From X-rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries (Dover Classics of Science & Mathematics) Paperback – Illustrated, June 5, 2007

In my opinion, "From X-Rays to Quarks," by Emilio Segre is one of the greatest books that I have ever read. I believe that it should be "required reading" for every student of science, and particularly physics. It presents the lives of the great scientist of the past and present, who have made such tremendous contributions to mankind through their scientific achievements, lifts them from the dry pages of history books, and makes them "Live." After reading Segre's book, these scientist seem like great friends whom you have personally and intimately known for many years and whose achievements you can never forget. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.Raymond, J. Jerome --Author of "From Creation to Eternity' and "A Grand View of Existence."

Great book for an informative and relatively short review of the development of XX century physics - just exactly what the title says. Has a handful of interesting pictures of the main characters of the saga and should appeal to the high schooler and the layman interested in physics.

What this book is not:A text bookWritten to explain some controversial theoryPromoting a world view or pseudo religious beliefAn artful work of literatureWritten for a general audienceWhat this book is:A chronological narrative of the development of modern physicsA series of stories about scientist and the nature of their experimentsA tome that covers the most important physics discoveries for the era it coversWhy read this book?I would recommend this book to anyone who studies the hard sciencesThis book would nicely augment a modern physics courseBecause knowing the history of science promotes real understanding

If you think “being ignorant about the past is the privilege of the youth”, reading this book is the quickest way to change your mind. For every physics student or even a physicist, if you are too busy to survey the history of modern physics, at least read this book.

It is a nice history of modern physics. Certainly many times shows short biographies of individuals that are many times not discussed. Also discussions about conferences with multiple major minds were very interesting to me.Certainly if your interested in specific personalities a biography on them specifically would likely be better than this; however, it is a nice vignette of multiple individuals.

This is a wonderful book. I'm glad it's back in print again. Highly recommended, together with "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves".

Segre's style on physics is straight forward and non-intimidating. But what make this book is his stories. Emilio met and worked with many of these men. He describes their personalities attitudes and politics, and they come alive in his book. This is history the way it ought to be taught. Squisito! Bravo! Bravisimo!

But very poor printing quality. Particularly, the photographes cannot be rendered with such a wonderful modern technoque called "digital print". For this, progress is going in the backward direction.