Moments in the Life of a Scientist

During recent decades, our vision of the world of physics - from the subatomic world to the cosmos - has undergone a profound evolution.

Bruno Rossi (Author)

9780521070157, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 July 2008

232 pages
23 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.36 kg

"In this delightful book Bruno Rossi talks in a warm and personal way about his many scientific discoveries, worldwide travels, and interactions with other scientists. The reader will be fascinated by the many exciting stories and anecdotes, which at times are humorous and sometimes read like a thriller." Walter H.G. Lewin, Foundations of Physics

During recent decades, our vision of the world of physics - from the subatomic world to the cosmos - has undergone a profound evolution. In this book, one of the scientists who contributed to this development narrates the story of his life and his work. Bruno Rossi gives a close insight into his experiences as a scientist, the motivation which gave direction to his research, and the significance of the results of his experimental work. Rossi was involved at the beginning of very significant stages in relatively recent physics, and recounts how it was at first hand in cosmic rays, high energy physics and space research. He conveys a sense of participation in the excitement of his research, and also an involvement in his life. He writes evocatively of the places where he worked in Italy and America, and gives an insight into the life of a Jewish family living in fascist Italy.

List of plates
Foreword
Preface
Prehistory
1. Arcetri (1928–32)
2. Padua, Copenhagen, Manchester
3. Physics of elementary particles in the Age of Innocence (1939–46)
4. Los Alamos (1943–46)
5. Cosmic rays at MIT (1946– )
6. Physics in space
Postscript
As for me … Nora Rossi
Index.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]