Nobel Dreams: Power, Deceit, and the Ultimate Experiment

by Gary Taubes

Book Overview

A modern-day adventure story demonstrating the chaotic and chancy nature of science that will change perceptions of scientific research. Several colorful personalities are introduced--the Italian... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394545036
• ISBN13: 9780394545035
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Academic Reality

Contains a good combination of hard science and the politics of actually getting stuff done. I appreciated the details of experimental particle physics, but the best part of the book is the insider perspective on getting grant money, timing the delivery of experimental results and positioning oneself for recognition from the Nobel committee. The interplay between the theorists and experimentalists was also illuminating. The only negative factor's were the needless comments on what people were wearing at a meeting or how handsome/pretty they were that day and I believe (not positive since the only account I have is the book) a few remarks that were quite obviously taken out of context and the author failed to acknowledge this.

A great read

This book hooked me so completely that when I came across it in the library I read it from cover to cover standing (then sitting) in the aisle. Anyone with an interest in high-energy physics or academic politics with enjoy it immensely.