THE NEW RUSSIAN SCIENTIST

by Albert Parry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 2, 1973

The title of this book is misleading. The New Russian Scientist contains accurate and real-life biographical studies of physical scientist Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-65), mathematician Nikolai Lobachevsky (1792-1856), Dmitry Mendeleyev (1834-1906) the inventor of the Periodic Table, pathologist Ilya Pavlov (1849-1936) who studied conditioned reflexes, and spacecraft pioneer Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935). But of all the Russian scientists who have contributed actively since Sputnik I ushered in the space age, only Peter Kapitsa is honored with a chapter in this book. Why is the late physics Nobelist Lev Landau only mentioned in passing? Why isn't there a discussion of Iosef Shlovskii, the famous astronomer who has contributed greatly to the discussion on the likelihood of extraterrestrial life? Perhaps the answer lies in Albert Party's strong anti-Soviet stance. Only those scientists who have forced serious political/censorship difficulties with the Russian government are deemed worthy of lengthy discussion -- as if scientific accomplishment and ideological harassment are somehow linked. The book is, however, a good historical review of Czarist and early Soviet science and scientists; it also presents a sympathetic if standard view of the plight of the Soviet intellectual. Unfortunately, it contains little on current Soviet scientists and their work.

Pub Date: Aug. 2, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION