Leo Szilard: Science as a Mode of Being

by David A. Grandy

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.
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.

Hardcover

First published June 4, 1996

Reviews

[Hywel Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just a biography, but a superb insight into the human battles during the development of the atomic bomb, and a pretty accurate description of academic life.