True Genius: The Life and Work of Richard Garwin, the Most Influential Scientist You've Never Heard of

by Joel N. Shurkin

Richard Garwin was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack ObamaCalled a "true genius" by Enrico Fermi, Richard Garwin has influenced modern life in far-reaching ways, yet he is hardly known outside the physics community. This is the first biography of one of America's great minds--a top physicist, a brilliant technological innovator, and a trusted advisor of presidents for sixty years. Among his many contributions to modern technology are innovations we now take for air-traffic control systems, touch screens, color monitors, laser printers, GPS satellite navigation, and many other facets of everyday contemporary life.But certainly his most important work has been on behalf of nuclear disarmament. As a key member of the Los Alamos team that developed the hydrogen bomb (he created the final design), Garwin subsequently devoted much of his career to ensuring that nuclear weapons never again be used. He has spent hundreds of hours testifying before Congress, serving on government advisory committees, and doing work that is still classified, all the while working for IBM as a researcher. A genuine polymath, his ideas extend from propulsion systems for interplanetary flight to preventing flu epidemics. Never shy about offering his opinions, even to rigid government bureaucracies unwilling to change, Garwin continues to show leaders how to do the smart thing. The world is a more interesting and safer place because of his many accomplishments.

Genres: Biography, Science

324 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2017

About the author

Also writes as Joel Shurkin.

Reviews

[Matt Heavner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about an Amazing person and an extraordinary life in science and policy. A few of my favorite OSTP memories were working with Dick.

[Martha Krafton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about sciences and this was a pretty good read about Garwin's work on the a-bomb, his mentors and inventions. Really interesting.

[Isaac Perez Moncho · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was more about the different military programs Richard Garwin worked with than about Richard himself.
I would have liked a bit more of how he thought and how he did things.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating, well researched, but lacking in more personal information about Richard.
An extraordinary person.

[Robert Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing book, the narrative just wasn’t there to keep me engaged, it felt over praiseful and empty on scientific explanations. I gave up on the boom after 4 chapters.