Genius In The Shadows: A Biography Of Leo Szilard, The Man Behind The Bomb

Genius in the Shadows: A Biography of Leo Szilard, the Man Behind the Bomb

Leo Szilard has long been overshadowed by such luminaries as Einstein, Oppenheimer, and Enrico Fermi-with whom he codesigned the first nuclear reactor in 1942. A shy, witty eccentric, the Hungarian born Szilard lived both sides of the arms race, working first to prevent, then to hasten, and finally to outlaw nuclear weapons.Lanouette's book is eminently readable. . . . An excellent book spiced with telling anecdotes about a strange man who influenced world history.-Max F. Perutz, New York Review of BooksLanouette's exhaustively researched and artfully written account of one of the most underrated figures of the atomic age establishes Szilard as both a curmudgeon and a posthumously honored prophet.-Gregg Herken, NatureWilliam Lanouette . . . has written the most sensitive and lively biography. . . . The book gives an excellent picture of the man, and makes most interesting reading. I strongly recommend it.-Hans Bethe, Physics TodayA wonderful book about this endlessly fascinating man . . . one of the most entertaining stories in recent years. . . . A keeper.-Dick Teresi, New York Times Book Review