Customer Reviews

Linus Pauling: A Man and His Science

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This is an excellent compendium of Pauling's life; detailing his major scientific contributions (smaller than is commonly supposed). It also deals with Pauling's shenaningans in destroying the careers of other scientists who disagreed with him. It is excellently written and thoroughly researched, though likely it will irritate the scientific community by exposing many of the sordid practices so common in "objective" science.

In this work Serafini maintains his reputation for tough-minded journalism, pretty much making hash of Pauling's admittedly sometimes over-hyped reputation. The problem I find with it however is that it is a little too soft on Paulings science; after all the man did do some revolutionary work. Also, while generally well-written it is marred occasionally by some awkward phrasing and repetition. But overall it is an excellent work, comparable to Tom Hager's biography of Pauling.