Reviews

During the 1960s and 70s the ``Standard Model'' theory of elementary particles was developed and was supported by experimental findings; the theory involves quarks, entities at the sub-nuclear level which carry fractional electrical charges and which cannot be isolated from the complex of particles in which they exist. Riordan, an experimentalist involved in the quark ``hunt,'' tells the story colorfully, with many brief sketches of the personalities involved. An excellent book to show layreaders the drama and the disappointments of life on a research frontier; highly recommended for college and public libraries. Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib.