The Discoveries - by Alan Lightman (Paperback)

About the Book

An extraordinarily accessible, illuminating chronicle of the great moments of scientific discovery in the 20th century, and an exploration into the minds of the remarkable men and women behind them.

Book Synopsis

In this captivating and lucid book, the bestselling author of Einstein's Dreams chronicles twenty-four great discoveries of twentieth-century science--everything from the theory of relativity to mapping the structure of DNA.

These discoveries radically changed our notions of the world and our place in it. Here are Einstein, Fleming, Bohr, McClintock, Paul ing, Watson and Crick, Heisenberg and many others. With remarkable insight, Lightman charts the intellectual and emotional landscape of the time, portrays the human drama of discovery, and explains the significance and impact of the work. Finally he includes a fascinating and unique guided tour through the original papers in which the discoveries were revealed. Here is science writing at its best-beautiful, lyrical and completely accessible. It brings the process of discovery to life before our very eyes.

Review Quotes

"Engaging. . . . Masterly. . . . Intimate. . . . [Lightman's] enjoyment of the material shines through." -The Washington Post

"Lightman's map of 20th century science beautifully conveys the human drama of discovery." -American Scientist

"An intriguing mix of the famous and unfamiliar." -The Boston Globe

"Lightman's introductions to the discoveries are, collectively, an outstanding primer on the development of science in the twentieth century."-The Nation

About the Author

ALAN LIGHTMAN is the author of seven novels, including the international best seller Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award. He has taught at Harvard and at MIT, where he was the first person to receive a dual faculty appointment in science and the humanities. He is the host of the public television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. He is a professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT.