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| Genre/Form: | Biography Biographie Biographies |
|---|---|
| Named Person: | William Shockley; William Shockley; William Shockley; William Shockley; William Shockley |
| Material Type: | Biography, Internet resource |
| Document Type: | Book, Internet Resource |
| All Authors / Contributors: |
Joel N Shurkin |
| ISBN: | 1403988153 9781403988157 9780230551923 0230551920 |
| OCLC Number: | 64511173 |
| Description: | ix, 297 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Contents: | I: Moira: May and Billy -- 'I've got dark eyes. I can frighten people' -- The lightness of being -- II: Hubris: war and the transistor -- 'Of a highly explosive character' -- 'I hope you have better luck in the future' -- 'I think we better call Shockley' -- 'There's enough glory in this for everybody' -- ' ... To do my climbing by moonlight & unroped' -- 'Well-equipped female with brains' -- III: Nemesis: silicon valley and obsession -- 'Really peculiar ideas about how to motivate people' -- 'Three generations of imbeciles are enough' -- 'What law of nature have you discovered?' -- 'Someday we may actually be terrible alone' -- 'The high cost of thinking the unthinkable' -- 'I love you'. |
| Responsibility: | Joel N. Shurkin. |
| More information: |
Abstract:
Reviews
Publisher Synopsis
'At last, the definitive, unstinting biography of this hugely important historical figure - complete with all his contradictions and idiosyncrasies.' - Michael Riordan, coauthor of Crystal Fire'Shurkin deftly tackles this complex figure - and his unraveling - and delivers an unflinching portrait of a tragic life.' - Seed Magazine'Shurkin does a good job of portraying a difficult man - a vivid portrait.'- NewScientist'The other wonderful thing about this book is that it manages to convey the excitement of scientific inquiry and invention.' - New York Sun'Shurkin is a good storyteller, and better still as a researcher of the personal facts.' - Nobel Laureate Professor Philip Anderson, Times Higher Educational Supplement'FIVE STARS: this gripping biography gives a balanced picture of the most bizarre of the great names of electronics. Recommended.' - Brian Clegg, author of The God Effect and Light Years'I recommend it to people curious about the history of technology and the computer or anyone interested in a rise and fall of truly epic proportions.' - Cory Ondrejka, CTO Linden Labs/Second Life'This portrait of a flawed giant reveals a man crushed under the weight of his own pathological insecurities.' - David Bodanis, Discover'Masterfully walks the fine line between presenting Shockley as purely evil and legitimizing his more controversial theories - very readable.' - Physics World'Shurkin reveals Shockley to be a fascinating example of an Aristotelian tragic hero - riveting.' - Nature'This informed and candid biography asks, 'Why did a man so brilliant deliberately destroy himself?'' - Skeptical Inquiry Read more...
