Review by Choice Review
Goldstein tells about Zacharias (1905-1986), "scientist, engineer, educator." Based largely upon reminiscences of friends (65 besides Zacharias were interviewed) this history traces his career beginning at Columbia University where he worked with I.I. Rabi. After WW II, he returned to teaching and civilian military research at MIT, including Project Lexington (nuclear-powered flight), Project Hartwell (undersea warfare), and Project Charles (North American air defense). He also undertook profitable entrepreneurial projects, manufacturing an atomic clock (sold commercially as the Atomichron), and founding (with J. Wiesner) Hycon Eastern, a very profitable firm specializing in data processing and nuclear electronics. Zacharias's most important work was in education: as a member of the Physical Science Study Committee, confronting the problems of science education to Africa, and designing ways to introduce science to elementary school children. A very well-written, briskly paced account of how one man transformed science education in the US at a crucial phase in its development. General; advanced undergraduate through professional. J. W. Dauben; Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
