Force of Nature: The Life of Linus Pauling by Thomas Hager

Force of Nature: The Life of Linus Pauling Reviews

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  Carl Gettleman

  It is odd that the only American in history to win two unshared Nobel Prizes is so unknown in his own country. Few people in history have led lives as remarkable as Linus Pauling. He is certainly one of the seminal geniuses of the twentieth century and the magnitude of his contribution to science is without parallel. Before Pauling, chemist studied in great detail how different chemicals reacted to one another. Pauling initiated the quest to understand molecular structure as the basis for understanding chemistry. It was an enormous and complex intellectual undertaking. At the same time he was a man of conscience, deeply involved in preventing thermonuclear war and seeking justice for victims of intolerance and oppression. It cost him during the McCarthy era and beyond. His confidence in his own abilities was legendary and he mentored many future scientists, though I don't think any of his successors were able to make discoveries and contributions as important as his.
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  Jo Blakely

  Never in a million years would I have thought a biography to be so thrilling. It is, by far, the best biography I have ever read of a man who has since become a hero of mine. An exciting life of discovery and research and circumstances, government, and status quo organizations that thwarted him. That said, he is the only person who has won 2 Nobel prizes in 2 different categories - Peace and Chemistry. He is the father of Quantum Chemistry and one of his prizes was for his work in Sickle Cell Anaemia. He was an activist against Nuclear Bomb Testing. A true humanitarian and inspiration. I highly recommend getting to know this man through this book.
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  Lucas

  This is a monumental work. The only thing I found lacking was that I expected to read more about what were Pauling's reactions to the first protein x-ray structures in the 60s. Still, that does not change the fact that this is an outstanding portrait of a 20th century icon.
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  Manolis Politis

  Amazing book about an amazing scientist, a brilliant mind, a real force of nature. A star chemist, founder with his influence of the molecular biology. A really full life, a life well lived.
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  Darko Doko

  Well this is the way books should be written and then there would be many more readers. I just love Hager s writing style. Enjoyable interesting and full of facts so that I read his whole book of 750 pages in couple of days
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  Mark Stidham

  A must read for anyone interested in Linus Pauling. It is skillful in presenting science in an accessible way while also portraying a unique and important personality.
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  Kayla Peacock

  Incredible, fascinating biography.
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  Bhargav

  A remarkable, page-turning biography about the life, work, relationships, and politics of a remarkable man.
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  Erik M. Flodin

  Wonderful biography providing insight to a genius that has been overlooked by history.