Overview

Best known for his work on the atomic bomb, Leo Szilard made important contributions to twentieth-century physics, biology, and information theory. He is, however, an interesting figure apart from his scientific accomplishments. In brief, he did not merely do science, but lived it as well. He was a true believer in science and its potential to save the world. This intellectual biography of Szilard captures the visionary centerpoint of his passion for science and public activism. This work will be of interest to historians of science, physicists, and biologists. Contents: The Intellectual Landscape; The Thunderclap and Its Antecedents; Moving into Nuclear Physics; A Time of ""Heartbreak and Frustration""; Down the Shaft; From Physics to Biology and Political Chivalry; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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9780761803089

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Reviews

A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution...--Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn Choice

A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn, University of Toronto * CHOICE * A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies-but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels, Indiana University * CHOICE * A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced withextensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. * CHOICE * A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced with extensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. * CHOICE * A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn, University of Toronto * CHOICE * A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies-but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels, Indiana University * CHOICE *

A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn Choice A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies--but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels Choice A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced withextensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. Choice A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced with extensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. Choice A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn Choice A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies--but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels Choice

A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn, University of Toronto CHOICE A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies-but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels, Indiana University CHOICE A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced withextensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. CHOICE A well-researched, insightful, and intelligent analysis of a little-known scientific genius whose creative work from behind the scenes had major impacts on the science and technology of our century...based on considerable scholarship and enhanced with extensive notes and a rich bibliography, this very interesting biography is recommended. CHOICE A truly remarkable documentation of one man's wide-ranging quest engaging the birth of nuclear weapons with aspects of biological evolution... -- Dr. Thaddeus J. Trenn, University of Toronto CHOICE A lively, very readable yet thoughtful account of Szilard's amazingly rich intellectual development, and how it shaped his work both for, and later against, the development of nuclear weapons...A valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century American science and its tangled relationship with governmental and military agencies-but also a thought-provoking look at one scientist's struggle to figure out how to apply his science and himself for the benefit of human-kind, rather than its destruction. -- Linda Wessels, Indiana University CHOICE

Author Information

David A. Grandy is Associate Professor of History at Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

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