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The Last Man Who Knew Everything
The Life and Times of Enrico Fermi, Father of the Nuclear Age
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See moreThe definitive biography of the brilliant, charismatic, and very human physicist and innovator Enrico Fermi
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Description
In 1942, a team at the University of Chicago achieved what no one had before: a nuclear chain reaction. At the forefront of this breakthrough stood Enrico Fermi. Straddling the ages of classical physics and quantum mechanics, equally at ease with theory and experiment, Fermi truly was the last man who knew everything—at least about physics.
But he was also a complex figure who was a part of both the Italian Fascist Party and the Manhattan Project, and a less-than-ideal father and husband who nevertheless remained one of history's greatest mentors.
Based on new archival material and exclusive interviews, The Last Man Who Knew Everything lays bare the enigmatic life of a colossus of twentieth century physics.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Last Man Who Knew Everything by David N. Schwartz is praised for making Enrico Fermi's complex scientific contributions accessible and engaging for readers. Reviewers highlight Schwartz's ability to balance scientific explanation with personal anecdotes, providing a comprehensive portrayal of Fermi's life and work. Despite Fermi's lower public profile compared to contemporaries like Einstein, the book captures the essence of his brilliance and human aspects in a well-researched and enjoyable narrative, appealing to both experts and general audiences.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780465072927
Publisher: Basic Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 28 December 2017
Country: United States
Imprint: Basic Books
Illustration: 15 Black-and-white images throughout
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 39.0mm
Width: 237.0mm
Height: 164.0mm
Weight: 720g
Pages: 448
About the Author
David N. Schwartz holds a PhD in political science from MIT and is the author of two previous books. He has worked at the State Department Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs. He lives in New York with his wife, Susan. His father, Melvin Schwartz, shared the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1988.
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