Thomas Levenson Livres

Follows eighteen years in the life of the eminent scientist, from his 1914 arrival in Berlin, through his scientific accomplishments and his role as a peacemaker following World War I, to his 1932 departure from Germany

"The captivating, all-but-forgotten story of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and the search for a planet that never existed For more than fifty years, the world{u2019}s top scientists searched for the ?missing? planet Vulcan, whose existence was mandated by Isaac Newton{u2019}s theories of gravity. Countless hours were spent on the hunt for the elusive orb, and some of the era{u2019}s most skilled astronomers even claimed to have found it. There was just one problem: It was never there. In The Hunt for Vulcan, Thomas Levenson follows the visionary scientists who inhabit the story of the phantom planet, starting with Isaac Newton, who in 1687 provided an explanation for all matter in motion throughout the universe, leading to Urbain-Jean-Joseph Le Verrier, who almost two centuries later built on Newton{u2019}s theories and discovered Neptune, becoming the most famous scientist in the world. Le Verrier attempted to surpass that triumph by predicting the existence of yet another planet in our solar system, Vulcan. It took Albert Einstein to discern that the mystery of the missing planet was a problem not of measurements or math but of Newton{u2019}s theory of gravity itself. Einstein{u2019}s general theory of relativity proved that Vulcan did not and could not exist, and that the search for it had merely been a quirk of operating under the wrong set of assumptions about the universe. Levenson tells the previously untold tale of how the ?discovery? of Vulcan in the nineteenth century set the stage for Einstein{u2019}s monumental breakthrough, the greatest individual intellectual achievement of the twentieth century."--Publisher's website

Exploring the world's first financial crisis, this narrative delves into a pivotal episode in the early history of financial markets. It offers fresh insights and a lively recounting that captivates readers while illuminating the complexities and implications of the crisis. Historians and enthusiasts alike will find this account both intriguing and enlightening, showcasing the enduring relevance of this historical event.

Already famous throughout Europe for his theories of planetary motion and gravity, Isaac Newton decided to take on the job of running the Royal Mint. This is a compelling book about crime, science and money, and transforms our image of Britain's greatest scientist.

Exploring the pivotal role of germs in disease, this book delves into the historical journey of scientific discovery, highlighting the interplay between human reasoning and the challenges posed by ego. It uncovers the complexities of understanding infectious agents and the impact of this knowledge on medicine and society, illustrating how the quest for truth can be both enlightening and fraught with obstacles.