Outstanding autobiography and popular science book
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J.A. Wheeler should be considered as a symbol of the really fantastic development of (primarily, theoretical) physics in this century. He was closely acquainted with practically all key figures, the founding fathers of quantum theory and the both relativities; moreover, he is the spiritual father of many other great physicists (R.P. Feynman to be named as the most outstanding of them). Wheeler's brilliant scientific achievements in quantum theory, nuclear physics and general relativity are widely known. Now we have his autobiography written in collaboration with his former student, K. Ford. This book in fact is a treatise on history of modern physics, many intimate details of the latter being outlined in it with captivating simplicity and - at the same time - full scientific rigour. This is a real treasure for every physicist, especially a lecturing one, as well as for students in physics and its history. Such an encounter with our contemporary colleague teaches and instructs us in our science, its laws of development, as well as it gives a new and profound aspiration to everybody to critically look into his/her proper behaviour in science and its vicinities. Let God and the Authors forgive me a bit of critics, but I have to mention an error in p. 143 in a caption under drawings by G. Gamow: the first of them is not of Niels Bohr, but of Paul Ehrenfest (acting as Faust), see G. Gamow, Thirty Years That Shook Physics, Dover, 1966, pp. 177-178. Some further nontrivial biographic information about J.A. Wheeler can be found in J. Bernstein, Quantum Profiles, Princeton Univ. Press, 1991.
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Great Fun To Read
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Well, now that I have the book I can up it to 5 stars. I also found that my memory was a little faulty, but what can you expect after 45 years. The boat greeting still makes a fun story.
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Good biography intermingled with cursory physics.
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As biographies go this is a good read. The physics, though superficial, is quite informative. I do wish Dr. Wheeler had delved deeper into the concept of quantum foam and quantum gravity. Wheeler's discourse on who, when, and "how" the 'super' was developed is very good. The fact that Ulam first came up with the radiation method of igniting the 'super' was news to me!! Good read. Well worth the price...
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A wonderful overview of physicist's life
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I had the great fortune to meet Dr. Wheeler this year, and was thus inspired to read his autobiography. I'm very glad I did so. It is well written as well as beautifully organized. For someone who can understand the most esoteric concepts of physics, it is a blessing that he can share then with us in a manner which may make them somewhat comprehendable even though most readers will not have had a physics backround. For the physicist this is a must read since Dr. Wheeler is one of the pioneers in relativity and quantum (modern) physics--not to mention he is one of the few remaining who were there with Einstein, Bohr and others. Further, for the beginning scientist, this book introduces one to the ideas in physics that will occupy the next century. He ends his book with some of the questions that physicists will face, such as why the quantum? For the non-scientists, Dr. Wheeler is a gentleman whose life is very intriguing. Some parts of the book may be a little invovled, but as one lady told me, "you can just skim those." The life of a man who lived through WWII is fascinating enough to enjoy reading. Also, his times with such famous physicsist's as Einstein, are a pleasure to read. Some of the more interesting features of his book include his discussions on gravity, on black holes (he coined the name), how nuclear reactors work, and of the famous scientists (including Einstein, Bohr, Feynmann, etc.). Enjoy!
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Remarkable achievement by a remarkable scientist
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I learned a lot from this important book, even though I am a chemical engineer. Especially insightful is the chapter "It from Bit", where the famous two-slit experiment is well explained and where its meaning and implications are brought home in a powerful (and to me new) way. The author(s) say(s) that history is very important, and Wheeler shows both an interest and a passion for history. As we become more mature, we all tend to agree on this. So the only annoying thing about this remarkable book is its treatment of Austrians. (I have no Austrian blood that I know of...) Saying that both Mach and Schroedinger are Germans (p. 92 and p. 323) is probably an offense to these scientists, but also a disregard for simple and well known facts; one then cannot help but wonder whether some of the more important and difficult facts are right in this book.
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