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.
Riding the Waves
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
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
"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
"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
About the Author
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.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Rob HNL
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Nancy Sonnabend, Boston, MA Author, Inventor
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing to write home about
Leo Beranek is an estimable man, really a Renaissance man, as a previous reviewer wrote. And his autobiography is well-written and illustrated with a good collection of... Read more
Published on March 27, 2009 by Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent memoir by a most impressive man
Leo Beranek is one of the most accomplished people I have ever known. His memoir is easy to read and very interesting.
Published on December 16, 2008 by David Walden
