Empire Of The Stars by Arthur I Miller
In August 1930, on a boat trip from Bombay to England, the young Indian scientist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar calculated that certain stars could end their lives by collapsing indefinitely to a point -- to nowhere. This idea brought Chandra into conflict with Sir Arthur Eddington, the grand old man of British astrophysics, who publicly ridiculed the idea. EMPIRE OF THE STARS teases out the major implications of this infamous event, setting it against the backdrop of the turbulent growth of astrophysics, and provides a unique window on our unfolding view of the cosmos. In its clash of personalities, epochs and cultures, the story reveals the deep-seated psychological and philosophical prejudices at work in the acceptance and rejection of new scientific ideas. Beautifully written, artfully constructed, EMPIRE OF THE STARS is a serious book but one which also deals with classic themes -- a lone man struggling against the establishment, intellectual rivalry and the highs and lows of great individuals set against the broader sweep of history.
A fascinating book.. a well-researched chronicle of how powerful intellects confronted some of the most fascinating challenges in the world of science - and how they confronted each other as well Martin Rees, SUNDAY TIMES So beautifully written that I read it in one sitting ... A lively and exciting narrative ... A "must read" for anyone interested in the history of science NATURE *'Fascinating ... A quite brilliant account ... based on meticulous and thoughtful research ... Sheds new light on on the personalities of the two leading participants and on the very nature of scientific research Graham Farmelo, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH Arthur I. Miller's EMPIRE OF THE STARS dramatically succeeds in conveying the clash of scientific ideas and the personal conflicts underlying Chandrasekhar's remarkable anticipation of the existence of black holes in our universe. This is a story that ne Roger Penrose
Arthur I. Miller is Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science at University College London. He is an experienced broadcaster, lecturer and biographer. His last book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780349116273 |
| ISBN 10 | 034911627X |
| Title | Empire Of The Stars |
| Author | Arthur I Miller |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Little, Brown Book Group |
| Year published | 2006-10-05 |
| Number of pages | 416 |
| Prizes | Short-listed for Aventis General Prize for Science Books 2006 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |