Title: Quantum Man: Richard Feynman’s Life in Science
Author: Lawrence M. Krauss
First published January 1, 2011
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780393064711 (ISBN10: 0393064719)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
Lawrence M. Krauss’ Quantum Man: Richard Feynman’s Life in Science is a thrilling scientific biography of the renowned Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was as intriguing a character as he was a brilliant mind.
Feynman’s contributions to quantum mechanics changed the way we perceive the world, and Krauss, himself a theoretical physicist and acclaimed author, offers a fresh perspective on Feynman’s life and legacy. From Feynman’s personal tragedies to his rise as a scientific icon, Krauss takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the life of a fascinating man who broke all the rules to tame a theory that broke all the rules.
With clear and innovative explanations of science at the limits, Quantum Man is a captivating reflection on the issues driving physics today and a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the enigmatic life of Richard Feynman.
About the Author
Meet Professor Lawrence M. Krauss, a brilliant theoretical physicist with a wide variety of research interests.
He is known internationally for his work on the interface between elementary particle physics and cosmology. He has studied everything from the early universe to the nature of dark matter, general relativity, and neutrino astrophysics.
His research has led him to investigate questions about the origin of all mass in the universe and the nature of exploding stars.
Krauss was born in New York City but grew up in Toronto, Canada. He received undergraduate degrees in both Mathematics and Physics at Carleton University before earning his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1982.
After that, he joined the Harvard Society of Fellows until 1985 when he became an assistant professor in the departments of Physics and Astronomy at Yale University. He was later promoted to associate professor before taking on the role of Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics, Professor of Astronomy, and Chairman of the Department of Physics at Case Western Reserve University in 1993.
He held that position for 12 years, during which he built up the department to be ranked among the top 20 Physics Graduate Research Programs in the country.
Krauss spearheaded many new initiatives during his time at Case Western Reserve University, including the creation of one of the top particle astrophysics experimental and theoretical programs in the US and a groundbreaking Masters Program in Physics Entrepreneurship. In 2002, he became the Director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics at Case.
In August 2008, Krauss took up his new post as Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics Department and Inaugural Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. The Origins Project aims to become a national center for research and outreach on origins issues, from the origins of the universe to human origins and the origins of consciousness and culture.
The project will also form a cross-cutting educational theme at ASU.
Krauss is not only a brilliant physicist but also an accomplished writer. He has authored over 300 scientific publications and numerous popular articles on physics and astronomy.
He has received many awards for his research and writing, including the Gravity Research Foundation First Prize Award and the Presidential Investigator Award. In 2000, he was awarded the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s 1999-2000 Award for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology.
In 2001, he was awarded the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize of the American Physical Society and the Andrew Gemant Award of the American Institute of Physics. He also won the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award in 2002 for his book “Atom”.
Editoral Review
Quantum Man: Richard Feynman’s Life in Science by Lawrence M. Krauss is an intriguing account of the life and work of Nobel laureate physicist Richard Feynman.
Lawrence M. Krauss, a theoretical physicist and best-selling author, is well-suited to write this biography, having also written books such as A Universe from Nothing and The Physics of Star Trek.
The book explores the key themes of Feynman’s life, such as his unconventional approach to science, his contributions to the development of the atomic bomb, his involvement in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and his pioneering work in quantum mechanics. Through these themes, readers gain insight into Feynman’s personality, his challenges, his intellectual curiosity, and his contributions to science.
Krauss does an excellent job of weaving together the science and the personal life of Feynman in a way that makes for a gripping read. For example, the book offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the Manhattan Project, in which Feynman played a key role, as well as the intricacies of quantum mechanics that Feynman helped to explain.
Krauss draws on a wealth of primary and secondary sources to flesh out the story of Feynman’s life, including interviews with Feynman’s colleagues, friends, and family members. The book brings to life the key historical and cultural events of the 20th century that Feynman was a part of, and how they influenced his life and work.
Krauss demonstrates Feynman’s impact on the field of physics and his relevance to today’s scientific issues, making Quantum Man a compelling read for anyone interested in science or history. Krauss’s writing is clear and engaging, and he skillfully avoids the pitfalls of jargon and technicality that can afflict books about science.
Readers will find the prose accessible and engaging, and the pacing of the book will keep them engaged from start to finish. However, at times, the book can be a bit dry, and some readers might find the level of detail to be overwhelming.
Overall, Quantum Man is an excellent biography of an exceptional scientist, written by an author who is himself a leader in the field of physics. One drawback is that readers without a science background might find the book too technical at times.
Nonetheless, the blend of science, history, and personal insights make Quantum Man worth reading. I recommend this book to anyone interested in science, history, or biography.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
