Enrico Fermi: And the Revolutions of Modern Physics (Oxford Portraits in Science) [Hardcover]

Dan Cooper (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019511762X | ISBN-13: 978-0195117622 | Publication Date: February 4, 1999

In 1938, at the age of 37, Enrico Fermi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. That same year he emigrated from Italy to the United States and, in the course of his experiments, discovered nuclear fission--a process which forms the basis of nuclear power and atomic bombs. Soon the brilliant physicist was involved in the top secret race to produce the deadliest weapon on Earth. He created the first self-sustaining chain reaction, devised new methods for purifying plutonium, and eventually participated in the first atomic test. This compelling biography traces Fermi's education in Italy, his meteoric career in the scientific world, his escape from fascism to America, and the ingenious experiments he devised and conducted at the University of Rome, Columbia University, and the Los Alamos laboratory. The book also presents a mini-course in quantum and nuclear physics in an accessible, fast-paced narrative that invokes all the dizzying passion of Fermis brilliant discoveries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A balanced discussion of the scientist's life and work... particularly informative. Full-page sidebars explain principles related to the physicist's research... Captioned black and white photographs of Fermi, his family, and his colleagues add interest. This book will be useful for reports... challenging reading... extensive list for further reading."--School Library Journal

"Personal anecdotes mix well with science to provide a well-rounded picture of Fermi and his friends and associates. Fermi comes across as a brilliant, warm, and approachable person. That was his strength and is the book's strength as well. The black-and-white illustrations are crisp, appropriate, and enhance the text. An excellent short bibliography and a useful index make the book more valuable for its intended audience."--Science Books & Films

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019511762X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195117622
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The spirit and mind that led to a Nobel Prize and much more, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Enrico Fermi: And the Revolutions of Modern Physics (Oxford Portraits in Science) (Hardcover)

I'm the author of this book. I sought to show how physics is done and how one of the greatest scientists of our time used his fine mind and friendly yet competitive ways to succeed. I believe I've made Fermi, the man, and the physics he did accessible to a wide range of readers. Don't be put off if you found physics hard in school -- this isn't like that, and it ain't brain surgery.

Fermi was famous for being one of those very rare physicists who are good at both theory and experiment. That helped as he and his team did the neutron experiments that led to his 1938 Nobel Prize. After a dramatic escape from fascist Italy, he and his family emigrated to America. There he went on to create the first nuclear chain reaction (on December 2, 1942) and to play a major role in the development of the atom bomb. After helping to win World War II, he helped set sensible science policy and did more great physics. His name is enshrined in the element Fermium, in the Fermi National Accelerator Lab, and in some of the most impotant concepts of physics.

This book is a good way to learn about a great man and about the way the physical world works. I hope you'll enjoy it; let me know what you think of it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fermi made accesible to all, December 14, 2005

By 

surfergirl20 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enrico Fermi: And the Revolutions of Modern Physics (Oxford Portraits in Science) (Hardcover)

This is the perfect biography for anyone wanting to learn more about a great man, one of the greatest physicists. Enough of his physics were mentioned or included to make it non-trivial to me (junior astrophysics major, with Fermi distribution functions currently flying out of my ears) and yet I would have no compunctions handing this book to my little cousins in elementary school if they needed to read/write a book report on the life and accomplishments of one of the greatest and most influential scientists of our era. In fact, I would say that is the preferred audience, all physics students have heard of Fermi, but most children (and indeed, most adults) are unaware of his contributions to the way we see the world around us, and to history. All of that is here, in this biography easily accesible to anyone.