The Hunting of the Quark: A True Story of Modern Physics

by Michael Riordan

Book Overview

One of this century's most revolutionary discoveries, this is the story of the 20-year search for the quark--the particle inside the proton and neutron components of the atom's nucleus which constitutes the fundamental basis for all life and matter.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671648845
• ISBN13: 9780671648848
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 399 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Entertaining

I rated this book 4-stars because I thought it was very entertaining. I was a graduate student in physics in 1974 when the J/psi particle was discovered. This book gave me more insight into the events that lead to its discovery -- a history that I really enjoyed.For those who are looking for detailed physics, they won't find it here. Dr. Riordan describes various experiments at different facilities but does not provide enough background for those not familiar with particle physics.Overall, I really enjoyed the book as one person's account of the events leading us to where we are today in the standard model. This book is well written and easy to read.