The President's Scientists: Reminiscences of a White House Science Advisor (The Silliman Memorial Lectures Series) [Hardcover]

D. Allan Bromley (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Silliman Memorial Lectures Series | Publication Date: August 31, 1994

D. Allan Bromley, one of the world's leading nuclear physicists, was The Assistant to President George Bush for Science and Technology from August 1989 to January 1993. He was the first Science Advisor to have this Cabinet-level rank. In this engrossing memoir of his years at the White House, Bromley brings the unique perspective of a scientist to the political realities of policy making with the President and his other Senior Assistants. Bromley recalls his efforts to rebuild the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, organizations that develop science policy and that oversee the federal agencies responsible for the science and technology enterprise of the United States; as well as the Bush Administration initiatives to improve the global environment, the health and quality of life of all Americans, national security, international science and technology, and funding of U.S. science and technology. He describes the landmark reports prepared under his supervision, including those that called for a revamping of the science and mathematics curricula in U.S. precollege education, a rethinking of relations between the research-intensive universities and the federal government, and that presented the first formal statement of U.S. technology policy. He discusses the people with whom he interacted - George Bush, John Sununu (Bromley's strongest ally in the White House), Richard Darman, Al Gore, and many others. He includes provocative anecdotes about his attempts - many of them successful - to foster cooperative scientific ventures with other countries. Bromley's memoir is both a broad overview of the role ofscience and technology in the Bush Administration and an insider's account of the ambiance, personalities, and politics that mold policy decisions in Washington. It is fascinating and thought-provoking reading.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this memoir of his experiences as science adviser to President Bush, prominent physicist Bromley defends such unpopular opinions as not considering the greenhouse effect a major problem and argues that the Bush administration would have done even better with a second term. Most of his book, however, centers around important issues and decision-making in the White House. Of particular interest is how the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Federal Coordinating Council for Science Engineering and Technology (FCCSET) were able to bring together a wide range of agencies to work toward a coordinated national science policy. Highlights of this policy included coordinated efforts at increasing precollege scientific education and stimulating research and development. Bromley's book is important as much for its glimpses at how Washington operates as for its insights into science policy. Unfortunately, it focuses on what Bromley feels he accomplished and does not go into more detail into the work of the OSTP and FCCSET. Recommended for larger collections.
Eric D. Albright, Galter Health Sciences Lib., Northwestern Univ., Chicago
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (August 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300060068
• ISBN-13: 978-0300060065
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,921,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good guy, January 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The President's Scientists: Reminiscences of a White House Science Advisor (The Silliman Memorial Lectures Series) (Hardcover)

Hey - If you like reading about people who think they're famous talking about themselvs - this is a good book for you. He's a good guy tho.