A very readable, well-researched bio about a towering figure of 20th century science
928582
This well-researched bio offers a wealth of interesting revelations (at least, to me) about one of the 20th centurys most important, relatively unsung physicists (unsung compared to, say, Einstein, Feynman, Oppenheimer). I hadnt realized, for example, that Fermis Nobel Prize was awarded for breakthrough results of neutron irradiation that he and his team had misinterpreted, or that, to avoid trouble with Mussolinis regime, Fermi had joined Italys fascist party before fleeing with his family to the U.S. just before World War II started. Along with lucid explanations of Fermis research and discoveries, Schwartz does a very nice job of putting Fermis story in historical context, and of depicting Fermi the man (the latter was a challenge given that he left no diaries and wrote few personal letters). One of the books strongest suits is its thoroughgoing fair-mindedness  Schwartz takes pains throughout to present a balanced portrait of this complex genius, giving him his due as a towering scientist without veering into hagiography, and judiciously going into his occasional mistakes and some not-so-admirable personal qualities. The result is a very gratifying, readable narrative that, quite literally, I couldn't put down.
4167990
It is not uncommon to find fictional accounts of the lives of famous historical figures, nor of encounters between them. Kehlmann's book is unusual in its choice of personalities and in the way in which he creates an entertaining description of the two. In the late eighteenth century, Carl Friedrich Gauss and Alexander von Humboldt had both embarked on the same quest: finding a new way of measuring the world. The two heroes couldn't be more different in character and approach. Gauss believed that "a man alone at his desk" represented the real scientist whereas von Humboldt saw him as a world traveler, collecting the evidence in the field and taking measurements wherever he went. Basing himself on the historical records of their lives and work, Kehlmann has created a tongue-in-cheek intimate portrait of these two scientific giants of their time.

Gauss was a child prodigy from poor lower class background. He became known as the  "Prince of Mathematicians" for his mathematical genius and who wrote his major scientific work at the age of 21. His name has been attached to many scientific discoveries including magnetism and astronomy. Not much is known of his private life, though, except for the bare facts of family and jobs that he had to support himself. He treated many of his scientific deductions as too easy and commonsensical to write about, only to be annoyed when somebody else published something related. Today we would say he was a curmudgeon kind of character. Count von Humboldt, on the other hand, came from a well-off aristocratic family and was spoiled for options what to do with his life. He and brother Wilhelm, a diplomat and linguist, have been a household name then and now, at least in German speaking countries.  Alexander's work as a naturalist and explorer were well publicized during his lifetime. He was the first to explore the geological and botanical diversity of remote regions of Central and Latin America and wrote detailed scientific reports about his findings. He is seen as one of the fathers of biogeography. Later on, his travel bug took him all the way across Russia and almost to China.  Late in life, the geniuses meet at the 1828 science congress in Berlin. However, the encounter didn't quite live up to the expectations built over many years of knowing of each other's work in the same area of science.

Kehlmann brings his subjects close to the reader by focusing on a series of episodes from each of their lives, alternating between the two. Written in a lively style, he endears us to their personalities, bringing out their strengths and foibles. He introduces us to their scientific findings in a light-hearted easy-going way that capture the essence without overburdening the reader. Rather than creating long section of dialogue, he lets his protagonists express themselves in indirect dialogue. Allusions to contemporary events and issues are sprinkled throughout the narrative and add an often funny commentary. Measuring the World is a great read and highly recommended. [Friederike Knabe]
1643130
This book is about the person that some consider the smartest man of our time, Albert Einstein. It starts out introducing the reader to some of his accomplishments and contributions to science.

There is also biographical information and the tidbits on the fact that he was thought to have a form of autism, and why.

There are details about Einstein and the Nazis, as well as lessons we can learn from Einstein, and even some thoughtful quotes.

I would recommend this book to anyone that liked Albert Einstein or is interested in science and the people behind some of the most popular ideas in science.
3531621
Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman have put an immense effort into writing an exhaustive review of Norbert Wiener, one of the great geniuses of the last century.  Wiener spoke an ungodly number of languages, got his PhD from Harvard at the age of 19, made immense contributions to mathematics, biology, computer sciences, medicine, political thought - even in McCarthy's heyday he had no qualms about speaking his mind -, etc, etc.

As generally is the case with biographies of Wunderkinder, the authors ultimately are not equal to their subjects, not for lack of effort, but for lack of having the intellect necessary to understand and do justice to an ber-prodigy.  And so it is with this book; rather than to analyze and judge Wiener's various accomplishments and beliefs, which range from phenomenal scientific accomplishments to believing that he had been reincarnated, the authors prefer to "tell it as it was" and let the reader draw his or her conclusions.

Despite these inevitable limitations, this book is well worth reading, albeit thoughtfully.
4295269
This is a wonderfully rich biography of such a significant historical figure. Metaxas' historical research is first-rate, as he quotes primary sources at great length throughout the book: papers, letters, journals, etc. One really feels that history has been brought to life in this excellent book.

Metaxas presents Bonhoeffer's life story in a highly chronological way, beginning with his childhood and family life, then on through his travels abroad, and culminating with the pivotal final years in Germany. Yet despite the book's nearly 550-page length, I did not at all feel as though the book was too long or too detailed. Metaxas writes in such an engaging style that I did not want to stop reading. If I could have, I might have read the book through in one sitting, because it really was that interesting. I highly recommend this book.
1107735
This is the finest biography since Truman by McCullough; with Malcolm X being the greatest autobiography of all time.  We get a full picture of Oppenheimer--his politics, his personality, and his science.  Beautifully written and the physics/chemistry is explained in near laymen terms.  Love this book!

When I was growing up in the 70s/80s, I wanted to be a physicist like Einstein, my hero at the time.  Oppenheimer, I realize after reading this biography, was also a monumental figure in 20th century science.
3524524
"The Girls of Atomic City" is a very readable nonfiction story not only about the women at what is now Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who helped on the Manhattan Project by performing discrete, self-contained tasks, which only a handful (the much-higher-ups) knew the overall purpose of. Having been born in Tennessee, I found this more than generally interesting but personally interesting. I must say: I was tempted to skip the "science" chapters, which describe the related scientific work and progress going on at and outside what was then Clinton Engineering Works, but I stuck with them. My interest was keenly piqued concerning the science about midway through the book, once I had a good grasp of that other story's primary persons. Reading that the early work of a couple of women scientists was not recognized at the time made me more appreciative of my sister's uphill battles in engineering classes and work during the early and mid-1970s. I'm so glad that so much has changed for women, but really, this nation does owe a debt of gratitude to these unsung heroines of the Manhattan Project.
4411389
Really enjoyed this autobiography by Leopold Infeld, especially how he relates how his career overlapped events of the early part of the twentieth century, both political and scientific. Purchased this book because I also enjoyed a book he coauthored with Albert Einstein which I thought was especially well written. Very clear writing style. Professor Infeld also discusses many of his personal feelings about events during his life.  I never had heard of Professor Infield before reading the above book mentioned which he coauthored. Glad I do know of him now, as he has made important contributions to physics.
2149527
Engrossing and fascinating look at the life of the 20th century's greatest genius. His life story is something everyone should read , of his many moves and political views about Nazism, Germany , and Israel. The discussion of his thoughts and development of his special theory of relativity and especially of the General Theory show the beauty and creativity of high level  science. I highly recommend this book .
3446090
Weiner is capable of describing complex data and thorny hypotheses with great clarity. His tale of Seymour Benzer was filled with the small anecdotes that we all shared about this great scientist, but also with insight into the brilliance of the man and his colleagues. A compelling book. I want to read it yet again to better understand the depth of Benzer's work. The historical review of genetics and the major players, including Mendel, Morgan, Sturtevant, and others that opened the field to the molecular revolution, gave me insights beyond my own lifetime of science. His differences of opinion with other great scientists such as Delbruck, Crick relfected the warmth and humanity of  an extraordinary generation of physicists turned biologists. A delightful book to read. My only reservation is the closing chapter on human brains. He misunderstands the nature of Blindsight, and his description of Carol Miller's notions of localization of "apathy" is not up to the standard of the rest of the book.
732117
Tycho and Kepler is a detailed biography of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler, covering both their personal lives and their scientific careers.  It's arranged in chronological order, smoothly transitioning between the two scientists.  I liked this format a lot because it made it so easy to see how their lives related to one another.  There was actually quite a lot of personal drama, although it was mostly presented an impersonal manner - enough so that I really want to read some historical fiction now to get a "first-person" perspective on this fascinating time period!

Another part of the story which was surprisingly prominent was the detailed description of the astronomical concepts involved in both Tycho's and Brahe's work.  There were a lot of informative figures used to help with these explanations, as well as an appendix of astronomy terms, but there were still some times when I felt a little lost. The scientific mindset of the time was explained much better. A very interesting point the author raised was they way in which scientists of the time approached astronomy.  Due to their inability to prove any of their theories, in judging the validity of any system they could only consider its' ability to make predictions and its' elegance.  They didn't treat these systems as realistic models of the world, but as useful mathematical tools. Brahe and Kepler changed all that and in doing so changed the way we do science.

I really enjoyed the focus on what these two men did for science.  I also felt like I learned a lot reading this, despite little previous knowledge of the time period. Over all this was a fun and interesting read, that was both well researched and easy to follow.
3954112
Isaacson assembles a biography with enough details to make a high school English student puke, but it creates a complete picture of one of the world's most famous scientists. Einstein's charisma is clearly illustrated in this text, from personal relationships to his obsessive pursuit to explain the universe. It took me 6 weeks to read partly because I'm a slow reader, partly because the book is heavy, but mostly because I enjoyed the ride. I'm no physics major but managed to comprehend many of Isaacson's presentations of Einstein's theories and thought experiments, most of which I've forgotten by now. By and far, it was most satisfying to look inside his personal life, how he married his cousin (you read that right), never wore socks, was truly absent-minded, and was still working on his theories on his deathbed.
2345516
There are a number of biographies available that provide insight into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer.  It was a pleasure to see the scholarly depth and breadth brought to the topic by Bird in American Prometheus.  The exhaustive research no doubt undertaken in the creation of this work is revealed page after page with insightfully chosen quotes from letters and other works of Oppenheimer's colleagues and critics.  A truly marvelous window into the life of a 20th century icon.
1029458
This is an excellent biography of Mary Shelley, author of the first science fiction novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus.

At the outset, biographer Anne K. Mellor provides a helpful and thorough chronology of Mary Shelley's life from her birth in 1797 to her death in 1851.

Mellor then proceeds to write a scholarly, fascinating, well organized, and clearly written study of Mary Shelley's life.

I read it because of my interest in Frankenstein as a study in the effects of unrepaired shame on human development. Mellor devotes several chapters to Frankenstein including: Making a Monster, My Hideous Progeny, and Revising Frankenstein. Mellor also includes an Appendix: Percy Shelley's Revision of the Manuscript of Frankenstein.

As Mellor notes in her Preface, "Frankenstein is rapidly becoming an essential text for our exploration of female consciousness and literary technique."

I highly recommend this book.
2409412
A really good biography, covering all aspects of Sagan's life, including his weaknesses. I strongly recommend this book for those who really have enjoyed reading his books (Cosmos, Pale Blue Dot, Comet, Billions and  Billions, The Demon- Haunted World, Contact-the novel, etc.). This book  allows the reader to understand how Sagan came up with the ideas he so  clearly developed and expressed in his books and novel. The book also shows  how he hold to the belief of extraterrestrial life. This aspect of his life  is presented and explained in detail throughout the book, and therefore, a  good reading for those interested in SETI. I was, until I read this book.
1909164
I read all of Nevil Shute's books, except this autobiography, at a much earlier time. I've periodically searched for this book for the last twenty years, and now I'm so glad to have read it. It helps to explain why I enjoyed the man's novels so much.
I was aware that Mr. Shute worked in aeronautical engineering, but had no idea he played such an important role in the industry. I had pictured his early engineering work much like his character in "No Highway in the Sky", a task oriented almost 'nerd-like' man with no interest beyond the laboratory. In an age when people seem to do all possible to elevate their public persona it is refreshing to look at a man who possessed humility.
I realize now how Mr. Shute could develop such wonderful characters in his novels, people with a full range of foibles but also the quiet courage that perserveres through struggles. He had his own life and his own dignity to build upon.
3800956
This is probably one of the best biographies I've read to date. Sherwin and Bird bring to light the portrait of a man whose contributions to science and its ethical repercussions are greatly undermined and underappreciated.

Oppenheimer is best known as the father of the atomic bomb; but in this biography the authors have convincingly argued how his "child" was never properly raised to further the benign advantages of atomic energy. Repenting the manifestation of "Death that soon had become", Oppenheimer attempted, but ultimately failed, to dissuade the US government - at the height of McCarthyism - from augmenting its nuclear arsenal, developing the H-bomb, and in working towards the Bohrian policy of "openess" (a policy encouraging nations to act transparently in nuclear energy-related matters). Instead, he became the victim of one of America's greatest anti-communist purges and was forced to witness the world come within yards of Armagaeddon.

While evidence of very thorough research is palpable, I must in particular commend the authors for their rare and genuine ability to reflect upon what they have compiled. As someone who has heard so much about the man who was responsible for the deaths of a many hundred thousands, I give fulsome praise to the authors' ability to convince me otherwise and sympathize with him. I'd also like to note the very completed nature of this biography; it does not only focus on what Oppenheimer is known for, but also on the smaller details that ultimately makes him human - albeit a fascinating one!

A biography that fully deserved a Pulitzer.