István Hargittai

The Nobel Prize is by far the highest recognition a scientist may receive and the only one with which the general public is familiar. Its prestige has reached improbable heights. At the same time a lot of myth surrounds the Nobel Prize, and this is compounded by the fact that people tend to view scientists with some bewilderment. This book introduces the process of selection of the laureates, discusses the ingredients for scientific discovery and for getting recognition. It reviews the decisive moments of scientific careers en route to the Nobel Prize, points to characteristic features of the laureates, the importance of mentors and venues in scientific careers and other components of success. It also covers some discoverers and discoveries for whom and for which the Nobel Prize never materialized. Whereas there is no general recipe for receiving the Nobel Prize, there are common features of successful scientific careers. The book reveals some information about the scientists' lives and careers that may guide other scientists in increasing their chances of becoming more effective and better recognized players - although it is not expected to help anyone to receive the Nobel Prize! For the general reader The Road to Stockholm reveals the human face of scientists and the human side of their endeavours. The Nobel Prize has served as inspiration for scientists and the general public for a hundred years: this book discusses its problems and celebrates its triumphs.

Nobel Prizes, Science, and Scientists

The Road to Stockholm

Balazs Hargittai

Includes specially selected articles that previously appeared in The Chemical Intelligencer magazine published (1995-2000). Excerpts of these Editor's choice chapters chronicle the culture and history of chemistry, featuring great chemists and discoverers. Contributors from among the best-known authors of the chemistry community, including numerous Nobel laureates. Features behind the scenes stories about pivotal discoveries, intricacies of laboratory life and interactions among scientists, favorite recipes of renowned researchers, life histories and anecdotes. Chapters detail the human side of science but also present scientific information communicated in an easy-to-perceive and entertaining way. This unique book is not only aimed at chemists but individuals who are interested in the cultural aspects of our science.

The Best Articles on the Human Side of 20th-Century Chemistry from the Archives of the Chemical Intelligencer

Culture of Chemistry

T. C. Laurent

Proceedings from a Symposium Held at the Wenner-Gren Centre, Stockholm, in September 2000

Symmetry 2000

Magdolna Hargittai

Candid Science IV: Conversations with Famous Physicists contains 36 interviews with well-known physicists, including 20 Nobel laureates, Templeton Prize winners, Wolf Prize winners, and other luminaries. Physics has been one of the determining fields of science in the past 100 years, playing a conspicuous role not only in science but also in world politics and economics. These in-depth conversations provide a glimpse into the greatest achievements of physics during the past few decades, featuring stories of the discoveries, and showing the human drama behind them. The greatest physicists are brought into close human proximity as if readers were having a conversation with them. The interviewees span a wide range of scientists, from such early giants as Eugene Wigner and Mark Oliphant to members of the youngest generation such as the 2001 Nobel laureate Wolfgang Ketterle. The list includes famous personalities of our time, such as Steven Weinberg, Leon Lederman, Norman Ramsey, Edward Teller, John Wheeler, Mildred Dresselhaus, Maurice Goldhaber, Benoit Mandelbrot, John Polkinghorne, and Freeman Dyson. Contents: Eugene P WignerSteven WeinbergYuval Ne'emanJerome I FriedmanMartinus J G VeltmanGerard 't HooftLeon M LedermanValentine L TelegdiVal L FitchMaurice GoldhaberJohn N BahcallRudolf MößbauerArno A PenziasRobert W WilsonOwen ChamberlainMarcus L E OliphantNorman F RamseyDavid E PritchardWolfgang KetterleLaszlo TiszaEdward TellerJohn A WheelerFreeman J DysonJohn C PolkinghorneBenoit B MandelbrotKenneth G WilsonMildred S DresselhausCatherine BréchignacPhilip W AndersonZhores I AlferovDaniel C TsuiAntony HewishJocelyn Bell BurnellJoseph H TaylorRussell A HulseDavid Shoenberg Readership: General readers and physicists. Keywords:Physics;Nobel Prize;History of Physics;Famous PhysicistsReviews:“I recommend this handy volume, admirably suited for complete reading or browsing, not only to historians of physics and of science but also to practicing scientists, especially beginning ones, as well as to students, who will surely benefit from these inspiring stories by some of physics' leading luminaries.”The Chemical Educator “I heartily recommend this attractive volume, suitable for either complete reading or browsing, to historians of physics and of science, to practicing scientists, and to students, who will surely benefit from these inspiring stories by some of the leading luminaries of physics.”Angewandte Chemie

Conversations with Famous Physicists

Candid Science IV

This guidebook introduces the reader to the visible memorabilia of science and scientists in Budapest - statues, busts, plaques, buildings, and other artefacts. According to the Hungarian-American Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, this metropolis at the crossroads of Europe has a special atmosphere of respect for science. It has been the venue of numerous scientific achievements and the cradle, literally, of many individuals who in Hungary, and even more beyond its borders, became world-renowned contributors to science and culture. Six of the eight chapters of the book cover the Hungarian Nobel laureates, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the university, the medical school, agricultural sciences, and technology and engineering. One chapter is about selected secondary schools from which seven Nobel laureates (Szent-Gyorgyi, de Hevesy, Wigner, Gabor, Harsanyi, Olah, and Kertesz) and the five "Martians of Science" (von Karman, Szilard, Wigner, von Neumann, and Teller) had graduated. The concluding chapter is devoted to scientist martyrs of the Holocaust. A special feature in surveying Hungarian science is the contributions of scientists that left their homeland before their careers blossomed and made their seminal discoveries elsewhere, especially in Great Britain and the United States. The book covers the memorabilia referring to both emigre scientists and those that remained in Hungary. The discussion is informative and entertaining. The coverage is based on the visible memorabilia, which are not necessarily proportional with achievements. Therefore, there is a caveat that one could not compile a history of science relying solely on the presence of the memorabilia.

A Guidebook

Budapest Scientific

Fivefold symmetry is common in flowers, fruits, molecules, logos, and buildings, but it is a forbidden symmetry in the world of crystals. A few years ago, the so-called quasicrystals were discovered displaying fivefold symmetry, and it caused a minirevolution in crystallography. There has been increased awareness of fivefold symmetry in all domains of human interest ever since. The present book brings together authors and ideas on a common theme from mathematics, the sciences, design, and anthropology to history, literature, and the arts. Its 29 chapters are an offering by scientists and humanists from 13 countries to a broad readership of professionals and laypersons about fivefold symmetry and the areas that are being bridged by this unique concept. Contents: Fivefold Symmetry in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Beyond (J Brandmüller)800 Year Old Pentagonal Tiling from Maragh(, Iran, and the New Varieties of Aperiodic Tiling it Inspired (E Makovicky)Fivefold Symmetry in Hyperbolic Crystallography (D Dunham)Pentagonal Chaos (C A Pickover)The Discovery of Space Frames with Fivefold Symmetry (S Baer)The Icosahedral Design of the Great Pyramid (H F Verheyen)A Mystic History of Fivefold Symmetry in Japan (K Miyazaki)Albrecht Dürer and the Regular Pentagon (D W Crowe)Fivefold Symmetry in the Graphic Art of M C Escher (R A Dunlap)Hawaiian Flowers with Fivefold Symmetry (M Hargittai)The Relationship between Mathematics and Mysticism of the Golden Mean Through History (J Kappraff)An Islamic Pentagonal Seal (W K Chorbachi & A L Loeb)and other papers Readership: Scientists, humanists, artists and laypersons. keywords:

Fivefold Symmetry

International Series in Modern Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Volume 10: Symmetry: Unifying Human Understanding provides a tremendous scope of “symmetry , covering subjects from fractals through court dances to crystallography and literature. This book discusses the limits of perfection, symmetry as an aesthetic factor, extension of the Neumann-Minnigerode-Curie principle, and symmetry of point imperfections in solids. The symmetry rules for chemical reactions, matching and symmetry of graphs, mosaic patterns of H. J. Woods, and bilateral symmetry in insects are also elaborated. This text likewise covers the crystallographic patterns, Milton's mathematical symbol of theodicy, symmetries of soap films, and gapon formalism. This volume is a good source for researchers and specialists concerned with symmetry.

Unifying Human Understanding

Symmetry

The Nobel Prize is by far the highest recognition a scientist may receive and the only one that the general public is familiar with. Its prestige has reached improbable heights. At the same time a lot of myth surrounds the Nobel Prize. This book introduces the process of selection of the laureates, discusses the ingredients for scientific discovery and for getting recognition for it. The Nobel Prize has served as inspiration for scientists and the general public for a hundred years, this book helps to appreciate its triumphs as well as its problems.

In this invaluable book, 36 famous chemists, including 18 Nobel laureates, tell the reader about their lives in science, the beginnings of their careers, their aspirations, and their hardships and triumphs. The reader will learn about their seminal discoveries, and the conversations in the book bring out the humanity of these great scientists. Highlighted in the stories are the discovery of new elements and compounds, the VSEPR model, computational chemistry, organic synthesis, natural products, polysaccharides, supramolecular chemistry, peptide synthesis, combinatorial chemistry, X-ray crystallography, the reaction mechanism and kinetics, electron transfer in small and large systems, non-equilibrium systems, oscillating reactions, atmospheric chemistry, chirality, and the history of chemistry. Contents: Glenn T SeaborgWilliam N LipscombNeil BartlettRonald J GillespieLawrence S BartellPaul von Rague SchleyerAlbert EschenmoserGilbert StorkEndre A BalazsAlfred BaderJacquelin K BartonAd BaxDonald J CramJean-Marie LehnBruce MerrifieldArpad FurkaGuy OurissonMildred CohnPaul D BoyerJohn E WalkerHerbert A HauptmanJack D DunitzHartmut MichelJohann DeisenhoferRobert HuberManfred EigenJohn C PolanyiDudley R HerschbachHenry TaubeRudolph A MarcusIlya PrigogineAnatol M ZhabotinskyRichard N ZarePaul J CrutzenReiko KurodaStephen Mason Readership: Chemists and other scientists. Keywords:Chemistry;Nobel Prize;History of Chemistry;Famous ChemistsReviews:“This book makes interesting light reading, especially for chemists who have watched the field develop over the past 30 to 60 years … it makes a worthwhile contribution to the oral history of science, and I recommend it for both libraries and individuals.”Nature “István Hargittai's interviews with eminent scientists are a lively and important way of entering the minds of prominent chemists … this makes a wonderful bedside book that attractively opens up a gallery of people, and a window onto the development of science.”Chemistry & Industry “I have come back to these interviews time after time after my first read through. It's always inspiring to read about people who are good at what they do. To paraphrase Jack Dunitz, if you want value for your money in a predictable way, I think Hargittai's book is a good value. I strongly recommend it.”Southwest Retort “Hargittai has done a superb job in selecting both chemical topics and appropriate interview subjects who know the topics first-hand … Candid Science III is an interesting source of information on both current and recent chemistry and its practitioners, from a first-hand perspective of those practitioners. It also promises to be a valuable sourcebook for historians of the chemistry of this time.”The Alchemist, The ChemWeb Magazine “I recommend this useful volume, suitable for complete reading or browsing, not only to historians of chemistry and science but also to practicing chemists and students, who will benefit from these inspiring stories by some of chemistry's most eminent contributors.”Chemical Heritage “I recommend this handy volume, admirably suited for complete reading or browsing, not only to historians of chemistry and of science but also to practicing scientists, especially beginning ones, as well as to students, who will surely benefit from these inspiring stories by some of chemistry's leading luminaries.”The Chemical Educator

More Conversations with Famous Chemists

Candid Science III

Candid Science V: Conversations with Famous Scientists contains 36 interviews with well-known scientists, including 19 Nobel laureates, Wolf Prize winners, and other luminaries. These in-depth conversations provide a glimpse into some of the greatest achievements in science during the past few decades, featuring stories of the discoveries, and showing the human drama behind them. The greatest scientists are brought into close human proximity as if readers were having a conversation with them. This volume departs from the previous ones in that it contains interviews with mathematicians in addition to physicists, chemists, and biomedical scientists. Another peculiarity of this volume is that it includes nine interviews from another project, the collection of the late Clarence Larson, former Commissioner of the Atomic Energy Commission and his wife, Jane (”Larson Tapes”). Contents: H S M (Donald) CoxeterJohn H ConwayRoger PenroseAlan L MackayDan ShechtmanCharles H TownesArthur L SchawlowLeon N CooperAlexei AbrikosovLuis W AlvarezWilliam H PickeringWilliam A FowlerVera C RubinNeta A BahcallRudolf E PeierlsEmilio G SegrèHarold AgnewClarence E LarsonNelson J LeonardPrincess ChulabhornLinus PaulingMiklós BodánszkyMelvin CalvinDonald R HuffmanAlan G MacDiarmidAlan J HeegerJens Christian SkouPaul C LauterburGunther S StentJohn E SulstonRenato DulbeccoBaruch S BlumbergArvid CarlssonOleh HornykiewiczPaul GreengardEric R Kandel Readership: General readers and scientists. Keywords:Nobel Prize;Famous Scientists;Larson TapesReviews:“I recommend this volume, eminently suited for reading or browsing, not only to historians of science but also to practicing mathematicians, astronomers, physicists, chemists, physiologists, physicians, and other scientists, especially beginning ones, as well as to students, who will certainly enjoy these inspiring stories by some of science's leading luminaries.”Angewandte Chemie From the Reviews of Previous Volumes “… the conversations encapsulate a time that is past and leave the reader with a comforting glow. The main protagonists have told their tales, and the author has conducted his interviews with sympathy and collected his material with care …”Nature From the Forewords to the Candid Science Volumes “… the Hargittais are to be congratulated on yet another masterful Candid Science volume.”Candid Science V, Arvid Carlsson Nobel Laureate “… share … common hopes for a fruitful future for science and humanity …”Candid Science IV, Arno Penzias Nobel Laureate “… it will stimulate the reader to think in new directions.”Candid Science III, Herbert A. Hauptman Nobel Laureate “… these volumes are exceedingly worthwhile and can be enjoyed by all, young and old.”Candid Science II, Arthur Kornberg Nobel Laureate “… one is sharing in a conversation …” ”Candid Science, Lord Porter, Nobel Laureate Nobel Laureate

Conversations with Famous Scientists

Candid Science V

This invaluable book contains 36 interviews, including 26 with Nobel laureates. It presents a cross-section of biomedical science, a field that has been dominant in science for the past half century. The in-depth conversations cover important research areas and discoveries, as well as the roads to these discoveries, including aspects of the scientists' work that never saw publication. They also bring out the humanness of the famous scientists — the reader learns about their backgrounds, aspirations, failings, and triumphs. The book is illustrated with snapshots of the conversations and photos provided by the interviewees. It is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Candid Science: Conversations with Famous Chemists, by the same author. Contents: James D WatsonMaclyn McCartyJoshua LederbergArthur KornbergFrederick SangerFrançois JacobWalter Gilbert Benno Müller-HillMarshall W NirenbergDaniel NathansPaul Berg Kary B MullisGerald M EdelmanCésar MilsteinAlfred G GilmanGünter BlobelGeorge K RaddaMax F PerutzRichard HendersonAaron KlugJohn T FinchSidney AltmanEdward B LewisRita Levi-MontalciniLars ErnsterTorvard C LaurentGeorge KleinD Carleton GajdusekCharles WeissmannFrederick C RobbinsRosalyn YalowJames W BlackK Sune D BergströmJohn R VaneSalvador MoncadaRobert F Furchgott Readership: Biomedical scientists, biochemists, and general readers. Reviews:“The book is easy to read … Overall, they give an accurate flavor of biomedical research …”Choice “The present selection of interviews gives a cross section covering a broad range of topics, personalities, and circumstances of recording. I agree with Hargittai's evaluation and heartily recommend his book, suitable for both complete reading or browsing, to biomedical scientists, biochemists, chemists, historians of chemistry and or science, and general readers interested in the 'inside story' of the workings of 20th-century science.”The Chemical Educator “I heartily recommend this book, suitable for both complete reading or browsing, to biomedical scientists, biochemists, chemists, historians of chemistry and of science generally, and general readers interested in the 'inside story' of the workings of 20th-century science.”Chemical Heritage

Conversations with Famous Biomedical Scientists

Candid Science II

This book introduces the reader to the visible memorabilia of science and scientists in all the five boroughs of New York City - statues, busts, plaques, buildings, and other artifacts. In addition, it extends to some scientists and institutions currently operating in the city. New York has been known as a world center of commerce, finance, communications, transportation, and culture, but it also is a world center in science. The city is home to renowned universities and research laboratories, a museum of natural history and other museums related to science, a science academy, historical societies, botanical gardens and zoos, libraries, and a Hall of Science as well as a large number of world-renowned scientists. The book pays special attention to the role of this city in welcoming persecuted scientists and letting African-American and women scientists thrive. The book is presented in an informative and entertaining way, dotted with scientific gossip and anecdotes, and can be enjoyed even without the reader's actual presence in the city. Over eight hundred photographs illustrate the book. They may induce the reader to make their own discoveries in New York.

A Culture of Inquiry, Knowledge, and Learning

New York Scientific

If science has the equivalent of a Bloomsbury group, it is the five men born at the turn of the twentieth century in Budapest: Theodore von Karman, Leo Szilard, Eugene Wigner, John von Neumann, and Edward Teller. From Hungary to Germany to the United States, they remained friends and continued to work together and influence each other throughout their lives. As a result, their work was integral to some of the most important scientific and political developments of the twentieth century.Istvan Hargittai tells the story of this remarkable group: Wigner won a Nobel Prize in theoretical physics; Szilard was the first to see that a chain reaction based on neutrons was possible, initiated the Manhattan Project, but left physics to try to restrict nuclear arms; von Neumann could solve difficult problems in his head and developed the modern computer for more complex problems; von Karman became the first director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, providing the scientific basis for the U.S. Air Force; and Teller was the father of the hydrogen bomb, whose name is now synonymous with the controversial "Star Wars" initiative of the 1980s. Each was fiercely opinionated, politically active, and fought against all forms of totalitarianism. Hargittai, as a young Hungarian physical chemist, was able to get to know some of these great men in their later years, and the depth of information and human interest in The Martians of Science is the result of his personal relationships with the subjects, their families, and their contemporaries. "This is an important story that needs to be told, and Hargittai tells it well." - Nature "What a story! Hargittai, a Jewish-Hungarian like his heroes, tells the remarkable story of five immigrants, of vastly different politics, without whom American science (and the world) would not be the same." - Roald Hoffmann, Nobel laureate, Cornell University

István Hargittai

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