Isaac Newton

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Ray Monk

An exploration of the enigma of Robert Oppenheimer's life and personality and his contributions to the revolution in twentieth-century physics.

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Anthony Serafini

America's scientific giants of the 20th century have transformed the world in terms of scientific understanding, military preparedness, and the quality and comfort of our daily lives. In this exquisitely written book, Anthony Serafini - a respected historian and philosopher of science - regales the reader with vivid descriptions of the lives and contributions of the men and women who explored the depth of molecular structure, relativity, astronomy, quantum mechanics, nuclear research, and much, much more. These evocative and stunning portrayals of some of the greatest scientists who ever lived delve into the personalities and opinions of these pioneers. Furthermore, Serafini makes their significant discoveries accessible and meaningful to everyone. You will meet the indefatigable Lee De Forest, whose passion for wireless telegraphy resulted in the Audion Radio Tube, which broadcasted radio to thousands of America's living rooms. The roster of distinguished scientists continues with Ernest Lawrence, who began his academic career with the hope of becoming a physician. He later succumbed to the enticement of physics, becoming the first to discover how to unleash the unimaginable power within the nucleus. This discovery ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. In addition, Robert Millikan astounded the scientific community by measuring the charge of an electron and convincing even the most hardened skeptics of the validity of the atomic theory of matter. Legends in Their Own Time recounts the most exciting events that took place during the Manhattan Project. It also explores the ongoing search for a Unified Field Theory of the cosmos - a goal that eluded even Albert Einstein. Serafini traces the evolution of scientists in America from a group of lackluster journeymen to world-renowned professionals, rivaling the scientific titans of Europe. This perceptive author portrays how the combination of politics and war has ironically contributed to the advancement of science. Through the author's insight and skill, this remarkable book recounts the fascinating history of the scientific geniuses who have built the foundations of modern science and technology.

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Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

Biography of American physicist Robert J. Oppenheimer. Winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.

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Mark Bowden

This work is a dramatic account of the hunt for and defeat of Osama bin Laden draws on unprecedented access to primary sources to trace how key decisions were made, revealing events from the perspectives of an adept President Obama and an increasingly despondent bin Laden. After masterminding the attacks of September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden managed to vanish. Over the next ten years, as the author shows, America found that its war with al Qaeda, a scattered group of individuals who were almost impossible to track, demanded an innovative approach. Step by step, the author describes the development of a new tactical strategy to fight this war, the fusion of intel from various agencies and on the ground special ops. After thousands of special forces missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the right weapon to go after bin Laden had finally evolved. By Spring 2011, intelligence pointed to a compound in Abbottabad; it was estimated that there was a 50/50 chance that Osama was there. The author shows how three strategies were mooted: a drone strike, a precision bombing, or an assault by Navy SEALs. In the end, the President had to make the final decision. It was time for the finish.