Paul Dirac: The Quiet Genius Died 30 Years Ago

Post by pseudolus » Wed, Oct 22, 2014, 2:29 PM UTC

ab-irato wrote: post #9

dmunoz wrote: post #3

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Graham Farmelo also wrote The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom [0] which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It's not very technical, which is sometimes a nice attribute in these sorts of biographies, but it covers the science as it develops, if a little too briefly. [0] http://www.amazon.com/The-Strangest-Man-Hidden-Mystic/dp/046...

> covers the science as it develops, if a little too briefly. Most biographies of scientists focus on their character and personal life rather their work. There are very few technical biographies, even of highly technical people. Readers won't understand the work of the scientist any better after reading through one of them. Quantum Man[0] by Lawrence Krauss specifically aims to be a solution to this regarding Richar…

Post by ab-irato » Wed, Oct 22, 2014, 4:37 PM UTC

pvitz wrote: post #10

ab-irato wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> covers the science as it develops, if a little too briefly. Most biographies of scientists focus on their character and personal life rather their work. There are very few technical biographies, even of highly technical people. Readers won't understand the work of the scientist any better after reading through one of them. Quantum Man[0] by Lawrence Krauss specifically aims to be a solution to this regarding Richar…

A very good resource are Thomas Kuhn's interviews with Dirac [1]. He talked about his childhood (they barely spoke anything at home, because they had to talk in French...), his university studies and his findings. It is quite long but worth it! [1] http://www.aip.org/history/ohilist/4575_1.html

Post by pvitz » Wed, Oct 22, 2014, 5:53 PM UTC

ab-irato wrote: post #13

pvitz wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A very good resource are Thomas Kuhn's interviews with Dirac [1]. He talked about his childhood (they barely spoke anything at home, because they had to talk in French...), his university studies and his findings. It is quite long but worth it! [1] http://www.aip.org/history/ohilist/4575_1.html

This is great material! I wonder if the recordings are available somewhere on-line to the public.