J. A. Wheeler, RIP
Physicist John Archibald Wheeler has died at age 96. Richard Feynman, a student of Wheeler, is said to have remarked “Some people think Wheeler’s gotten crazy in his later years, but he’s always been crazy.” Considering the source, that was a great compliment.
If you ever get the chance, spend a few minutes looking at Gravitation, by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler. It is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. The typography, the diagrams, the layout, everything about it is gorgeous. I used to have a copy, which I sold a few years ago. I bought the book simply to own it. I didn’t have the physics chops to understand it, but it was so lovely I wanted to have it anyways. I finally sold my copy many years later, so that it might find a home with someone who would actually read it.
Rest in peace, Dr. Wheeler.
Posted on April 14th, 2008 by pwyll
Filed under: books, science
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Well. That is quite a statement coming from Richard Feynman, he of the Feynman Diagram, and Nobel Prize for Physics.
You are absolutely right about the aesthetics of “Gravitation”. One of my goals is to one day sit down and read that thing.
Actually, “Space-time Physics” is also a wonderful book, and it completely understandable to anyone who has a decent high school math background.
I have great admiration for brilliant scientists who can explain deep subjects clearly.