Niels Bohr's Times: In Physics, Philosophy, and Polity [Paperback]

When Einstein's revolution opened a window to quantum physics, it was the Dane Niels Bohr (1885-1962) who went through it to decode the first atomic spectrum (and to win a Nobel Prize in 1922). Bohr's career as a physicist spanned the full development of quantum mechanics, which he approached with a kind of gemutlichkeit that we do not associate with theoretical genius. Pais, a former physics professor who first met his subject in 1946, is a diligent biographer who captures Bohr and his era with the intensity of a devoted protege. Bohr's broad career, touching many important developments and figures in his field (Heisenberg, Pauli, Rutherford among them), and overflowing into European post-WW II policy requires a biographer with deep resources such as Pais, who here preserves the social and scientific dimensions of a full epoch of physics in his depiction of Bohr's singular life. Illustrations.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Advance praise for Neils Bohr's Times 'To anyone who worked under Bohr and was influenced by him, the book is fascinating and to any physicist with the slightest interest in the history of his subject it is to be highly recommended. ... the picture of intense argument, and excitement, of great minds seeking the truth and of their strengths and weaknesses comes through vividly, as does the central question - does God play dice? Dr Pais has done a fine job.' Sir Nevill Mott, Nobel Laureate

'Pais gives us an intimate picture of Niels Bohr, the great human being. He also shows in a profound manner how Bohr's ideas on atomic physics and quantum mechanics evolved, often painfully, and guided most of the scientists working in the field.' Hans A Bethe, Nobel Laureate

'What struck me most was Pais' account of the intellectual battles that established the basis of modern physical science. We now take the truth of quantum mechanics as read, but it was a great and exciting struggle, and Bohr's finest hour.' Sir Sam Edwards FRS

'A. Pais' "Niels Bohr's Times" illuminates the probing, deep exertion within Bohr that was midwife to the birth of twentieth century physics. One watches audacious improvisation accompanied by internal doubt of sufficiency and substantiality ... It is a pleasure to catch glimpses of the author's humour abd his personal as well as intellectual impressions; Abraham Pais is very much a part of "Niels Bohr's Times".' Mitchell Feigenbaum

`Niels Bohr could not have asked for a better biographer than Abraham Pais.' The New York Times Book Review

`A close-up portrait of a truly extraordinary, and extraordinarily appealing, personality..... Pais is himself a physicist of great distinction. He writes with authority and, in addition, with unfailing grace and considerable charm.' Science

`Abraham Pais is a physicist who has made fundamental contributions to the quantum picture of reality. But during the last 14 years he has shown himself to be a historian of science who combines deep scientific insight with meticulous scholarship. He is perhaps the unique example in modern times of a world-class physicist turned historian.' London Review of Books

`For many people, a review of this book will not be needed. Anyone familiar with Abraham Pais's pervious historical/biographical studies of Einstein (Subtle is the Lord) or particle physics (Inward Bound) will already be certain that this book about Bohr is one which must go to the top of the priority list.' The Observatory

'The book is a delight to read, and Pais gives the layman a glimpse into the make-up of a great man, and also a glimpse into the make-up of the world.' Paul Roberton, Regina Leader Post, 10 October 1992

'Through a detailed and eminently readable account of Bohr's life and work, his importance to the development of twentieth century physics is established without a doubt ... this very rich book, to which it is impossible to do full justice within the confines of this review. My best advice would be to read it yourself!' A J Kox, European Journal of Physics 1992