- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Ecco (2 Aug 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060562722
- ISBN-13: 978-0060562724
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 15.2 x 3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 464,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Master Mind
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RAISE A BLOODY CURTAIN on the year 1871. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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12 reviews
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A Look at the Scientific Mind
15 Nov 2005
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The mind of a scientist is a curious thing. A scientist is obviously driven by curiosity but what sparks that curiosity and what puts some scientific minds above others is a problem. The lives of Newton and Einstein have picked over for clues but, often, more clarity can be seen in the lives of the brilliant, if lesser, scientific minds. Fritz Haber is such an example.
Haber was the inventor of the process by which nitrogen can be produced on an industrial scale. This may not seem important but it is the process by which nitrogen fertilizers were invented, allowing food production on a scale never before seen. It is estimated that nearly a third of the current population of the earth could not be supported without the food production allowed by these fertilizers, for which Haber was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1918.
Newton & Einstein have a genius that stands alone but what similarities do we see with Haber, who happened to be a good friend of Einstein's? From what this book describes, it seems to be mainly the intense focus, concentration and hard work that these men brought to bear on problems. A touch of genius doesn't hurt, but without hard work, it amounts to nothing and, as Haber's life demonstrates, hard work and dedication can take you a long way.
So, with the great importance of his work, why is Haber basically unknown? Well, Haber's focus and hard work led him to ignore the morality of some of the implications of his work. In particular, his work with nitrogen contributed greatly to Germany's military might during World War I and World War II, nitrogen being the basic ingredient of explosives. The irony of this is that, despite his work for Germany's greatness in the early twentieth century, his Jewish heritage (even though he practiced Christianity for most of his adult life) made him anathema in Germany upon the rise of the Nazis. At his death in 1934, he was rejected--by the world because of his support of Germany and by Germany because of his Jewishness.
If the prose here is a little bland and somewhat less than penetrating in spots, Mr. Charles does offer us a portrait of the scientist as a blind seeker. For knowledge, yes, but also for recognition of his accomplishments in the public sphere. Perhaps this is where the life of Haber and Einstein most significantly diverge and makes us think Haber the lesser man. In any case, it is a life worth investigating for both its triumphs and its warnings.
Haber was the inventor of the process by which nitrogen can be produced on an industrial scale. This may not seem important but it is the process by which nitrogen fertilizers were invented, allowing food production on a scale never before seen. It is estimated that nearly a third of the current population of the earth could not be supported without the food production allowed by these fertilizers, for which Haber was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1918.
Newton & Einstein have a genius that stands alone but what similarities do we see with Haber, who happened to be a good friend of Einstein's? From what this book describes, it seems to be mainly the intense focus, concentration and hard work that these men brought to bear on problems. A touch of genius doesn't hurt, but without hard work, it amounts to nothing and, as Haber's life demonstrates, hard work and dedication can take you a long way.
So, with the great importance of his work, why is Haber basically unknown? Well, Haber's focus and hard work led him to ignore the morality of some of the implications of his work. In particular, his work with nitrogen contributed greatly to Germany's military might during World War I and World War II, nitrogen being the basic ingredient of explosives. The irony of this is that, despite his work for Germany's greatness in the early twentieth century, his Jewish heritage (even though he practiced Christianity for most of his adult life) made him anathema in Germany upon the rise of the Nazis. At his death in 1934, he was rejected--by the world because of his support of Germany and by Germany because of his Jewishness.
If the prose here is a little bland and somewhat less than penetrating in spots, Mr. Charles does offer us a portrait of the scientist as a blind seeker. For knowledge, yes, but also for recognition of his accomplishments in the public sphere. Perhaps this is where the life of Haber and Einstein most significantly diverge and makes us think Haber the lesser man. In any case, it is a life worth investigating for both its triumphs and its warnings.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A Superb Biography
24 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
I didn't know that Fritz Haber had done so much in his life - especially his invention of an efficient way to manufacture ammonia and fertilizer using nitrogen from the atmosphere; this won him a Nobel Prize. Nor did I know the details of his involvement with poison gas warfare. All of this and much more is fully discussed in this excellent, well-written biography. The author also provides the reader with a good glimpse of the evolving political, religious and cultural climate in which Fritz Haber lived. I found the book difficult to put down due to the engaging style in which it is written. Anyone interested in early twentieth century European history, chemistry and the life of a tragic figure who was central to both will find a great deal in this excellent book.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A book of historic value
30 Sep 2005
Format:Hardcover
Haber and Einstein. If for no other reason than the personal direction these two men took in their lives, this book is of historic value. Haber pursued an illusion Einstein realized did not exist. I found Master Mind exciting and of lasting value. Daniel Charles' writing is beautiful as well as lucid. (...)
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