Amazon.com: From X-rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries (Dover Classics of Science & Mathematics): Emilio Segre: Books

Product Description

A Nobel Laureate offers impressions and recollections of the development of modern physics. Rather than a chronological approach, Segrè emphasizes interesting, complex personalities who often appear only in footnotes. Readers will find that this book adds considerably to their understanding of science and includes compelling topics of current interest. 1980 edition.

Language Notes
Text: English, Italian (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications (June 5, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486457834
ISBN-13: 978-0486457833
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,318 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for all history of science enthusiasts, May 26, 2002

By	Canay (Hillsboro, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From X-Rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries (Paperback)

This is a great book on the history of quantum mechanics. I highly reccomend it. Unfortunately the book is out of print and one needs to hunt down a used book.

It begins with the discovery of X-rays in 1895 and ends with events around the early 70's. It is interesting how the technological advances of today have come about after a sudden chain of discoverires starting with just 2 discoveries that acted as sparks: xrays and radioactivity (both of which thanks to some photpgraphic film that developed without the intention of the scientist). The chronological developments are nicely intertwined.

I enjoyed how the author has written of the rigorous development of quantrum mechanics from 3 different viewpoints of schrodinger, heisenberg and dirac and how they later proved that all 3 were the same. There are great photographs of the scientists of the time also. Overall very well written with lots of stories about the featured scientists. Can finish the book in one day, it was that incaptivating (to serve as a reference, am a chemistry student).

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Modern Physics Narative, September 30, 2007

By	Kennen Haas "Kennen" (Tampa FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What this book is not:
A text book
Written to explain some controversial theory
Promoting a world view or pseudo religious belief
An artful work of literature
Written for a general audience

What this book is:
A chronological narrative of the development of modern physics
A series of stories about scientist and the nature of their experiments
A tome that covers the most important physics discoveries for the era it covers

Why read this book?
I would recommend this book to anyone who studies the hard sciences
This book would nicely augment a modern physics course
Because knowing the history of science promotes real understanding

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Letter Perfect, January 2, 2004

By	Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: From X-Rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries (Paperback)

Segre` has written two excellect histories for the educated non-scientist. These are not "light" reads, but they are informative and entertaining. This is the second part of the pair (the first, "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves") and is just exciting as the first. One could almost call this work, "The Story Continues". It tells of scientists working for years on end in attempts to understand the universe and its workings. Of course, we meet those geniuses that discovered a new aspect of reality or a long-sought explanation.

What is remarkable is how these great men and women used the work of each other to further their own endeavors. The practice of documenting new find and publishing scientific journals began during this era. Exquisite writine with diagrams, photographs and illustrations.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars "From X-Rays to Quarks," by Emilio Segre
In my opinion, "From X-Rays to Quarks," by Emilio Segre is one of the greatest books that I have ever read. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Raymond J. Jerome

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
In addition to reading this excellent book I recommend reading "Thirty Years That Shook Physic" by George Gamow too.

Published 6 months ago by CRZadeh

5.0 out of 5 stars Wondeful book!
This is a wonderful book. I'm glad it's back in print again. Highly recommended, together with "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves".

Published on June 12, 2007 by Paulo Cesar G. Braga

5.0 out of 5 stars Segre brings the history of quantum phusics to life.
Segre's style on physics is straight forward and non-intimidating. But what make this book is his stories. Emilio met and worked with many of these men. Read more

Published on November 9, 1997 by duanev@io.com

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