Albert Einstein and Immanuel
Velikovsky were friends for many years.
In 1946 Velikovsky discussed
his idea's of an encounter with Venus in the
last few thousands years causing
a pole shift accounting for much of ancient
legend. He left Einstein a draft
of his book Worlds in Collisions.
Below is the letter of response
from Einstein. The two remained friends
for years after this. Einstein
was interested in the historical record
that might include a catastrophic
event of extraterrestrial origin
(comet, asteroid, ect) but from
his knowledge of physics he knew that a
a pole shift and encounter
with Venus in the last few thousand years
were both impossible.
July 8, 1946
Dr. Immanuel
Velikovsky
526 West
113 Str.
New York
City
Dear Mr.
Velikovsky:
I have read
the whole book about the planet Venus.
There is
much of interest in the book which proves that
in fact catastrophes
have taken place which must be
attributed
to extraterrestrial causes. However it is
evident to
every sensible physicist that these catast-
rophes can
have nothing to do with the planet Venus and
that also
the direction of the inclination of the
terrestrial
axis towards the ecliptic could not have under-
gone a considerable
change without the total destruction
of the earth's
entire crust. It were best in my opinion
if you would
in this way revise your books, which contain
truly valuable
material. If you cannot decide on this,
then what
is valuable in your deliberations will become
ineffective,
and it would be difficult finding a sensible
publisher
who would take the risk of such a heavy setback
upon himself.
I tell you
this in writing and return to you your manu-
script, since
I will not be free on the considered days.
With friendly
greetings, also to your daughter,
Your
Albert Einstein