From Booklist
Gr. 7-12. Science is a big part of the drama in these two titles in the new Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists series. Pauling was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize for chemistry for groundbreaking work that helped inaugurate the new field of molecular biology. He also won the 1962 Nobel Prize for Peace for his efforts to ban nuclear weapons. Fermi's 1938 Nobel Prize was for physics, for his discoveries about radioactivity and the structure of atomic nuclei, work that would, in time, result in the production of atomic energy and the atom bomb. Both books discuss the scientific breakthroughs in technical detail, but the Pauling biography will reach a wider audience not only because of the scientist's controversial political views but also because Pasachoff is as open about Pauling's scientific mistakes and failures as he is about his stellar achievements. In contrast, the Fermi book only hints at the man's politics and conflicts. Both titles include excellent chapter notes as well as a chronology, a glossary, a bibliography, and thought-provoking activities for student research. For other titles, see the Series Roundup in this issue. Hazel Rochman
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