I N T R O D U C T I O N T O V O L U M E 1 6 l x i Einstein’s health crisis apparently softened the formerly combative stances of father and son. Possibly in reaction to initial reports of Einstein’s ill health, Hans Albert again asked for his assistance in finding new employment in late March 1928, now wishing for a job in Berlin so as to be closer to his father (Abs. 460). A dramatic breakthrough in their relationship ensued in June, when Einstein met his daughter-in-law for the very first time. He was pleasantly surprised by Frieda, con- trary to all his previous expectations, and now believed that her influence on his son was positive. He found his son happier, healthier, and more open, and was ready to give the couple his blessing on condition they remained childless (Docs. 183, 223, 237). When comparing his two sons’ intellectual abilities, Einstein termed Hans Albert a “good-natured twit,” whereas he deemed the younger Eduard “too intel- lectual” (Doc. 144). This intellectual bent, displayed in the exchanges with his fa- ther that burgeoned and flourished throughout the previous volume,[38] continues in this period, albeit at a less intense pace, particularly from Einstein’s side. In Sep- tember 1927, Eduard even admonished his father, tongue-in-cheek, for not suffi- ciently educating his younger son (Doc. 56). Eduard’s deep emotional sensitivity is strikingly apparent in his correspondence (see, e.g., Doc. 56), whereas Einstein’s attitude toward his son continued to be ambivalent. He was proud of Eduard’s ob- vious literary talents, derived great joy from his intellectually vibrant letters, and opined that he would eventually become a teacher or an author (Doc. 137). He also admired Eduard’s ability to “consider a situation from a distance with a mischie- vous eye” (Doc. 237). Yet he also was critical of Eduard’s “impersonal” writing style, his complete lack of gumption, and praised him tongue-in-cheek as possibly one of the people “who simply enjoy God’s creation” (Doc. 57). In their continued discussion of eudaimonism, Einstein warned his son against placing too much em- phasis on the intellect, which could come at the expense of “natural feelings and action.” He therefore urged Eduard to “resemble an animal more.” Even though science and art could unfetter the individual from the ego, they could also lead to subjugation, morbid effeminacy, and oversophistication (Doc. 108). In October 1928, Einstein was displeased when some of Eduard’s aphorisms published in Switzerland were linked to his father’s famous name (Doc. 299). In June 1928, he was dismayed to learn that Eduard had suffered a recurrence of pulmonary ailments and pessimistically predicted that the doctors would not be able to help (Doc. 223). Eduard’s evolving self-image is also apparent from the correspondence. In January 1928, he confessed uncertainty about a suitable profession for himself, and