Uncertainty: The Life and Science of Werner Heisenberg

by David C. Cassidy

Werner Heisenberg's genius and his place at the forefront of modern physics are unquestioned. His decision to remain in Germany throughout the Third Reich and his role in Hitler's atomic bomb project are still topics of heated debate. UNCERTAINTY is David Cassidy's compelling portrait of this brilliant, ambitious, and controversial scientist. It is the definitive Heisenberg biography, as well as a striking evocation of the development of quantum physics, the rise of Nazism, and the dawn of the atomic age.

Genres: Science, Biography, Physics, History, Nonfiction, Quantum Mechanics, History Of Science

688 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

http://www.aps.org/units/fhp/newslett...

Reviews

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the horrifying scientific principle that launched more art and literature, from novels to drama to cinema, than any other in history. While in the nineteenth century Ludwig Boltzmann made the most terrifying discovery of all time, i.e. our universe is dying due to entropy or the Second Law of Thermodynamics, Werner Heisenberg can lay claim to disrupting and shattering the universe in a way not even his contemporary Einstein could accomplish. Quite simply, in the subatomic world nothing exists; it only probably exists, or half-exists and half does not. God really does play dice with the universe. If that's the case you're only a probable human being probably reading this review right now. Think about it: induction, or reason itself, is false because nothing can be called stable nor any predictions taken at face value, not even "my hand will burn if I cast it into a lit fireplace. The other great "Uncertainty" of Heisenberg's life is whether, after agreeing to work on Nazi Germany's nuclear weapons program, he deliberately sabotaged that program to prevent Hitler from gaining atomic weapons (the thesis of HEISENBERG'S WAR, by Thomas Power.) or was he simply too ignorant of practical physics to build such a weapon; in other words, the exact opposite of J. Robert Oppenheimer. David Cassidy allows the reader to decide. Heisenberg, who died in 1976, wisely kept his mouth shut on the matter and rested on his pre-war laurels.

[Pratyush Rathore · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two facets to this - the person who Heisenberg was and the skill and effort of the biography.

To cut things short, Heisenberg was a brilliant Physicist who also happened to be a Nazi. After the war, the rest of the world chose not to call him a Nazi because he was a brilliant Physicist. Real world Hans Zola.

The book tries very hard to defend the notion that Heisenberg was not a Nazi. And fails at it. Trying to create a victim out of a villain is an oft played card and most of it is just rhetoric. That, for me, is not a very good biography. In fact, I don't think I know Heisenberg personally, even after reading the book, simply because I don't know what his true thoughts were and what is just convenient fiction.

The writing skill is okay, as against good or great. It was bearable but not a delight or pleasure to read. The technical aspects are covered cleanly.

Overall, perhaps a 2.5 star, rounding off to 3 to give the author the benefit of doubt. Considering that I usually am generous in giving stars, I will say that this is not recommended.

[Álvaro Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography of Werner Heisenberg showing his life, ups and downs, doubts and thoughts, during his complicated lifetime.
The book describes brilliantly the relationship he had with his colleagues, both German and non German, before, during and after WWII and the love for Germany he felt being unable and unwilling to leave it even in the verge of the deadliest war of our times.
It also talks in detail about the evolution of quantum mechanics. Very interesting for any physicist who is curious about this field.

[Steve Schinke · Rating 3 out of 5]

To begin with, the math needed to fully comprehend the physics is beyond my abilities. Other than that I believe that the book is a solid representation of of his scientific contributions and provides a context for his efforts in Nazi Germany.

[Jc Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not technically a Nazi, but way complicit.

[Gary Patella · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I admit that it was a bit of a struggle to become immersed in this book, in the end it was well worth it. The amount of research that went into writing this is absolutely incredible! There is a good balance of biographical information and science. The last 15 to 20 years of Heisenberg's life are a bit glossed over, but this seems like it was the result of his life itself not containing much to write about in those years. I would definitely recommend this to any die hard science fanatics.

[Jack Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting History and Science.Great insites into the science community during the second war.
And insites as to why the power vacuum happened between the two wars which enabled Hitler to rise to power.
The book is also a very consise look at the genius of Werner Heisenberg.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

But what happened in Helgoland? Arrgh!