Big Science

Ernest Lawrence and the Invention That Launched the Military-Industrial Complex

By: Michael Hiltzik

Narrated by: Bob Saouer

Since the 1930s, the scale of scientific endeavors has grown exponentially. Machines have become larger, ambitions bolder. The first particle accelerator cost less than $100 and could be held in its creator's palm while its descendant, the Large Hadron Collider, cost $10 billion and is 17 miles in circumference. Scientists have invented nuclear weapons, put a man on the moon, and examined nature at the subatomic scale - all through Big Science, the industrial-scale research paid for by governments and corporations that have driven the great scientific projects of our time.

The birth of Big Science can be traced to Berkeley, California, nearly nine decades ago, when a resourceful young scientist with a talent for physics and an even greater talent for promotion pondered his new invention and declared, "I'm going to be famous!" Ernest Orlando Lawrence's cyclotron would revolutionize nuclear physics, but that was only the beginning of its impact. It would change our understanding of the basic building blocks of nature. It would help win World War II. Its influence would be felt in academia and international politics. It was the beginning of Big Science. This is the incredible story of how one invention changed the world and of the man principally responsible for it all. Michael Hiltzik tells the riveting full story here for the first time.

©2015 Michael Hiltzik (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books, recorded by arrangement with Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Michael Hiltzik tells an epic story, one with arenas of tragedy as well as triumph, and he tells it well.” (Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian)

"Michael Hiltzik sheds fresh light on the transition from small science to big science that we take for granted today.” (George Dyson, author of Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe)

SCIENCE LEADERS

Interesting details are revealed about the discovery of fission and the advent of the nuclear age in Michael Hiltzik’s history of “Big Science”. Hiltzik shows “Big Science” is expensive and involves large teams of scientists led by people like Ernest Lawrence. Lawrence was born and raised in Canton, South Dakota, a rural community of less than 3,000 residents.  Lawrence pioneered American nuclear science and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for invention of the cyclotron. Lawrence's invention led to the creation of the atom bomb, and later the Large Hadron Collider.

Hiltzik’s driving theme is the importance of “Big Science” and America’s waning support after WWII. Hiltzik’s primary example is America’s failure to lead in creating a super cyclotron like that which was built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).  America participated in the cost but chose not to be the lead in its creation. Of particular note today is the need for investment and leadership in environment and energy.

After listening to Hiltzik's book, one may ask oneself--where is the Ernest Lawrence of the 21st century that is leading a team of young scientists in “Big Science”?  Ideas are out there but America’s investment seems destined to be limited by capitalist incentives, not “Big Science” experimentation.

informative and very interesting

Any additional comments?

Lawrence was clearly a towering figure in the history of accelerator and nuclear physics. He combined science, engineering, management and political skills to create and advance big scientific projects. In fact he eventually drove himself to death in those pursuits. The background historical information of this book is illuminating. The fast paced narration is an asset.

Wonderful Detailed History of Nigeria Science

This book brings the birth of the military industrial complex to life. It puts a human face on the people behind the partickes!

Sub-atomic Physics from origin to modern day

Loved it! learned so much! talks of the origin of subatomic particle research through modern day national labs and thermonuclear weapons/H bombs

Amazing

Everything the media has told us recently is wrong. Walt Kelly was right we have found the enemy and he is us. Great story, well told about a man and his associates who are larger than life and changed our world in ways we don't fully understand even today. If you are involved in the defense Business in anyway this is a must read.