Engaged oral history serves as the foundation for this unauthorized biography, delving into the challenging and often perilous task of uncovering lost human narratives that official histories overlook. It highlights the importance of personal stories and the impact of marginalized voices on our understanding of the world.
This 1993 volume studies the technical research that led to the first atomic bombs. The authors explore how the 'critical assembly' of scientists, engineers, and military personnel at Los Alamos, collaborated during World War II to create a new approach to research. Readers will find this book a crucial resource for understanding the underpinnings of contemporary science and technology.
Scientists challenging power and resisting the status quo
The book highlights the resilience of everyday individuals whose remarkable stories often go unnoticed in mainstream media. Through two years of travel covering 27,000 kilometers and over three hundred personal interviews, it captures a tapestry of experiences filled with courage and humor, showcasing the strength of the human spirit.
Starting in the 1950s, US physicists dominated the search for elementary particles; aided by the association of this research with national security, they held this position for decades. In an effort to maintain their hegemony and track down the elusive Higgs boson, they convinced President Reagan and Congress to support construction of the multibillion-dollar Superconducting Super Collider project in Texas—the largest basic-science project ever attempted. But after the Cold War ended and the estimated SSC cost surpassed ten billion dollars, Congress terminated the project in October 1993. Drawing on extensive archival research, contemporaneous press accounts, and over one hundred interviews with scientists, engineers, government officials, and others involved, Tunnel Visions tells the riveting story of the aborted SSC project. The authors examine the complex, interrelated causes for its demise, including problems of large-project management, continuing cost overruns, and lack of foreign contributions. In doing so, they ask whether Big Science has become too large and expensive, including whether academic scientists and their government overseers can effectively manage such an enormous undertaking.
This work tells the human story of the process of invention that led to the invention of the transistor.
In a world where superheroes reign, Rocketman stands out as the greatest, always supported by his devoted sidekick, Boost. Their dynamic partnership faces a turning point when Rocketman attempts to confront an asteroid alone and mysteriously disappears. With hope dwindling, Boost must rise to the occasion, drawing on her training and courage to become a hero in her own right. This story explores themes of bravery, mentorship, and the journey of self-discovery as Boost embraces her potential to save the day.
Follows the dangerous lives of peace activists in Israel and Palestine
