Riding the Waves: A Life in Sound, Science, and Industry [Hardcover]

Leo Beranek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2008

The life and work of Renaissance man Leo Beranek: scientist, professor, engineer, busisess leader, inventor, entrepreneur, musician, television executive, philanthropist, and author.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beranek's account of his truly remarkable life is a superbly written and concise autobiography that tells a great story." Philip Nelson Times Higher Education Supplement

Leo Beranek, an Iowa farm boy who became a Renaissance man--scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, musician, television executive, philanthropist, and author--has lived life in constant motion. His seventy-year career, through the most tumultuous and transformative years of the last century, has always been propelled by the sheer exhilaration of trying something new. In Riding The Waves, Leo Beranek tells his story. Beranek's life changed direction on a summer day in 1935 when he stopped to help a motorist with a flat tire. The driver just happened to be a former Harvard professor of engineering, who guided the young Beranek toward a full scholarship at Harvard's graduate school of engineering. Beranek went on to be one of the world's leading experts on acoustics. He became Director of Harvard's Electro-Acoustic Laboratory, where he invented the Hush-A-Phone--a telephone accessory that began the chain of regulatory challenges and lawsuits that led ultimately to the breakup of the Bell Telephone monopoly in the 1980s. Beranek moved to MIT to be a professor and Technical Director of its Acoustics Laboratory, then left academia to found the acoustical consulting firm Bolt, Beranek and Newman. Known for his work in noise control and concert acoustics, Beranek devised the world's largest muffler to quiet jet noise and served as acoustical consultant for concert halls around the world (including the Tanglewood Music Shed, the storied summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra). As president of BBN, he assembled the software group that invented both the ARPANET, the forerunner of the Internet, and e-mail. In the 1970s, Beranek risked his life savings to secure the license to operate a television station; he turned Channel 5 in Boston into one of the country's best, then sold it to Metromedia in 1982 for the highest price ever paid up to that time for a broadcast station. "One central lesson I've learned is the value of risk-taking and of moving on when risks turn into busts or odds look better elsewhere," Beranek writes. Riding The Waves is a testament to the boldness, diligence, and intelligence behind Beranek's lifetime of extraordinary achievement. Leo Beranek is a pioneer in acoustical research, known for his work in noise control and the acoustics of concert halls, and the author of twelve books on these topics. The many awards he has received include the Presidential National Medal of Science, presented in 2003.

"A fascinating glimpse into a time unique in American industrial history.... It is the spirit of Leo Beranek that shines throughout this book -- a spirit of confidence, open-mindedness, and intellectual adventure." Roger Zimmerman IEEE Spectrum

About the Author

"It must be said that anyone who is interested in the history of America and its 'waves,' whether acoustical or broadcast, will find in this book a wealth of detail and anecdotes worth reading and will meet an author who is as unpresuming and honest as can possibly be expected." Stefaan Van Ryssen Leonardo

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; First Edition edition (January 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262026295
• ISBN-13: 978-0262026291
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,491,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Leo Beranek, June 25, 2010

By 

Nancy L. Sonnabend "Nancy Lelewer Sonnabend, ... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riding the Waves: A Life in Sound, Science, and Industry (Paperback)

Leo Beranek's book is fascinating and well written. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. From his humble mid west beginning Leo rose to leadership roles in academics, as an inventor, industrialist, acoustical designer, philanthropist and head of major institutions. When one reads "RIDING THE WAVES, A Life in Sound, Science and Industry" they are reading about a true renaissance man who has realized the American dream.

Nancy Sonnabend, Boston, MA Author, Inventor

3.0 out of 5 stars A great story spoiled, January 5, 2010

By 

Rob HNL "RLS" (Honolulu, Hi and Bellevue, Wa.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Riding the Waves: A Life in Sound, Science, and Industry (Hardcover)

Leo Beranek had a very interesting life and a fascinating story. It seems this work has been well-reviewed on the basis of his ground-breaking accomplishments. However his self-absorption is overwhelmingly evident. Regrettably, his all-about-me delivery is ultimately tedious, repetitive, and disappointing. My copy will be donated.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The life of an American scientist/engineer/businessman, August 14, 2009

By 

Robert William Wolff (Milton MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Riding the Waves: A Life in Sound, Science, and Industry (Hardcover)

This book describes much of Leo Beranek's life (he continutes to contribute in his mid 90s)from his own point of view. It is particularly suggested for young people on the brink of a life in science, engineering or business. Beranek has had a sufficiently rich life in any one of these domains to satisfy most people. But, his crafty mid-western take on all three domains makes his story very special. He and his various activities has contributed to the lives of a great number of people. Most of these people know not his name or even his disciplines.

Later, others will write histories of some of the events about which Leo Beranek has written. Their outlooks will be different. Doubtless some will find some of what he did not to their liking. However, one gets the idea that at each turn in his life Beranek did not only what would be best for society and for his family. This is the sort of story Americans could read more often.