After listing films for science lovers and non-fiction books that are must-reads for technology enthusiasts let's talk about some of the most influential and must-read biographies that you would like to pass on. The modern and technological lifestyle we lead today is the result of years of exploration, research and experimentation in the works contributed by some legendary personalities from our past. This blog will give you a peek into the lives of such scientists and engineers that you would love to read about in detail through these immaculately researched, illustrated and inspiring biographies.
So, let's take a quick look at 10 biographies of famous personalities including engineers and physicists that would leave you inspired and enlightened.
1. Alan Turing: The Enigma
Author: Andrew Hodges
Published: 1983
Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5
Image Courtesy: Happy Reading
This book is a biographical journey of Alan Turing, the greatest mathematician of his time. The book was even adapted in the form of a film called 'The Imitation Game', starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the lead actor.
Alan Turing is remembered as the British cryptologist who built a machine, called Enigma, to crack Nazi Germany's top-secret codes during World War II. However, long before that he had already defined the concept of a universal machine that underpins the computer revolution. In the year 1945, he became a pioneer in the design of electronic computers.
His truest goal was to achieve scientific understanding of the mind for machine intelligence. He had far-sighted plans for the digital age and a vision for Artificial Intelligence at a time when no one really knew about the subject. He was a brilliant mathematician who made history with his work. However, his homosexuality led him to humility and was even considered a security risk. It is believed that he took his own life because of the injustice he experienced.
2. Never At Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton
Author: Richard S. Westfall
Published: April 1983
Goodreads Ratings: 4.09/5
Image Courtesy: Amazon
This book by Professor Westfall covers a richly detailed biography of Isaac Newton, encompassing his personal life as well as his scientific career. Many biographies have been written about Newton so far, but this one is the oldest and most detailed, with the highest ratings from readers. It is a well-balanced portrait of Newton as scientist, philosopher, theologian, and public figure. Although the book covered all aspects of Newton's career, the focus was placed on his scientific achievements.
Much of the book talks about his work on the development of calculus, his experiments that changed the direction of optics, and his investigations into celestial dynamics that led to the law of universal gravitation. With details of his achievements, setbacks, and personality, this book not only highlights the positive aspects but also provides an honest description of his flaws.
3. Tesla: Man Out of Time
Author: Margaret Cheney
Published: October 2001
Goodreads Ratings: 3.8/5
Image Courtesy: Happy Reading
Tesla: Man Out of Time chronicles the life of famous inventor Nikola Tesla, who was also a renowned electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and futurist. His works in the area of alternating current (AC) and electricity supply systems and other amazing inventions have played a huge role in shaping the world we live in today. From childhood to death, the book explores all of Tesla's prominent incidents and contributions, encompassing his achievements, obsessions, and eccentricities. The fact that Tesla was a genius with a unique personality makes the biography even more interesting.
About Nikola Tesla:
Apart from being an engineer and futurist, he was also considered a great physicist by many because of his contributions in the form of X-rays, modulation, magnetic field theory and so on. He was one of the greatest minds the world witnessed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He discovered the rotating magnetic field, which is the basis of most machines that currently use alternating current.
Additionally, he introduced the world to the basic concepts of computers, robotics, and missile science. His brilliance aside, he had quite unique characteristics such as eidetic memory and anti-social behavior. It was even believed that he had OCD, as he was quite picky about his clothes and other habits.
4. The Man Who Changed Everything: The Life of James Clerk Maxwell
Author: Basil Mahon
Published: October 2004
Goodreads Ratings: 4.08/5
Image courtesy: blogsopt
This is the first biography of Maxwell, one of the greatest scientists and a highly influential physicist who is still unknown to the masses. Free from convention and expectation, he brought the world's most original scientific thought and led to the discoveries that shaped the 20th century. Interestingly, unlike most scientists, he was completely admirable, thoughtful, thoughtful, and friendly.
The beauty of the biography comes from the fact that Basil did not simply define Maxwell's life; instead, he provided comprehensive details of the theorems and equations on which the latter worked. In addition to formulating field equations for electromagnetism, he made a notable contribution to statistical mechanics and even practically invented vector calculus. Furthermore, he was the first person to explain why there are different primary colors for pigment and light.
5. Rocketman: Astronaut Pete Conrad's Incredible Journey to the Moon and Beyond
Author: Nancy Conrad, Howard A. Klausner, Buzz Aldrin
Published: May 2005
Goodreads Rating: 4.06/5
Image courtesy: onlinecollege
This book is a biography of Pete Conrad, an American naval officer and aviator, who became the third man to walk on the moon. After facing financial difficulties and struggling with dyslexia, he got a Navy scholarship to Princeton and became one of the elite pilots. in His Country.
Even though he left the selection process for the Mercury Mission, he returned and successfully flew two Gemini missions. He also walked on the Moon as commander of Apollo 12, commanded the first Skylab, and developed the first reusable commercial rocket that logged more time in space than all the original astronauts combined. It's an informative yet heartfelt look at America's glorious trip to the Moon through the eyes of Pete Conrad.
About Pete Conrad
Pete Conrad was an American naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He set an 8-day space endurance record on the Gemini 5 mission and commanded the Gemini 11 mission. He also commanded the Skylab 2 mission, where he repaired significant launch damage to the Skylab space station.
6. Einstein: his life and universe
Author: Walter Isaacson
Published in: April 2007
Goodreads Ratings: 4.07/5
Image Courtesy: Amazon
Einstein: His Life and Universe is an engaging and definitive biography of Albert Einstein. The book shows how Einstein's scientific imagination grew out of his rebellious personality. He describes how his mind worked and explores his journey from a naughty patent clerk (who failed to get a PhD) to mind reading the creator of the cosmos and unlocking the mysteries of the universe.
He questioned conventional wisdom and excelled at solving mysteries that others considered mundane. His incredible mind gave us some of the most incredible scientific discoveries in history. The book is meticulously researched with eleven pages covering sources. Furthermore, it is well explained, beautifully written and conveys the message that you need to be creative and think differently to be successful.
7. The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom
Author: Graham Farmelo
Published: August 2009
Goodreads Ratings: 4.08/5
Image Courtesy: Happy Reading
The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom reveals the life of the great theoretical physicist Paul Dirac. He was one of Einstein's most admired colleagues and in 1933 he became the youngest theorist in the world to win the Nobel Prize in Physics. The book talks about many facets of Dirac's brilliance and an exciting era in scientific history.
Paul made fundamental contributions to the field of quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics and also formulated the Dirac equation. Furthermore, his prediction of antimatter proved to be one of the greatest victories in the history of physics.
He had an extraordinarily quirky personality, with little empathy for most people around him. He was eccentric, relentlessly lonely, direct, honest and completely obsessed with his work. Despite all these facts, he was a family man and loved by his friends. Even Albert Einstein said the following about him: “This balance on the dizzying path between genius and madness is horrible.”
8. Ghost in the Wires: My Adventure as the World's Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon
Author: Kevin D. Mitnick, William L. Simon and Steve Wozniak
Published in: April 2012
Goodreads Rating: 3.94/5
Image courtesy: onlinecollge
This book tells the life story of Kevin Mitnick, considered the most elusive computer hacking artist in history. He managed to access the computer networks of the largest companies in the world, such as Sun Microsystems, Motorola and Pacific Bell. Although it covers the events of the past, when Windows 95 was not even released, still there are no obsolete techniques in the book that could be considered boring.
It's a real-life adventure story of a hacker who knows how to manipulate almost anyone and get the information he needs. No matter how fast the authorities are, he is always ahead of them and manages to escape with the help of his intelligence and creativity. His hacker style and incredible skill set have brought a permanent change in the way companies and people protect their confidential information.
Interestingly, the book has received mixed reviews, as some readers think Kevin is being arrogant and trying to gain sympathy for what he has done; However, if you are technically inclined and have a deep interest in hacking, this book is a complete package of entertainment that reveals the story of the “most wanted hacker” the world has ever seen.
9. Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science
Author: Lawrence M. Krauss
Published in: March 2011
Goodreads Ratings: 4.02/5
Image courtesy: Arizona State University
Quantum Man is the biography of renowned physicist Richard Feynman who changed the world's perspective on Quantum Mechanics, the most confusing physical theories. Being a physicist himself, Lawrence focuses more on Science than on Feynman's life, which some readers may find disconcerting. The author made sure that the book did complete intellectual justice to Feynman and appreciated quantum physics to the fullest.
However, the book does not miss the intriguing anecdotes and insights that were frequently used by Feynman. The physicist revolutionized our understanding of nature and much of his work is responsible for driving the modern physics we study today. He helped develop the atomic bomb during World War II, was on the panel that investigated the Challenger space shuttle disaster, and even introduced the concept of nanotechnology. He broke all the rules to tame a theory that not only fueled his own success but also fascinated millions of people.
10. Elon Musk: Tesla, Space X and the search for a fantastic future
Author: Ashlee Vance
Published in: May 2015
Goodreads Ratings: 4.23/5
Image courtesy: talkpointz
Without a doubt, Elon Musk is one of those geniuses who inspire the entire generation of the modern world to innovate and create unique things using technology. That's why not only science lovers but also engineers from all over the world are fascinated by his work. This biography would provide you with a perfect day of insightful reading about Musk's exemplary contributions in the form of Tesla Motors, SpaceX and SolarCity.
The book captures Musk's entire journey, from being a geeky kid to being bullied at school, and from creating his first startup to buying Tesla and turning it into one of the most expensive brands on the market today. Besides being a successful businessman who doesn't think twice before taking risks, he is also an inspiring innovator with a brilliant mind, like some visionary and legendary personalities like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Steve Jobs. The voiceover is full of thanks, clearly showing that Ashlee is a big fan of Musk.
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