The Strangest Man Audiobook By Graham Farmelo cover art

The Strangest Man

The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom

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The Strangest Man

By: Graham Farmelo
Narrated by: B. J. Harrison
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Paul Dirac was among the great scientific geniuses of the modern age. One of the discoverers of quantum mechanics, the most revolutionary theory of the past century, his contributions had a unique insight, eloquence, clarity, and mathematical power. His prediction of antimatter was one of the greatest triumphs in the history of physics.

One of Einstein's most admired colleagues, Dirac was in 1933 the youngest theoretician ever to win the Nobel Prize in physics. Dirac's personality is legendary. He was an extraordinarily reserved loner, relentlessly literal-minded, and appeared to have no empathy with most people. Yet he was a family man and was intensely loyal to his friends. His tastes in the arts ranged from Beethoven to Cher, from Rembrandt to Mickey Mouse.

Based on previously undiscovered archives, The Strangest Man reveals the many facets of Dirac's brilliantly original mind. A compelling human story, The Strangest Man also depicts a spectacularly exciting era in scientific history.

©2009 Graham Farmello (P)2009 Audible, Inc. Physics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Inspiring

Critic reviews

  • 2009 Costa Book Award (Biography)
  • 100 Notable Books of 2009 (New York Times)
  • Books of the Year 2009 (The Economist)
  • Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Science & Technology, 2010
"Farmelo proves himself a wizard at explaining the arcane aspects of particle physics. His great affection for his odd but brilliant subject shows on every page, giving Dirac the biography any great scientist deserves." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A must-read for anyone interested in the extraordinary power of pure thought. With this revelatory, moving and definitive biography, Graham Farmelo provides the first real glimpse inside the bizarre mind of Paul Dirac." (Roger Highfield, Editor, New Scientist)
Fascinating Biography • Well-researched Story • Calm Narration • Detailed Personality Portrayal • Insightful Portrayal
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This is one of the best books in terms of detail and insight into the brilliant character of Paul Dirac 1902-1984. Graham Farmelo, a British Physicist, has obviously done in-depth research, and I understand he had access to many of Dirac’s personal papers. The book won the 2009 Costa book award. The book is less a scientific biography than other books on Dirac, it emphasizes more the development of Dirac’s personality and the story of his relationship with his relations and colleagues. I learned a lot about Dirac, including his work on the atomic bomb during World War II. Dirac is responsible for several of the great breakthrough in 20th century physics and mathematics. He found the fundamental insight into quantum mechanics and remains the basic understanding even today. His textbook on Quantum Mechanics remains a rigorously clear explanation of the fundamental idea of quantum theory. He also developed the Dirac equation which is the basis of particle physics. He is known for developing quantum field theory, quantum electrodynamics and the understanding the role of magnetic monopoles in electromagnetism. Dirac was the youngest theoretician to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics (1933). He also won the Max Planck Medal and the Copley Medal. He was the Lucasian Professor of mathematics at Cambridge University. The chair is now held by Stephen Hawking. Dirac’s work was so advanced we are only just beginning to prove and use his work. B. J. Harrison did an excellent job narrating this long book.

Paul Dirac won 1933 Nobel Prize in physics

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Well written and particularly well read. Enjoyable and interesting if you like the history of physics. If the history of physics is not already your thing, you may not find this an exciting volume. I really enjoyed it but would not likely listen again.

As good as a Dirac biography could be :-)

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I liked it all. very interesting person, very interesting life. I liked dirac! thank you for the book

Dirac

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What a masterful writer Mr. Farmelo is! Enough said.

Listen to it. It is very long but you will laugh, you will get upset, you will not believe how removed from his environment he could become and you will miss him once he is gone. Good-bye Mr. Dirac.

Insanely good

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a comprehensive discussion of the life and works of the great man, Paul Dirac. The author does an excellent job at painting a picture, and I could see, in my mind's eye, every scene.
The narrator is engaging, and I was hooked on every word. I only wish I could find another biography on a physicist of this era, done this well.
Bravo, I only depressed its over.

What did you like best about this story?

I felt like I was there as these events took place. Very engaging.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking to learn field theory, or relativistic quantum mechanics, well then this is not for you. If you want to spend some time learning about one of physics most interesting characters, and empathize with him...then enjoy.

Wonderful

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Dirac was a very brilliant physicist and a unique individual, and his life’s story is presented in an engaging and entertaining manner. The history and early development of quantum mechanics, and the lives and personalities of Dirac and his cohort who founded it, are described in great detail. Highly recommended to those interested in Dirac, his contributions to physics, and to the formalization of quantum mechanics following Werner Heisenberg’s groundbreaking paper of 1925.

Full of Interesting Facts, Presented Well

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1st rate book. Historically interesting and significant.
Great narration, production, everything was perfect.
Highly recommended!

Great book

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It is always sad to hear about how some people who make some of the greatest contributions to science are forgotten. What a wonderful story about a brilliant man who had to live in a world he probably didn't fully understand.

amazing

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I agree with several other reviews - enjoyed this listen since the material was strong enough, held my interest, despite the poor narration. Someone, please instruct the narrator regarding pronunciation of the word "experiment". Since listening, the word "expirimint" is still ringing in my ears.

Good book, agree with others regarding narration

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I felt like I was reading an adventure novel rather than a biography. The book is well written and flows nicely, packed with good physics, and fun characterization.
The naration was great too.

Like a Novel

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