The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom
Paul Adrian Maurice Dirac was one of the titans of twentieth-century physics. He predicted, purely from what he saw in his equations, the existence of antimatter. The youngest person ever to win the Nobel Prize for Physics, he was almost pathologically unable to communicate. He is said to have cried only once, when his friend Einstein died.
Based on previously undiscovered archives, The Strangest Man reveals the many facets of Dirac's brilliant, uneasy mind. Politically radical, Dirac vacationed in the Soviet Union at the height of the purges. He was legendary for his silences and his strange literal-mindedness; throughout his greatest period of productivity, his postcards home contained only remarks about the weather.
Celebrating Dirac's massive scientific achievement while drawing a compassionate portrait of his life, scientist Graham Farmelo offers thrilling sketches of Dirac's greatest theoretical leaps and discoveries. An arresting human story, The Strangest Man also depicts one of the most exciting eras in scientific history.
Paul Dirac was among the great scientific geniuses of the modern age. One of the discoverers of quantum mechanics, the most revolutionary theory of the past century, his contributions had a unique insight, eloquence, clarity, and mathematical power. His prediction of antimatter was one of the greatest triumphs in the history of physics. One of Einstein’s most admired colleagues, Dirac was in 1933 the youngest theoretician ever to win the Nobel Prize in physics.
Dirac’s personality is legendary. He was an extraordinarily reserved loner, relentlessly literal-minded and appeared to have no empathy with most people. Yet he was a family man and was intensely loyal to his friends. His tastes in the arts ranged from Beethoven to Cher, from Rembrandt to Mickey Mouse.
Based on previously undiscovered archives, The Strangest Manreveals the many facets of Dirac’s brilliantly original mind. A compelling human story, The Strangest Man also depicts a spectacularly exciting era in scientific history.
| Author | Graham Farmelo |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Basic Books |
| Place | New York |
| Year | 2009-08-24 |
| ISBN | 9780465018277 |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Condition | Very Good |
| Dustjacket Condition | Good |
| Comments | Edge-wear on dustjacket. |
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