Reviews (28)

Good introduction to cryptology and an interesting story
"In Code" provides a readable and thorough overview of cryptology in the context of Sarah Flannery's experience in this field of science.The book provides both good coverage of the mathematics underlying encryption technologies used today and a compelling and interesting story of a bright young individual making her way through an exciting field of science.
great story, great adventure
A very interesting account of a young person's algorithim for encoding information.The math is in the appendix for those who want ot understand the method she devised.

In many ways, Sarah is just another teenage girl.
As the father of three children about to iterate into their teen years, I often cringe when I see what they view as inspiration from the media. Sometimes, I really have to press them to read books and challenge their minds. One thing that we have done for years is have what we call questions after supper is done. I ask them questions about many different things, although we concentrate on geography, history and mathematics. The mathematics questions are generally in the form of a puzzle and we have covered basic proof techniques such as the pigeonhole principle. On several occasions, they have explained the solutions to mathematics problems by citing and explaining the pigeonhole principle.
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Subjects:  1. 1982-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Coding theory    7. Discrete Mathematics    8. Flannery, Sarah,    9. Ireland    10. Mathematicians    11. Scientists - General    12. Women    13. BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    15. Flannery, Sarah    16. MATHEMATICS / Discrete Mathematics   

Reviews (9)

The best history book ever...
This was truly fascinating getting the insights of Benjamin Franklin. What is a amazing, is the futuristic thinking of Mr. Franklin. His guess that humans would eventually defy gravity and live much older ages and eradicating disease (just amazing). The mention of innoculation of his grandson for small pox.And his thoughts on economics and trade relations were really something, as if he were a modern economist.After reading this book, I am truly in awe and it cannot compare to anything from a high school or college history book...Amazing!!

Brilliant
Brilliant choice of Franklin letters and papers -- organized by time and place -- to make a fascinating, and very readable story of Franklin's later years.

Takes us from the end of Part III of Franklin's Autobiography to the end of his life in his own words
Benjamin Franklin is one of those most rare historical figures who retain a sense of immediacy and relevance to every subsequent generation.As I read his writings, I am reminded on each page of his immense intellectual gifts, his endless curiosity, and his ability to observe things in the sharpest detail.Franklin's writings fill many volumes and a library could be filled with just books about this very important American.With all that, does this book make a significant enough contribution to warrant your purchasing and reading it?I answer with an emphatic YES!
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Subjects:  1. 1706-1790    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Franklin, Benjamin,    8. Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790    9. Historical - General    10. Historical - U.S.    11. Political    12. Politics and government    13. Scientists - General    14. Statesmen    15. To 1775    16. United States    17. United States - Revolutionary War    18. Biography: general    19. USA   

Reviews (12)

More books like this on Bucky, please
On the plus side, this book is written in clear English and gives a good overview of Bucky's inventions and ideas.It helps those of us who didn't live through it, understand what all the fuss about Buckminster Fuller is about.And Bucky's ideas are in fact quite relevant to the present time.
Excellent Introduction for a Non-Technical Reader
I've tried to dive into some of the books actually written by Buckminster Fuller without success.His ideas have always intrigued me, but I found his writing style to be rambling and confusing.This book, however, is an excellent introduction to Fuller's life and ideas, without the confusing detritus.I don't have a strong math or science background, so I appreciated the fact that the author was able to explain Fuller's ideas without resorting to complex equations or formulas.The biographical aspects of this book are also quite interesting.It is chronologically arranged so that the reader can track the evolution of Fuller's thoughts as he progressed through life.

Thank you-I finally understand Bucky
All I can say is thank you to Mr. Sieden for finally helping me to understand the great Buckminster Fuller.
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Subjects:  1. (Richard Buckminster),    2. 1895-    3. Engineering    4. Engineering - General    5. Fuller, R. Buckminster    6. History & Surveys - Modern    7. Individual Architect    8. Philosophy    9. Technology    10. Biography: general    11. Engineering: general    12. Urban Design & Architecture    13. Inventors    14. Biography & Autobiography    15. Science & Technology   

Reviews (34)

Pihkal, truely a love story with one's work.
I thought this book very infomative and educational.
Highly analytical, relevant and a record of reality......
I purchased PIHKAL from Amazon and read it in it's entirety.
Invaluable Resource
For the person looking for both hard information regarding the world of psychoactive substances (and The Drug War), and an enjoyable honest and heartfelt love story, this is for you.A real masterpiece! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Chemistry - General    3. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Scientists - General    6. Chemistry    7. Popular culture   

Reviews (11)

More Truthful than Science
I was first introduced to Freeman Dyson as a colleague and sometimes other half of Richard Feynman. I regret that during our brief meetings I never got to know him for being more than a physicist. Therefore, when I started reading this book I was expecting something akin to the biographical material on Feynman. Instead, I found not only a more richly multidimensional book, but a glimpse into the soul of a thinker for the ages and a new window into timeless issues that world news thrusts upon us every day. Dyson explores topics as diverse as his early work in physics, to his work in the nuclear disarmament programs of the Kennedy-Kruschev era, to the politics of the McCarthyist efforts against Oppenheimer, to his thoughts on what it means for a one-time Brit to become an American, to gedanken experiments about colonization of the universe. Beneath each of these topics lies a set of fundamental moral imperatives. This book is an inspiration for professionals to look beyond their profession, and beyond science, to grapple with the great human questions.
An interesting book, but not a masterpiece
some reviewers say this book is a masterpiece,and the greatest book written by Freeman.Dyson, I really can't agree with them. Evocative
While browsing the physics books in my local Borders, I picked up this book on a whim and read the first few pages.Those pages were so powerful I immediately bought it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Dyson, Freeman J    6. Physicists    7. Physics    8. Scientists - General    9. United States    10. Biography: general    11. Cosmology & the universe    12. Popular astronomy    13. Science: General Issues   

Editorial Review

Richard Feynman, brilliant physicist and inspirational teacher, wasn't much for coats and ties. He lived a life that the adjective "bohemian" doesn't begin to cover, scripting percussion scores for avant-garde ballet troupes, musing over life's imponderables, and delighting and annoying his many friends with odd-duck questions--all the while teaching generations of students at CalTech.Read more

Reviews (28)

More than a book...
It was all just accidental. I stumbled upon this book through a documentary that I rented, called Ganghis Blues. I like all types of music and thought "A documentary about Blues music, cool..." After realizing what a fortune of life I had found in this movie, I was drawn to everything TUVA. SO, to the book I go. The book of course came before the documentary, and obviously was an influence in the boys who produced it. When was the last time a book did something for your soul? This one touches your soul, your heart and your longing to achieve a goal or live out a dream. Aaaah. I loved it.

Off-beat , wonderful video!
If you are a fan of Richard Feynman, the nuclear physicist that dreamed of going to Tuva, you will just love this video. If you know nothing of Mr. Feynman, you will still enjoy it. It tells the story of Paul Pena's visit to Tuva in a delightful way. You will like seeing the culture of these peaceful, music-loving people.

Great story, though it loses its steam
I would never had read this book had I not recently had the chance to see Huun Huur Tu, a throat-singing voice from Tuva. But now that I am fascinated by this little-known, remote area along the Russian-Mongolian border, I found this book very entertaining. It chronicles the enormous challege of trying to visit such a remote land in the days before Glasnost and a fascinating cast of characters at its heart.
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Subjects:  1. Adventurers & Explorers    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Feynman, Richard Phillips    6. Physicists    7. Russia (Federation)    8. Scientists    9. Travel    10. Travelers    11. Tuva    12. Tuva (Russia)    13. United States    14. Journeys    15. Science: General Issues   

Editorial Review

Paul Erdös was an amazing and prolific mathematician whose life as a world-wandering numerical nomad was legendary. He published almost 1500 scholarly papers before his death in 1996, and he probably thought more about math problems than anyone in history. Like a traveling salesman offering his thoughts as wares, Erdös would show up on the doorstep of one mathematician or another and announce, "My brain is open." After working through a problem, he'd move on to the next place, the next solution.Read more

Reviews (89)

He loved numbers, mathematicians loved him.
Paul Erdös ("Air-dish") really did love numbers, and lived for mathematics. He was well known in maths circles, a legend, but known little outside. The book by Paul Hoffman introduces the work of this prolific numbers man to a new audience. It is at the same time a full of glimpses of the man, and tributes from those working mathematicians that he worked with. For there is no doubt that Erdös was an eccentric of the first magnitude, but Hoffman gives a picture of a well-loved man, who moved and inspired individual and groups of his colleagues worldwide.
Great Portrait of Mathematical Prodigy and Anomaly
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers was an absolutely enjoyable read. The information about Paul Edros's life was very telling and interesting. Besides being able to discover the negative numbers by himself, Erdos disproved the notion that mathematicians only do their best work as young men. Erdos was the prominent counterexample to this belief, almost working 20-hrs. a day on math. Though it seems he did nothing else, Erdos's love for mathematics is, simply put, unbelievable. It seems as though he always lived in a world of numbers and sought to find the truth behind them. The book portrays all of this very well while also providing intriguing anectodes about Erdos's life adventures.

An odd book that flows evenly
I've got this book to survive a long air travel. The reward couldn't be more surprising. First, the book introduces the weird mathematical world to neophytes in a very light and pleasant way. I was charmed to discover, say, the "human" side of all those peculiar creatures. They are everything but tedious. Believe me, this book is about people searching for elegance, perfection and beauty in a funny and sometimes tragic way. Second, it is also some sort of a math book - a captivating one. I mean, you're actually going to taste the brilliance of masterpieces like Euclid's proof of the infinitude of primes - even a stupid like me could put the pieces together. Third, Erdos seems to be one of a kind in this odd math world - try to figure out what I'm suggesting and you'll be convinced to read the book.
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Subjects:  1. 1913-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Erdîos, Paul,    7. General    8. Hungary    9. Mathematicians    10. Scientists - General    11. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology   

Reviews (16)

Must Read for any Business Person
This book is a number of short stories about successful business people, everyone from Robert Fulton (Steamboat Services), Isaac Singer (sewing machines), Charles Goodyear (rubber), Levi Strauss through to modern day people like Ted Turner, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Pierre Omidyar (eBay). The book is perfect for my personality type - it is a number of short stories so it didn't take long to read. There is a summary on page 465 of the book that gives 10 lessons that can be learned from history's innovators:
A good change from political and military history
This book is a refreshing change of pace for American history buffs whose reading typically tends toward political or military topics.After all, most of what Americans actually interact with everyday are the products of inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs, not politicians or generals.
My favorite innovation read of all time - the past does not lie
It is hard to tell anyone working in innovation that the products or services they are developing today will fail. The future is uncertain, but on balance we believe it will be good. The past, though, is a different story, and 'They Made America' tells the remarkable tale of INNOVATION in the land of opportunity.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. History    4. History Of Technology    5. History: American    6. Inventions    7. Scientists - Inventors    8. United States - General    9. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    10. American history: from c 1900 -    11. Biography: general    12. History / General    13. Inventions & inventors    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Air pilots    2. Airplanes    3. Automobile engineers    4. Automotive - Foreign - High Performance & Engine Rebuilding    5. Aviation - History    6. Biography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Historical - U.S.    9. History    10. Scientists - Inventors    11. Transportation    12. United States    13. Transportation / Automotive / High Performance & Engine Rebuilding   

Editorial Review

Dorothy Freeman, a fan of environmental writer Rachel Carson, was also her best friend. The correspondence between them charts the growth of their long affection; it also offers much detail about Carson's concerns as a writer and scientific reporter, to say nothing of her misgivings about being anointed as one of the environmental movement's chief intellectual leaders. The letters are full of talk about birds, books, and the changing seasons. Fans of Carson--and of the forgotten art of correspondence--are sure to enjoy Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book
I loved this book.It gives an inside look into the life of Rachel Carson.You get a sence of who she was and her passion for nature.I recomend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Biologists    5. Correspondence    6. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    7. Environmentalists    8. General    9. Letters    10. Scientists - General    11. Women biologists    12. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

Imagine a version of Read more

Reviews (24)

A good read and very informative
Well, when I first got this book about ten years ago, I heard there was controversy related to it. After reading other accounts about Apollo and NAA's involvement after reading this book, I am pretty certain this book is accurate in its portrayal and doesn't make any deliberate attempt to slant history. The author might be guilty of being a bit over enthusiastic about the point he's trying to make, but thats all. It certainly isn't a boring read.
Houston, we have a problem with this writer.
I am in complete agreement with the reader who made those rude comments back in December 1997: for anyone who likes good prose, 'Angle of Attack' is a shocker, obviously a pathetic attempt to imitate Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff', but without the wit. To put it simply, the writing is crap. I've read that Mike Gray is a Hollywood script writer-hack: what did he write, 'Pearl Harbour'? 'Independence Day'? 'Dude, Where's My Capsule?'?
I Was There
I don't intend to write a long analytical review like some already posted. I just want to say that I was there at NAA as a young engineer during the period covered by this book. I absolutely loved the book. I couldn't put it down and wanted it to never end. To those critics who ask "Is it really true?", I can only say that those parts that covered events that I witnessed personally are uncannily in sync with my recollections. What an adventure it was! I don't think we could do it again, in today's environment, even with twice as much budget and time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerospace engineers    2. Astrophysics & Space Science    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Design and construction    7. History    8. Science    9. Scientists - General    10. Space flight to the moon    11. Space shuttles    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    14. Biography: general    15. Space travel & exploration   

Subjects:  1. 1847-1922    2. Bell, Alexander Graham,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Historical - General    9. Inventors    10. Scientists - General    11. Scientists - Inventors    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (2)

Remembering Archimedes for more than his naked stroll
The thought of a man running naked through the streets shouting with joy over a physical and mathematical discovery is one to warm the hearts of all who value knowledge. When Archimedes experienced this flash of joy, little did he know that his actions would become the genesis of a legend that would last for thousands of years. However, he should be remembered for so much more than that and several of his significant mathematical contributions are explored in this book. Recommended for all mathematicians and scientists
The author's aim is to make what he views "as Archimedes' most mathematically significant discoveries accessible to the busy people of the mathematical community."In this he succeeds admirably.The book isnot only understandable by anyone who "recognizes the equation of aparabola," but is also very well written in a style that brings outthe beauty of the mathematical ideas discussed, as well as the power ofArchimesdes' creativity. As the author points out, the book treats mostof Archimedes' mathematical discoveries.The presentation cleverlyintegrates Archimedes' own writing with the author's modern explanation ofthe ancient discoveries.Frequently, before a main idea is introduced, aquotation fromArchimedes' own writing is presented in which the masterreveals his thinking about what he had accomplished in that particulartopic.Read more

Subjects:  1. Archimedes    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. History & Philosophy    7. Mathematics    8. Mathematics (General)    9. Mathematics, Greek    10. Science (General)    11. Scientists - General    12. Biography    13. History    14. History of mathematics    15. Mathematicians    16. Mathematicians And Their Works    17. Mathematics / General    18. Science & Technology   

Reviews (5)

A Little Dry, But Worth the Science
There isn't a great deal of personal, emotional information about Thomas Young, the title polymath here. But then his life was mostly in his work. And there is a lot to be learned following Thomas' investigations of a variety of scientific and scholarly subjects.
you might not like this book
If you're already intrigued by the concept of polymathy (a man who studies and works in many different subjects), were a triple major with two minors in college, or have a general interest in Thomas Young, you'll come away from this satisfied.Young's a fascinating guy, and given the task of understanding a man who worked in such varied areas, Robinson does a decent job writing his biography, or perhaps more properly, measuring and framing Young's contributions in the various subjects listed on the cover.The problem is that I don't think this book would cross over to a general audience that doesn't fit one of the above criteria.But then again, I could be wrong.

Excellent Snapshot of Thomas Young's Life and Work
Although, as specified by the author, this is not meant to be a full biography of Thomas Young, this book certainly does give the reader an excellent perspective of the man, his many activities and his times. Any meaningful sketch of Thomas Young would need to include, amongst many other topics, some discourse on his work in physics, particularly the wave properties of light. This book certainly includes such discussions. The author has the ability to present physical principles with the utmost clarity - something that is, most unfortunately, lacking in many a scientific paper. I was not aware that Thomas Young was involved in so many fields, including Egyptology. In particular, I have always been under the erroneous impression that the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone was solely the work of Champollion; this book sets the record straight on that matter. The book is well-written and should be accessible to everyone.It would make a valuable addition to any library, particularly one leaning towards topics pertaining to the history of science. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Great Britain    7. Historical - British    8. History    9. Linguists    10. Physicians    11. Scientists    12. Scientists - General    13. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    14. Science / General   

Reviews (2)

Great Reference Book
This book is invaluable as a reference for me in writing college history of science lectures, and in reading historical works, as so much of the information that I need is right at my fingertips. While not as comprehensive as the complete edition, the biographies are substantial enough, and the historical range vast enough, so that this work stands as an excellent source for putting the individuals in science into perspective.

The Greatest Scientists, as Fragile as the Rest of Us
Even the most diligent search of the world literature on biography will typically reveal little information about the personality and delicate human traits of some of the greatest thinkers in history.This book stands essentially alone as a complete but manageable compendium of the people who throughout time advanced mankind through creative thought, perseverance, and determination.Perhaps its greatest strength is in the brief but insightful histories of each scientist's life experiences as ordinary human beings who sought personal fulfillment and happiness first in relationships, love, and family.It is fascinating and exciting to discover how much in common the average person shares with the human frailties and emotions of Newton, Edison or Oppenheimer.The extensive illustrations and photographs further enhance the sense that these individuals who we imagine as larger than life were very much like the rest of us at heart.Each of the many hundreds of entries is well written, concise, and tightly focused.The authors' efforts at keeping the biographies limited in length are successful, but unfortunately this restricts the extent of information one might wish to have available for the most significant scientists, or those whose lives included particularly fascinating details. There are some surprising exlcusions of biography, such as Stephen Hawking and Jane Goodall, but the book includes so many other biographies that it would not be fair to quibble. In summary, this is a wonderful book to have in one's home reference library, particularly with children at home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Dictionaries    4. Reference    5. Scientists    6. Scientists - General    7. Language, Literature And Biography   

Reviews (9)

Inspirational 'Renaissance Man' speaks in vague terms
"Until one learns to lose one's self he cannot find himself...The personal ego must be suppressed and replaced with the 'universal ego.' One must not be the part, one must be the whole." This is a quote from Russell, explaining his first law of success: humility.
A man truly "In-Synch" with the world.
Walter Russell is one of my hero's. Champion ice skater, equestrian, sculptor...Russell excelled at everything he put his mind to. He said that "Mediocrity is self inflicted; Genius is self bestowed. The choice is yours." Buy this as an introduction to his laws of success and reap benefits for the rest of your life. Me thinks that this book should be required reading for all 7th or 8th graders in public schools.

This man was a Gift
A great little book about one of the greatest beings to walk this Earth. Thank you for your gifts of Truth Mr. Russell. Glenn Clark did this man well with his short bio. I recommend this book as a great intro about a wonderful humanitarian. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography / Philosophers    2. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    3. 1871-1963    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Philosophers    7. Russell, Walter,    8. Scientists   

Reviews (9)

Raises the Bar for biography
The book has a fascinating subject and is well written.It fully captures and holds your attention.The author is very deft in handling arguments or controversies Noyce was involved in, presenting facts without bias.The book is even-handed and intelligent.
Slanted and Incomplete
I've spent 30 plus years in this and related industries.As a partial introduction to IC's and their "market successful" agents, it is OK.As entertainment it is good, just don't forget you are being entertained!As a biography of Noyce it is only partial.That the rest of the story with Jack Kilby, Texas Instuments, and non-Noyce IC industry and players is missing makes it very bad history.That the patent fight history and the rules for patents, mainly that continuous work on ideas must be shown or it's "abandoned", are not covered makes it very much a dis-eduational offering. The big truth, stated deep in the book, that "Credit floats up.", almost makes the reading good, but not quite!

a vanished Silicon Valley
Berlin has performed an amazing amount of detailed research into Noyce's life. She takes us back to the years when the semiconductor industry was born, and shows us how Noyce helped make it flourish in Silicon Valley.
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Subjects:  1. 1927-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Business    7. Electronics engineers    8. History    9. Microprocessors    10. Noyce, Robert N.,    11. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County, Calif.)    12. Scientists - General    13. Scientists - Inventors    14. United States    15. United States - State & Local - West    16. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    17. Biography: general    18. Electronics engineering    19. History, Other | History of Technology    20. Information technology industries