It's high time I had angered you: Essays on science, scientists, and humanity

Author: (British) Perutz Zhang Chunmei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This book is a collection of scientific essays by Perutz, the winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Through essays and book reviews, Perutz not only provides an engaging reflection on his long and unique career but also, through his perspective, describes some of the scientific giants of the 20th century. These include the Nobel Prize-ignored female nuclear physicist Meitner, Lise Meitner who registered and patented the atomic bomb, the designer of the atomic bomb who later became an opponent, Saharov, the war hero who won the Nobel Prize, and Pasteur, whose reputation in the hearts of the French surpasses that of Napoleon. Perutz not only guides you through meeting many famous scientists in this book but also takes you on a wonderful journey in the world of science, helping us better understand the significant scientific events that have impacted our lives. Topics include why Germany did not develop the atomic bomb, the discovery process of the tuberculosis vaccine, the struggle of humans against malaria, terrible genetic defect diseases, the discovery process of oral contraceptives and abortion drugs and the social repercussions they caused, as well as reflections and investigations on the environmental effects of nuclear energy.