Matvei Petrovich Bronstein and Soviet Theoretical Physics in the Thirties (Science Networks: Historical Studies) - Hardcover

Gorelik, G. E.; Frenkel, Victor Ya

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0817627529 ISBN 13: 9780817627522

Publisher: Birkhauser, 1994

Synopsis

The short life and tragic death of Matvei Petrovich Bronstein (1906-1938) may be seen as a symbol of the man's time and his country. One of the most remarkable features of Soviet history was the impressive advance of its physical sciences against the brutal and violent background of totalitarianism. Soviet advances in nuclear and space technology form an important part of world history. These achievements had their roots in the 30s, when Bronstein's generation entered science. Among his friends were the famous physicists Lev Landau and George Gamow.
Bronstein worked in the vast field of theoretical physics, ranging from nuclear physics to astrophysics and from relativistic quantum theory to cosmology. His pioneering work on quantizing gravitation goes beyond the history of physics, because today the quantum theory of gravitation occupies a special place in fundamental physics.
Bronstein was also a master of scientific explanation thanks to his profound knowledge, enthusiasm as a teacher and a gift for literature. This enabled him to write popular science for children, the widest and most responsive group of readers. He became a writer with the help of his wife Lidiya Chukovskaya, known now as an outstanding writer and fighter for human rights.
Bronstein's life was closely intertwined with the social, historical and scientific context of one of the most tragic and intriguing periods of Russian history.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Gennady E. Gorelik and Victor Ya. Frenkel
Matvei Petrovich Bronstein
and Soviet Theoretical Physics in the Thirties
Translated by Valentina M. Levina

The short life and tragic death of Matvei Petrovich Bronstein (1906-1938) may be seen as a symbol of the man's time and his country. One of the most remarkable features of Soviet history was the impressive advance of its physical sciences against the brutal and violent background of totalitarianism. Soviet advances in nuclear and space technology form an important part of world history. These achievements had their roots in the 1930s, when Bronstein's generation entered science. Among his friends were the famous physicists Lev Landau and George Gamow.
Bronstein worked in the vast field of theoretical physics, ranging from nuclear physics to astrophysics and from relativistic quantum theory to cosmology. His pioneering work on quantizing gravitation goes beyond the history of physics, because today the quantum theory of gravitation occupies a special place in fundamental physics.
Bronstein was also a master of scientific explanation thanks to his profound knowledge, enthusiasm as a teacher and a gift for literature. This enabled him to write popular science for children, the widest and most responsive group of readers. He became a writer with the help of his wife Lidiya Chukovskaya, known now as an outstanding writer and fighter for human rights.
Bronstein's life was closely intertwined with the social, historical and scientific context of one of the most tragic and intriguing periods of Russian history.

------

 

Bronstein’s biography is well balanced between his personality, the institutional context, the scientific and ideological debates in the Soviet Union, and his scientific works. Most of all, the book gives interesting details on the politico-scientific context of the late 20ies and the 30ies.

(Arch. Int. Hist. Sci.)

 

The book includes much information about theoretical physics and the relation between science and society in the Soviet Union during the thirties.

(Zentralblatt MATH)

About the Author:

Gennady E. Gorelik is Professor at the Boston University USA. Victor Ya. Frenkel was Professor at the A.E.Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute in St.Petersburg, Russia.

About this edition

• Publisher: Birkhauser
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0817627529
• ISBN 13: 9780817627522
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 300