Rabi: Scientist & Citizen

First edition of Daniel J. Kevles's landmark history of the rise of the American physics community from the post-Civil War period through the development of modern atomic and nuclear physics and the increasingly complex relationship among scientists, universities, industry, government and the military. The copyright page explicitly states “First Edition.” Although portions of the work had appeared previously and the copyright notice contains earlier dates, this Knopf volume was published as the first book edition in 1978. Kevles examines the institutional and intellectual development of American physics as well as figures including Einstein, Bohr, Rabi, Oppenheimer and their contemporaries. Later scholarship has continued to describe The Physicists as a classic history of American physics. Contemporary reviews likewise recognized it as an important large-scale study of the development of physics and its interaction with American society. Condition Good book in Fair dust jacket. Hardcover binding appears sound. Interior generally clean, but several preliminary leaves show short horizontal tears extending inward from the fore-edge, clearly visible in the photographs. These tears do not appear to affect the completeness or readability of the text but are a significant condition issue and should absolutely be disclosed. Dust jacket is substantially worn. Rubbing and scratching throughout, edge wear and creasing, with heavy chipping and paper loss at the head of the spine, additional chips/tears at corners and edges, and wear to the rear panel. Jacket nevertheless remains substantially complete and retains strong lettering and design. I would resist the temptation to call this VG just because the binding looks decent—the preliminary-page tears are real condition defects. Significance / Collector Appeal This is the original Knopf first edition of a work that has remained in print through later Harvard University Press editions. Physics Today has specifically referred to Kevles's work as a 1978 classic in the historiography of American physics. Current Abe offerings for the original hardcover edition include inexpensive ex-library copies around $7–12, while a hardcover copy with dust jacket is offered around $35. Your copy has the jacket, which helps, but its jacket losses and the page tears keep it firmly below a clean $35 example. Shipping / Returns Carefully packed for shipment. Domestic shipping via USPS Media Mail unless otherwise requested. Expedited and international shipping available where permitted. Returns accepted in accordance with AbeBooks policies. SCI3b Of these two, Rabi is the cleaner, easier sale at $22. The Physicists is the more bibliographically interesting first edition, but condition is doing its best to pick a fight with us. I would still list both. …