Bernard Pullman was Professor of Quantum Chemistry at the Sorbonne and Director of the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique. He died in 1996. Axel Reisinger is a Senior Principal Physicist at Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company. He lives in Amherst, New Hampshire.
"Under the guise of tracing the ever-changing fate of atomism from antiquity to our time, Professor Pullman reveals the fascinating story how a key concept of modern science gradually emerged out of an intense interplay between physical science, philosophy, theology, and personal presuppositions. An engrossing and civilizing work."--Gerald Holton, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics & Professor of History of Science, Harvard University"Bernard Pullman has given us a precious parting gift: a finely wrought and readable account of the greatest of human discoveries--the coaxing out, through deep thought and ingenious experiment, of the nature of atoms."--Roald Hoffman, Professor of Chemistry, Cornell University"The story of the atomic theory of matter lends itself better than almost any other historical journey to a grand panoramic approach to the history of scientific ideas Pullmanfollows the ideas of the atom through the long period of 2500 years since the notion of an indivisible fundamental constituent of matter was first formulated by pre-Socratic Greek thinkers He is at his best when dealing with recent developments in the physics and chemistry of atoms and nuclei, where he leaves no loose threads unexaminedThere is thus, implicit in this work, an urge to connect with the past, to construct a narrative of progress, and to week out mistakes and missteps. Yet, it is an eminently readable and enjoyable book, which affords perspicacious insights into one of the most persisting scientific problems." -- science
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
