Voyage Through Time: Walks of Life to the Nobel Prize [Paperback]

Ahmed H. Zewail (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9812383409 | ISBN-13: 978-9812383402 | Publication Date: July 2003

From a beginning in an Egyptian Delta town and the port of Alexandria to the scenic vistas of sunny southern California, Ahmed Zewail takes us on a voyage through time - his own life and the split-second world of the femtosecond. In this expose of his life and work until his receipt of the Nobel Prize in 1999, Zewail explores in non-technical language the landscape of molecules glimpsed on the scale of one quadrillionth of a second: the femtosecond, 0. 000 000 000 000 001 second. Zewail enriches the journey into the strange territory of femtochemistry with analogies and illustrations to aid the general reader and the scientifically inclined. He likewise draws lessons from his life story so far, and he meditates on the impact the revolution in science has had on our modern world - in both developed and developing countries. He suggests a concrete course of action for the world of the have-nots, and ends the volume with hope for Egypt in developing the nation's greatest natural resource - its youth - to build more promising future, and for America to develop a new vision domestically and internationally.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Through Voyage shines an ability to combine an excellent sense of fun with dedication to work … The author gives us a fascinating insight into the early experiences and thoughts of a boy growing up in Egypt and leading to the Nobel Prize in America.” Royal Society, London “Zewail's book includes more than just his life and science. It is his forum to address social and political issues — from the challenges developing countries face in the age of globalization, to what can be done for the have-nots, to the perceived conflicts between science and religion.” The Daily Star “Zewail is not just a brilliant scientist; he has also taken on the mantle of philosopher, historian and even political and economic adviser … What this regular genius offers in his personal tale is an inspiring glimpse of how an individual can achieve tremendous success through passionate dedication, talent and hard work.” Business Monthly “We are pleased to give two thumbs up to this fascinating and inspiring volume and recommend it to scientists, historians of science, and laypersons concerned with science and life of one of its most prolific and far-seeing luminaries.” Chemical Heritage / The Chemical Educator --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Publisher

Readership: General public; historians; scientists; educators; undergraduates and graduates; biographers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812383409
• ISBN-13: 978-9812383402
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,703,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book by the King of Femtoland., August 17, 2002

By 

Medhat Sadek (Lund, Sweden ( Visiting Researcher)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voyage Through Time: Walks of Life to the Nobel Prize (Hardcover)

To me, there is no happier moment than when I crack open a new book. After preparing a cup of tea, I'll settle down in anticipation of a pleasant journey. While doing the same with Zewail's book, I discovered that I read more than 70 pages without a second sip of my, then cold, tea. I have always thought of Zewail as an eminent scientist, but it wasn't until I read his book, that I discovered he is a talented writer as well. Zewail received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for founding and developing what is now known as "femtochemistry". The book is his autobiography. The author's description of his childhood and early years of study in Egypt is breathtaking. He also describes in a very interesting and humorous way, how he dealt with different cultural challenges facing him on his quest of a Ph.D. in the States. According to Zewail, the political barrier was relatively easy to overcome in comparison with cultural issues. He recalls an instance when a young man and woman started kissing each other passionately during a laboratory session in the university. As the person who was supposed to supervise the class, poor young Zewail could not believe his eyes and absolutely had no idea what to do. He soon ran out of the lab to consult his superior, who said: "Well, Ahmed, you know . . . they . . . they, you know, they do this here . . ".

The book, however, is not a mere biography. It explains the work that paved the way to Stockholm for the Nobel Prize. For a long time, scientists have been trying to understand what is happening during a chemical reaction: how molecules form; the way atoms respond to the movement of other atoms, and how they join, split or rotate or whatever. Unfortunately for us, all the events of a chemical reaction start and end within an extremely short time, only some femtoseconds (a "femtosecond" is a million billionth of a second). With his research group in Caltech, Zewail succeeded in using ultra-short laser flashes (short, relative to the time scale on which chemical reactions occur) to uncover what actually happens during this unbelievably short time. In order to understand how important this achievement is, imagine you are cooking a meal in a magical place. You add flour to raw meat and a pizza promptly forms, with everything happening so fast that you cannot witness the process, you see only the result, pizza. It is nice, albeit annoying that you cannot add salt or spices, or for that matter, modify the result in any way God rules the interim. Thanks to Zewail's achievements, not only do we understand more about chemical reactions, but we may also be able to manipulate non-compatible substances in the creation of never before dreamt of materials. It is a major contribution to science. The author also explains the scientific process, how the selection of scientists for prizes is decided upon, how scientific institutions celebrate the honoring of their own members, and how such awards can affect the lives of the honored and their families. The book richly reminds you of many events and views in the history of science. The author also makes known to the reader his own views regarding the future and how developing countries can contribute to science.

My only complaint would be the use of "adaption" for "adoption" on p. 178. The book was written well before 2002 but it appeared in 2002. As it is certainly going to be a classic, its talk of the 10-drachma coin of Greece (p. 100) will probably not be easily understood by future generations. Perhaps a footnote should have been added, explaining that there existed a form of currency before the Euro.

What were they able to see with the laser flashes?
Read "Voyage Through Time" to get the answer.

4.0 out of 5 stars Egypt to USA to a Nobel Prize, September 25, 2010

By 

Dick H. Fredericksen (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Voyage Through Time: Walks of Life to the Nobel Prize (Paperback)

With humor and pathos, Ahmed Zewail details his path from a small Egyptian city to American universities to Caltech to a Nobel prize. It's a timely portrait, among other things, of twentieth century life in Egypt -- a little different from the impressions one gets in the American press. For one thing, Zewail received a good, solid education in modern science. The Egyptian economy, though, couldn't provide the expensive equipment that was needed in order to work at the very frontiers of science in things like microscopy. (I once heard a Russian scientist complain about the same handicaps in Soviet science.) Zewail's brilliance in mathematics had caught the attention of an Egyptian professor who was employed at the University of Pennsylvania. He recommended Zewail for admission there, and Zewail came to America. His account of his culture shock in Philadelphia is hilarious, and it gets better in Berkeley. He wound up at Caltech, and pursued his interest in ultra-high microscopy all the way to a Nobel Prize. The book is rich with photos -- almost a personal scrapbook. His account of the Nobel Prize ceremony would perhaps put me off from winning a Nobel Prize, if I were in any danger of it. Imagine walking backwards to your seat in order to avoid turning your back to the king! But Zewail loved every minute of it (even though he noticed his sun sleeping through his presentation), and his pride is well-earned. The book is also a paean to good-natured multiculturalism, from a steadfastly Egyptian viewpoint.

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book for youth, January 31, 2010

By 

Ehab Shalaby - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Voyage Through Time: Walks of Life to the Nobel Prize (Hardcover)

This is an excellent, well written and very educating book. Not only you will know many things about Dr. Zewail biography, but it teachs many things about the life in the USA specially in the professional and academic enviroment, how to succeed and to excell.
I recommend this book to all students and any one going to travel to the western world to get an academic degree.