Energy and Conflict: The Life and Times of Edward Teller
New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1976. Book Club Edition. Hardcover. xviii, 492, [2] p. Illustrations. Occasional footnotes. Notes. Index. From WIkipedia: "Edward Teller (Hungarian: Teller Ede; January 15, 1908 September 9, 2003) was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist, known colloquially as "the father of the hydrogen bomb", even though he claimed he did not care for the title. Teller made numerous contributions to nuclear and molecular physics, spectroscopy (the Jahn Teller and Renner Teller effects), and surface physics. His extension of Fermi's theory of beta decay (in the form of the so-called Gamow Teller transitions) provided an important stepping stone in the applications of this theory. The Jahn Teller effect and the BET theory have retained their original formulation and are still mainstays in physics and chemistry. Teller also made contributions to Thomas Fermi theory, the precursor of density functional theory, a standard modern tool in the quantum mechanical treatment of complex molecules. In 1953, along with Nicholas Metropolis and Marshall Rosenbluth, Teller co-authored a paper which is a standard starting point for the applications of the Monte Carlo method to statistical mechanics. Teller emigrated to the United States in the 1930s, and was an early member of the Manhattan Project charged with developing the first atomic bombs. During this time he made a serious push to develop the first fusion-based weapons as well, but these were deferred until after World War II. After his controversial testimony in the security clearance hearing of his former Los Alamos colleague J. Robert Oppenheimer, Teller was ostracized by much of the scientific community. He continued to find support from the U.S. government and military research establishment, particularly for his advocacy for nuclear energy development, a strong nuclear arsenal, and a vigorous nuclear testing program. He was a co-founder of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and was both its director and associate director for many years. In his later years he became especially known for his advocacy of controversial technological solutions to both military and civilian problems, including a plan to excavate an artificial harbor in Alaska using thermonuclear explosives. He was a vigorous advocate of Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Throughout his life, Teller was known both for his scientific ability and his difficult interpersonal relations and volatile personality, and is considered one of the inspirations for the character Dr. Strangelove in the 1964 movie of the same name." From the Internet: "Stanley A. Blumberg, wasa Baltimore author, inventor and Middle Eastern expert who collaborated on two books about nuclear physicist Edward Teller. Armed with his ever-present pipe and ballpoint, Mr. Blumberg produced a torrent of articles over the years that encompassed a wide variety of issues from science to economics and the affairs of Israel." Also from the Internet: "Gwinn F. Owens, was a retired editor and editorial writer who made Baltimore's The Evening Sun's op-ed page a popular feature with readers and contributors." Condition: Good in fair dust jacket. Pencil erasure residue on fep. DJ has no price.
Keywords: Atomic Energy Commission, Robert Bacher, Hans Bethe, Niels Bohr, Norris Bradbury, Gordon Dean, Enrico Fermi, Ernest O. Lawrence, Livermore Laboratory, Robert Oppenheimer, Nuclear Weapons
ISBN: 9780399115516
[Book #66905]
Price: $25.00