Publisher's Synopsis
This book offers a panoramic view of science through the perspective of Istvan Hargittai, an internationally renowned Hungarian researcher and educator in physical chemistry. He has had worldwide collaboration in molecular science, symmetry studies, and science history bridging East and West during these experiences. He has talked with hundreds of luminaries of science and mathematics, in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacology, and materials science, among them one hundred Nobel laureates, but here, Hargittai himself was the interviewee in 23 conversations. They have appeared in the print media, radio, and television in diverse international forums. These conversations cut across political systems and geographical areas and reflect his scientific experience in European countries, the United States, and Russia spanning over 4 decades, and his life experiences over 8 decades. His scientific and writing output has included numerous books in structural chemistry, symmetry, the American and Soviet nuclear projects, James D Watson, Edward Teller, emigration, candid conversations with famous scientists, 4 great cities of science, the culture, art, and nature of scientific discovery, the traits of scientific discoverers, and the Nobel Prize. Some of the greatest scientists of our time wrote forewords to his books and commented on his writings and other achievements. Reviews of his books have appeared in Nature, Scientific American, Physics Today, Chemistry and Industry, Lancet, The Mathematical Intelligencer, and elsewhere. This volume dips into all these aspects of a scientific life and career and offers education through entertainment for a broadest possible readership interested in what science is and what and how it does.
