of Nations鈥� International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. He remains intensely committed to the shaping of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, although his enthusiasm for this cause is sorely tested.