Niels Bohr: A Very Short Introduction

This book introduces the life and work of one of the most creative physicists of the 20th century.

Niels Bohr, the pioneer of quantum theory, ranking with Einstein in importance for the development of modern physics, also had deep interests in philosophy, literature, and humanism.

John Heilbron explores how these influenced his groundbreaking work.

Prologue; 1 A richly furnished mind: Viking Jew; Christian philosopher; physicist; 2 Productive ambiguity: Revelations of hydrogen; unfinished business; 3 Magic wand: instant progress; the Institute, the Bohrfest, and the Nobel Prize; exclusion and energy; 4 Enthusiastic resignation: quantum talk; the challenger; complementarity; 5 The Institute: mopping up; new directions; outreach; 6 Elder statesman: Uncle Nick; historia magistra vitae; Appendices; General reading; Index