Research Catalog

Legends in their own time : a century of American physical scientists

Title: Legends in their own time : a century of American physical scientists / Anthony Serafini.
Author: Serafini, Anthony.
Publication: New York : Plenum Press, ©1993.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request for On-site Use Request Scan How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Text	Use in library	QC15 .S437 1993	Off-site

Details

Description

xv, 361 pages; 22 cm

Summary

America's scientific giants of the 20th century have transformed the world in terms of scientific understanding, military preparedness, and the quality and comfort of our daily lives. In this exquisitely written book, Anthony Serafini - a respected historian and philosopher of science - regales the reader with vivid descriptions of the lives and contributions of the men and women who explored the depth of molecular structure, relativity, astronomy, quantum mechanics, nuclear research, and much, much more. These evocative and stunning portrayals of some of the greatest scientists who ever lived delve into the personalities and opinions of these pioneers. Furthermore, Serafini makes their significant discoveries accessible and meaningful to everyone. You will meet the indefatigable Lee De Forest, whose passion for wireless telegraphy resulted in the Audion Radio Tube, which broadcasted radio to thousands of America's living rooms. The roster of distinguished scientists continues with Ernest Lawrence, who began his academic career with the hope of becoming a physician. He later succumbed to the enticement of physics, becoming the first to discover how to unleash the unimaginable power within the nucleus. This discovery ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. In addition, Robert Millikan astounded the scientific community by measuring the charge of an electron and convincing even the most hardened skeptics of the validity of the atomic theory of matter. Legends in Their Own Time recounts the most exciting events that took place during the Manhattan Project. It also explores the ongoing search for a Unified Field Theory of the cosmos - a goal that eluded even Albert Einstein. Serafini traces the evolution of scientists in America from a group of lackluster journeymen to world-renowned professionals, rivaling the scientific titans of Europe. This perceptive author portrays how the combination of politics and war has ironically contributed to the advancement of science. Through the author's insight and skill, this remarkable book recounts the fascinating history of the scientific geniuses who have built the foundations of modern science and technology.

Subject

Genre/Form

Biographies.

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

Astronomy and the Harvard Observatory -- Henry Rowland and electricity -- J. Willard Gibbs and the origins of physical chemistry -- A.A. Michelson and the ether -- R.A. Millikan and the maturity of American science -- The growth of American astronomy -- Irving Langmuir and the General Electric laboratories -- Linus Pauling and American quantum chemistry -- Arthur Compton and "Compton scattering" -- Davisson and Germer and quantum physics -- E.O. Lawrence and nuclear research -- Carl Anderson and antimatter -- Hans Bethe and energy in the sun -- The Manhattan Project: witness to the atomic age -- The myth of symmetry: Yang and Lee -- The emergence of solid-state physics -- Murray Gell-Mann and more particles: forces within the nucleus -- Richard Feynman and quantum electrodynamics -- Glashow, Weinberg, and the search for a unified field theory -- Beyond the cut.

ISBN

0306444607
9780306444609
0306444805 (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

92043949

OCLC

ocm27108287
27108287
SCSB-1981281

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library