Selected for science books of the year in the Observer and Times Higher Education. Shortlisted for the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books.
“The story is intriguing for it reveals the lack of insight of many of the world’s greatest physicists.”Robin McKie, Observer
“Ball’s book shows what can happen to morality when cleverness and discovery are valued above all else.”Philip Maughan, New Statesman
“Ball does an outstanding service by reminding us how powerful and sometimes confusing the pressures were. Packed with dramatic, moving and even comical moments.”Robert Crease, Nature
“The story of physicists under Hitler has been studied frequently and in great depth, though no account has aimed to be quite as comprehensive as this one by Philip Ball, a writer of exceptional versatility and productivity… this is an impressive assessment; Ball’s judgements on his three protagonists are well-reasoned, nuanced and, in my view, fair.”Graham Farmelo, Guardian
“Ball examines sensitively the careers of three eminent physicists who continued to work in Nazi Germany, emphasising the very different ways in which each dealt (or failed to deal) with the moral dilemmas of working in an increasingly oppressive state.”Sir Michael Berry, Times Higher Education
Bodley Head/University of Chicago Press (October 2014) hardcover ISBN 0-226-20457-X
For extended summary, click here – pdf.