
What was Albert Einstein like as a person? How did J. Robert Oppenheimer's religious background impact his scientific endeavors? Why did John Stewart Bell get into physics in the first place? Prolific science writer Jeremy Bernstein has followed up on his original Quantum Profiles, published in 1990, with seven added profiles: Wendell Furry, Philipp Frank, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Victor Weisskopf, Tom Lehrer, Max Jammer, and Robert Serber. The profiles on John Stewart Bell, John Wheeler, and Albert Einstein from the first edition have been revised and expanded, as well. Bernstein presents each profile carefully, and the context provided in these historical profiles is revolutionary in each approach. Bernstein's unique academic and social background allows readers to fully grasp the character profiles in each chapter. With a conversational writing style, Bernstein lets readers get to know these ten prolific physicists-from personalities to historical and scientific significance-in a whole new way.
This collection investigates the intersection of personal character and scientific achievement in the lives of ten influential twentieth-century physicists. Jeremy Bernstein, a physicist and long-time contributor to The New Yorker, utilizes his personal acquaintance with many of his subjects and his deep technical knowledge to bridge the gap between abstract scientific theory and human biography. He argues that understanding the individual motivations, cultural backgrounds, and social contexts of these scientists is necessary to fully comprehend the development of modern physics.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and readers frequently note that Bernstein’s prose is accessible and conversational, making complex historical figures feel approachable. The text is widely regarded as a valuable resource for those interested in the human side of the scientific community rather than purely technical manuals.
Page Count:
222
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190056886
ISBN-13:
9780190056889
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