Phillip F. Schewe

A slightly disappointing book about Freeman Dyson.
The book was written without the participation of Dyson, but with assistance of others from the family.
The author seems to struggle a little in understanding or presenting the essence of the work Dyson did in physics - it's not easy, but if you decide to write a bio of a scientist who made his name in quantum physics, then you need to be able to deal with the content!
The author also has a an annoying habit of repeating information - a little like a low-budget TV documentary that offers recapitulations after every ad break.
Dyson comes across as an interesting character, prone to contrariness, and tilting toward eccentricity with age.… (plus d'informations)

This is breezy sketch of the electricity grid. It felt like the author didn't want to scare anyone with a difficult topic so instead he attempted a poetic angle. I suppose I must have learned a few things... okay, I have a MS in physics and a maybe 23 year career in electrical engineering.. but only a couple years in power engineering. So reading this book for me was an attempt to broaden my perspective. Which I did do, but this book was not really very effective for me.

An example of limping poetry... at the end, Schewe has this extended sort of parallel discussion of Allis and Apollo, two huge machines. The Apollo Saturn V rocket and the "Big Allis" Allis-Chalmers steam turbine in Queens, NY. It's a reasonable parallel but anyway for me the poetic approach didn't add to the illumination.

The electric grid really is a remarkable and profound ... what? Institution? Structure? It is so pervasive and so multifaceted and so intricate. If you don't know enough about the power grid to be amazed when you reflect on it, this would probably be a good book for you to read. If you know enough to be amazed, this book doesn't really dig in enough to deepen your reflections.… (plus d'informations)

This is a well written book for a narrow audience. I think the reader must have some knowledge of and interest in sciences and science issues. During his long career Mr.s Dyson has dabbled in many different areas of science although Physics is his specialty.. He has almost always rejected the majority view in the scientific community - like on global warming which he sees some benefit to it happening. Although the book tells the story of his background and family life the main thrust here is to focus on his wide variety of accomplishment and almost satisfaction at being a renegade to the scientific establishment.… (plus d'informations)

As is usual, I received this book via a GoodReads giveaway. Despite the kind consideration of paying nothing for the book my candid opinions follow below.

To begin, a few key points. The first of which is to point out that this book has very little to do with science, or indeed anything especially technical. It is first and foremost a biography. Anyone wishing to learn about Dyson's achievements at a technical level will find themselves wholly disappointed. Further, the book is organized as a simple chronology of events and while it touches on some of Dyson's interactions with the more technical crowd which surrounded him throughout his lifetime, it doesn't go into them in any satisfactory depth.

After this book it is clear to any reader that Dyson is the ultimate polymath. Excelling at any number of disciplines he's pretty much what I would aim for myself, broad and wise pursuit of all available knowledge. One can find no more auspicious target than that.

Despite the incisive perception of the subject, the author does tend to drag in his presentation. The events of Dyson's life are laid out on display but as a more technical reader I found myself tapping my foot a bit in the metaphorical sense. It took a long time to convey what I wanted to know. Readers with a more personal or biographical bent are sure to be pleased where I was impatient.

In summary, Dyson is clearly a miracle of his age. This biography, however, leaves the most interested parties, the nerds and geeks of the world, a bit disappointed. To those who simply wish to know about the man, all satisfaction is guaranteed. To those who want the back story on the specific technical innovations, prepare for disappointment.… (plus d'informations)