Wisdom of the Martians of Science: In Their Own Words with Commentaries - Softcover

Balazs Hargittai; István Hargittai

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9814723819 ISBN 13: 9789814723817

Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company, 2016

Synopsis

The book is not only immensely interesting, but also illustrated with an exceptional collection of photographs. - Anders Barany, former Deputy Director of the Nobel Museum, Stockholm

Wisdom comes with age, yet much of the wisdom collected here was acquired long before its time ... Here, set in just the right amount of historical context, is a group portrait of their time. Insights abound - yet the miracle of how this constellation of genius appeared at this critical moment in history remains no less astonishing for being so well explained. - George Dyson, author of Turing's Cathedral: The Origin of the Digital Universe

I recommend highly the Hargittais' book. It is a stimulating read of the thinking and views of five Hungarian born scientists (the fictional Martians). They significantly contributed to fundamental changes of our life from the harnessing of the energy of the atom (and the need to live with the atom bomb) to the emergence of the computer age. - George A Olah, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1994

Five scientific pioneers were outstanding geniuses ... This book reveals both their brilliance and their humanity. - William Lanouette, author of Genius in the Shadows: A Biography of Leo Szilard, the Man Behind the Bomb

This book is a strong and often charming group profile of five great Hungarian scientists of an earlier age. The book is simple in structure, learned and reasonable in tone, and generous with photographs and telling details. It is a marvelous book and I hope that it finds a wide audience. - Andrew Szanton, co-author of The Recollections of Eugene P Wigner

Through direct quotes from the five characters and commentaries from other people who knew them, the authors offer an insight into the thinking of such great minds, which they find instructive and entertaining. - CERN Courier

The book should appeal to historians interested in this period of science, and to the general reader who wishes to get to know better these individuals whose work influenced so much the second half of the 20th century. - Chemistry World

Wisdom of the Martians of Science refers to five scientists whose brilliance contributed to shaping the modern world. John von Neumann was a pioneer of the modern computer; Theodore von Karman was the scientist behind the US Air Force; Leo Szilard initiated the development of nuclear weapons; the Nobel laureate Eugene P Wigner was the world's first nuclear engineer; and Edward Teller was the father of the hydrogen bomb. They were born and raised in Budapest, were forced out of Hungary and then from Germany, they became Americans, and devoted themselves to the defense of the United States and the Free World.

They contributed significant discoveries to fundamental science ranging from the properties of materials to the application of the symmetry principle in physics, to creating information theory, to game theory. The areas in which we can learn about their wisdom include applications of science to past, present and future real-world needs; defense; education; environment; human nature; humor; politics; religion; weather modification, and others.

This book shows the wisdom of the Martians by presenting their thoughts and ideas in their own words and placing them into context. Their wisdom is intriguing, witty, provocative and thought provoking. It extended over many aspects of life and culture that impinge on our existence. While we cannot always agree with what they say, they are never boring. The power of their words and their philosophies will inspire the readers to pursue their own dreams.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Wisdom of the Martians of Science refers to five scientists whose brilliance contributed to shaping the modern world. John von Neumann was a pioneer of the modern computer; Theodore von Krmn was the scientist behind the US Air Force; Leo Szilard initiated the development of nuclear weapons; the Nobel laureate Eugene P Wigner was the world's first nuclear engineer; and Edward Teller was the father of the hydrogen bomb. They were born and raised in Budapest, were forced out of Hungary and then from Germany, they became Americans, and devoted themselves to the defense of the United States and the Free World. They contributed significant discoveries to fundamental science ranging from the properties of materials to the application of the symmetry principle in physics, to creating information theory, to game theory. The areas in which we can learn about their wisdom include applications of science to past, present and future real-world needs; defense; education; environment; human nature; humor; politics; religion; weather modification, and others. This book shows the wisdom of the Martians by presenting their thoughts and ideas in their own words and placing them into context. Their wisdom is intriguing, witty, provocative and thought provoking. It extended over many aspects of life and culture that impinge on our existence. While we cannot always agree with what they say, they are never boring. The power of their words and their philosophies will inspire the readers to pursue their own dreams.

Edition details

• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9814723819
• ISBN 13: 9789814723817
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264