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arbieroo's review
2.0
This is a readable history of "modern" physics, mainly focused on the science and politics of nuclear weapons but covering atomic physics from Rutherford up to 1980 - no superstrings here. I think it's too superficial to really explain much of the physics to complete novices but covers the history and personalities well enough, given the time of writing. But...
In an introduction it is mentioned that Snow wrote this "from memory," which turns out to be a problem for me. There is no form of reference to sources or even a bibliography, so it's impossible to know where Snow's memories originate; personal experience, historical research, hear-say? Dunno. That's no good for me. I particularly wanted to know the basis for his statements about Heisenberg. I didn't catch Snow in any mistakes but I've no way to easily check.
In an introduction it is mentioned that Snow wrote this "from memory," which turns out to be a problem for me. There is no form of reference to sources or even a bibliography, so it's impossible to know where Snow's memories originate; personal experience, historical research, hear-say? Dunno. That's no good for me. I particularly wanted to know the basis for his statements about Heisenberg. I didn't catch Snow in any mistakes but I've no way to easily check.
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