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A Force of Nature: The Frontier Genius of Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford, who grew up in colonial New Zealand and came to Cambridge on a scholarship, made numerous revolutionary discoveries, among them the orbital structure of the atom and the concept of the “half-life” of radioactive materials, which led to a massive reevaluation of the age of the earth—previously judged just 100 million years old. Above all, perhaps, Rutherford and the young men working under him were the first to split the atom, unlocking tremendous forces—forces, as Rutherford himself predicted, that would bring us the atomic bomb.
Rutherford, awarded a Nobel Prize and made Baron Rutherford by the queen of England, was also a great ambassador of science, coming to the aid of colleagues caught in the Nazi and Soviet regimes. Under Rutherford’s rigorous and boisterous direction, a whole new generation of remarkable physicists emerged. In Richard Re’s hands, Rutherford leaps off the page, a ruddy, genial man and a towering figure in scientific history.
Rutherford, awarded a Nobel Prize and made Baron Rutherford by the queen of England, was also a great ambassador of science, coming to the aid of colleagues caught in the Nazi and Soviet regimes. Under Rutherford’s rigorous and boisterous direction, a whole new generation of remarkable physicists emerged. In Richard Re’s hands, Rutherford leaps off the page, a ruddy, genial man and a towering figure in scientific history.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 1971
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337 people want to read
About the author
Richard Reeves
57 books57 followersRichard Furman Reeves was an American writer, syndicated columnist, and lecturer at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 25, 2024
A great micro-biography of Ernest Rutherford. I knew about his genius (Rutherford Model for the Atom, etc), but had no idea he was the mentor to 11 Nobel Prize winning scientists. It was also nice to understand his particular kind of genius. A famous quote about him, demonstrated in the book, was "the greatest experimentalist since Michael Faraday". Anyway, I'm enjoying the series and sometimes, just a random new idea or contextual fact makes the book worth the read. This biography had several of those.
January 4, 2018
Many physicists, Einstein among them, believed the atom contained tremendous energy. Rutherford, a Kiwi potato farmer, proved it.
October 17, 2018
It's my custom to bring a book along to read on plane trips and present to hosts upon arriving at my destination. I chose this because it was short enough to finish en route to San Francisco and because Tom, the host, has an abiding interest in physics.
While including the author's involvement in replicating one of Rutherford's seminal experiments, this is basically a brief, sympathetic-if-not-laudatory biography of the scientist detailing his major discoveries, his laboratory technique and the eccentricities of his behavior.
While including the author's involvement in replicating one of Rutherford's seminal experiments, this is basically a brief, sympathetic-if-not-laudatory biography of the scientist detailing his major discoveries, his laboratory technique and the eccentricities of his behavior.
August 21, 2020
Finally, a famous physicist that I not only admire academically, but really respect as a person. Okay, there are actually many of them, but I really love his personable nature, his ability to apologize, and the strength of character that allows this to be carried through the years.
The book: well-written, and easy to understand. There’s a fine line when writing about a physicist about how far you get into the work and how much you stay on the person. Reeves does a great job of highlighting the man, but also touching on the science, but to an extent that is still digestible for the audience. I also felt that all scientific descriptions helped build the character of the man by showing what his mind was capable of and the level of attention to detail Rutherford was able to attain in his research, making him possibly the greatest experimental physicist... dare I say ever?
This is just all around a feel good biography about a man who was passionate about his research, but also made time for other things. He had respect for other people and that alone gains my respect.
The book: well-written, and easy to understand. There’s a fine line when writing about a physicist about how far you get into the work and how much you stay on the person. Reeves does a great job of highlighting the man, but also touching on the science, but to an extent that is still digestible for the audience. I also felt that all scientific descriptions helped build the character of the man by showing what his mind was capable of and the level of attention to detail Rutherford was able to attain in his research, making him possibly the greatest experimental physicist... dare I say ever?
This is just all around a feel good biography about a man who was passionate about his research, but also made time for other things. He had respect for other people and that alone gains my respect.
January 1, 2014
If you have an interest in turn-of-the-century physics and science history, the is a good read. A force of nature Rutherford indeed was...he and his students (including Bohr, Chadwick, Roentgen) directly had their hands in 14 Nobel prizes. An astounding body of work for the son of a simple farmer from the outlands of New Zealand.
June 13, 2017
This book sheds light on a forgotten hero of our society. A Force of Nature: The Frontier Genius of Ernest Rutherford explains Rutherford's life and what he did to help civilization advance. Richard Reeves did a great job writing his experiments.
December 27, 2025
I picked this book up from the public library in Montreal, and it ended up feeling far more personal than I expected. Being a physicist myself, and having visited McGill University and passed by its museum, reading this book made the experience especially engaging. Knowing that, once upon a time, a Nobel laureate like Ernest Rutherford walked those same hallways; imagining what the atom might look like long before anyone else could; added a quiet sense of awe to the reading.
What made it even more meaningful is realizing that McGill’s physics department is named Rutherford. If you pass by, you might never guess there’s a deeper reason behind the name beyond honoring a scientific genius. Reading this book makes that connection feel real: it’s not just a tribute, but a reminder of how closely his work is tied to the place and to a pivotal moment in the history of physics.
One part I especially appreciated is how the author explains the actual difficulty of Rutherford’s work. Reeves describes how he and his team tried to redo Rutherford’s original measurements, only to realize just how complex and non-trivial those experiments really were. It becomes very clear that these weren’t simple or obvious discoveries. Rutherford’s insights, and even the later work of his students, like Chadwick; were truly acts of genius, built on intuition, persistence, and an extraordinary ability to see meaning in subtle experimental results.
Richard Reeves does a great job of turning Rutherford from a distant historical figure into someone vivid and human, boisterous, generous, and driven by pure curiosity. The book traces his journey from colonial New Zealand to Cambridge, and eventually to discoveries that completely reshaped our understanding of matter, including the structure of the atom and the concept of radioactive half-life.
Beyond his own achievements, the book highlights Rutherford’s impact as a mentor. Under his leadership, an entire generation of physicists emerged, many of whom would go on to define modern physics. At the same time, the story doesn’t shy away from the heavier legacy of his work; the splitting of the atom and the forces it unleashed, including the path toward the atomic bomb.
I also appreciated how much attention is given to Rutherford as a person, not just a mind. He comes across as someone who believed deeply in science as a shared, global pursuit, helping colleagues escape oppressive regimes and supporting the scientific community beyond borders and politics.
Overall, A Force of Nature is a thoughtful and engaging biography that blends science, history, and humanity beautifully. Reading it while living in Montreal; so close to places where this history unfolded; made it feel especially meaningful.
What made it even more meaningful is realizing that McGill’s physics department is named Rutherford. If you pass by, you might never guess there’s a deeper reason behind the name beyond honoring a scientific genius. Reading this book makes that connection feel real: it’s not just a tribute, but a reminder of how closely his work is tied to the place and to a pivotal moment in the history of physics.
One part I especially appreciated is how the author explains the actual difficulty of Rutherford’s work. Reeves describes how he and his team tried to redo Rutherford’s original measurements, only to realize just how complex and non-trivial those experiments really were. It becomes very clear that these weren’t simple or obvious discoveries. Rutherford’s insights, and even the later work of his students, like Chadwick; were truly acts of genius, built on intuition, persistence, and an extraordinary ability to see meaning in subtle experimental results.
Richard Reeves does a great job of turning Rutherford from a distant historical figure into someone vivid and human, boisterous, generous, and driven by pure curiosity. The book traces his journey from colonial New Zealand to Cambridge, and eventually to discoveries that completely reshaped our understanding of matter, including the structure of the atom and the concept of radioactive half-life.
Beyond his own achievements, the book highlights Rutherford’s impact as a mentor. Under his leadership, an entire generation of physicists emerged, many of whom would go on to define modern physics. At the same time, the story doesn’t shy away from the heavier legacy of his work; the splitting of the atom and the forces it unleashed, including the path toward the atomic bomb.
I also appreciated how much attention is given to Rutherford as a person, not just a mind. He comes across as someone who believed deeply in science as a shared, global pursuit, helping colleagues escape oppressive regimes and supporting the scientific community beyond borders and politics.
Overall, A Force of Nature is a thoughtful and engaging biography that blends science, history, and humanity beautifully. Reading it while living in Montreal; so close to places where this history unfolded; made it feel especially meaningful.
March 23, 2019
A great discovery indeed. This book series is so far, by my account, pure gold. Gotta read em all!
Ernest Rutherford was to experimental physics what Albert Einstein was to theoretical physics. Born in the antipodes, the stunningly beautiful New Zealand, he naturally had his eyes on nature from early on. His unique intuition, collaborating abbilities, unselfishness and down to earthness (sic) contributed immensly to the revolution of nuclear physics and mapping of the atom through the first third of the 20th century.
Because he rejected to patent any of his inventions and turned down vast amont of funds over the years of his career he never became a rich man, at least not of money. But as true values goes, the real humanitarian richness, he was very wealthy. "We didn't have any money, so we had to think", as his famous quote says.
One can almost feel Rutherford booming character; His burst of laughter, exitement by singing along with the other sound waves he produced wich could interupt labaratory experiments.
All this is thanks to the brilliant portrait presented by Mr. Richard Reeves!
Ernest Rutherford was to experimental physics what Albert Einstein was to theoretical physics. Born in the antipodes, the stunningly beautiful New Zealand, he naturally had his eyes on nature from early on. His unique intuition, collaborating abbilities, unselfishness and down to earthness (sic) contributed immensly to the revolution of nuclear physics and mapping of the atom through the first third of the 20th century.
Because he rejected to patent any of his inventions and turned down vast amont of funds over the years of his career he never became a rich man, at least not of money. But as true values goes, the real humanitarian richness, he was very wealthy. "We didn't have any money, so we had to think", as his famous quote says.
One can almost feel Rutherford booming character; His burst of laughter, exitement by singing along with the other sound waves he produced wich could interupt labaratory experiments.
All this is thanks to the brilliant portrait presented by Mr. Richard Reeves!
July 17, 2020
The book is concise but gives a somewhat sufficient background about The Prof., Ernest Rutherford. Also, the author talks about some other prominent scientists (students of Rutherford). I would recommend the book to anyone who wishes to have a very concise background of Rutherford and the opinions of some of his companies. The book is constructed in a way makes it enjoyable although it is constructed in a non-chronological manner.
To me, the biggest upset of the book is that the author shies away from talking much about Rutherford's downside. For example, after mentioning a small bad side of Rutherford, the author almost immediately shares what seems his personal opinion by saying something like Rutherford was great otherwise. I think that unnecessary since it projects a superfluous compliment.
To me, the biggest upset of the book is that the author shies away from talking much about Rutherford's downside. For example, after mentioning a small bad side of Rutherford, the author almost immediately shares what seems his personal opinion by saying something like Rutherford was great otherwise. I think that unnecessary since it projects a superfluous compliment.
February 16, 2024
This is a short and lively account of Ernest Rutherford, focusing mostly on his professional work. It is overwhelmingly written from secondary sources, and the author repeatedly refers the reader to the much longer and more detailed biography by Wilson.
The physics is explained decently, but not in extreme depth. This is not the book you need if you are doing a serious investigation in the history of science. I got no sense of the author had thought carefully about Rutherford papers.
On the positive side, the pros is lively. The story is a good one. I did come away, knowing more about both Rutherford demand, and what work he had done. I learned a lot about the scientific culture. What was it like to be at the Cavendish or at Manchester in that era.
The physics is explained decently, but not in extreme depth. This is not the book you need if you are doing a serious investigation in the history of science. I got no sense of the author had thought carefully about Rutherford papers.
On the positive side, the pros is lively. The story is a good one. I did come away, knowing more about both Rutherford demand, and what work he had done. I learned a lot about the scientific culture. What was it like to be at the Cavendish or at Manchester in that era.
August 2, 2020
If you're heavily into science, don't expect too much from this book. If you want to know about a man who, as the title describes, was a 'force of nature' this goes a long way to showing just what Rutherford achieved. At least eleven of his students and associates received the Nobel Prize- the last one getting his 70 years (!) after Rutherford had received his. Although he is often paired with Einstein, Rutherford seems to have disappeared in comparison. Reeves did a masterful job of synthesizing information to make a very presentable package.
February 22, 2021
A refreshing primer on the magnificent mind of Ernest Rutherford. It’s written to be accessible by all laypersons and curious minds. Comprised of exciting quotes, uplifting growths and paralyzing instances, this overview of Rutherford’s life/contributions is simply awe-inspiring. His dedication to tabletop science, paired with lack of patents among his trailblazing discoveries, is reflective of his desire to contribute and encourage further discovery. What a fine, potato farming chap indeed!
April 27, 2019
Quick Read, but loaded with easy to digest information about Rutherford’s discoveries, experiments and outsized impact on the development of 20th Century physics. It also manages to provide a fine portrait of the great man’s personality and generosity of spirit - especially in pursuit of Science.
November 19, 2018
a fascinating guy from the boonies of NZ, crossing the line into modern science. not a detailed book about the atom, but a good balance of science and history.
July 5, 2021
An excellent book about a fascinating scientist, but the editing was a bit loose.
January 8, 2024
Throwback to my “I want to be a nuclear physicist phase”
November 14, 2025
Moe mai rā e ngā mate!
January 12, 2020
Ernest Rutherford is a giant in science, but most Americans are uncertain of his achievements if they have heard of him at all. This is a good biographical account of his life and accomplishments. The writing is a bit uneven, but it is a good, solid biography that explains the science clearly enough for a layman to understand.
April 23, 2013
A brief but fascinating biography of the man who more than any other, opened up the world of the sub-atomic and revealed the inner workings of what was previously considered an irreducible, billiard-like ball. The dawn of nuclear physics starts with men, in the dark, peering through microscopes and watching for flashes of light, the tell-tale sign of a particle deflection. This is so very far from the kind of big science that was spawned to dig even further into the atom and to study it's constituents, and it was Rutherford and his boys at Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, with their hand-built contraptions and blatant disregard for materials handling (!) who made the first, and many of the next steps.
I'd like to read a more comprehensive biography sometime, but this was a great introduction to a man who, for no good reason, isn't a household name like Einstein. Rutherford was a true pioneer, and his work would lead to some of the greatest technological advances of the 20th century.
I'd like to read a more comprehensive biography sometime, but this was a great introduction to a man who, for no good reason, isn't a household name like Einstein. Rutherford was a true pioneer, and his work would lead to some of the greatest technological advances of the 20th century.
June 8, 2020
This book is fun. Almost like looking at a photo album of a family's trip, and hearing them tell about it as you look. Richard Reeves, a political writer, his wife Catherine O'Neill, who has traveled extensively and worked in development projects in many countries, Catherine's sons Colin and Conor, and Richard and Catherine's daughter, 10-year-old Fiona travel from Los Angeles to New York via Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Delhi, Cairo, Jerusalem, Jericho, Berlin and Paris, to mention only some of their stops. Richard's daughter Cynthia, her husband, and their 8-month-old son Ian joined them part way through the trip. Everyone (except Ian) was 'required' to keep a journal along the way, and the book consists of accounts written by each family member. This makes for slightly choppy reading, but all in all the effect I mentioned at the beginning is what comes through. thee are interesting people, with interesting tales to tell.
March 8, 2017
Ernest Rutherford won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1908 for his work on the chemistry of radioactive substances. He showed that one element changes into another, identified alpha and beta radiation and introduced the concept of half-life for radioactive decay. He became Director of the prestigious Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University where his team first split the atom. Although his later work followed on from his earlier, it is considered part of physics instead of chemistry. He could, like Marie Curie, have been awarded Nobel Prizes in both disciplines.
He seems also to have been a thoroughly nice chap and to have encouraged and supported his subordinates instead of dictating to them.
He seems also to have been a thoroughly nice chap and to have encouraged and supported his subordinates instead of dictating to them.
July 4, 2012
Fascinating! Really could not put this down. A good example of a travel diary only this one is done by everyone, all 8 people, on the same trip seeing/writing what matters to them. It made me want to see Jerusalem (a first!), as well as Egypt (NOT a first!) and Hong Kong.
I think part of the reason I liked this is that the perspectives were so different: two adult parents, a 10-year-old, 2 mid-20s single guys, and a couple my age. The part on the overnight train in India reminded me of my overnight trip in Italy about in '85.
I think part of the reason I liked this is that the perspectives were so different: two adult parents, a 10-year-old, 2 mid-20s single guys, and a couple my age. The part on the overnight train in India reminded me of my overnight trip in Italy about in '85.
October 6, 2015
This short biography of Ernest Rutherford is extremely readable, albeit somewhat superficial in its treatment compared to the giant biographical brick produced by Wilson.
This isn't a terrible thing: both books are directed, I think, at different audiences, and both fulfil their brief. Reeves' approach is more an introductory overview of Rutherford's life and physics. It's certainly far more accessible to the general public, being liberally sprinkled with anecdotes to humanise his subject and give some levity to the text.
This isn't a terrible thing: both books are directed, I think, at different audiences, and both fulfil their brief. Reeves' approach is more an introductory overview of Rutherford's life and physics. It's certainly far more accessible to the general public, being liberally sprinkled with anecdotes to humanise his subject and give some levity to the text.
May 28, 2015
This was a really nice shortish biography of the life and work of Ernest Rutherford. Although I was somewhat familiar with some of his more famous experiments, I knew nothing of him as a person, nor did I have any appreciation for the relationships between him and so many of the other internationally important physicists of his day. All of this was well described in this book.
The book was the perfect length to give some real depth to the biography while still being a fairly quick and simple read.
The book was the perfect length to give some real depth to the biography while still being a fairly quick and simple read.
January 15, 2014
This was the first biography of Rutherford that I have read, so all the information was new to me. In addition to information about Rutherford's life, the biographer skilfully enhanced the plain facts with insights into his personality with letters from his students and colleagues. My favorite part was at the end where Rutherford begins to philosophise/theorize about the future of science. It raises the question for me of where does science need to go now?
December 18, 2012
Gran bella biografia del maggiore genio scientifico neozelandese, e mondiale a fianco di Einstein e Bohr. La vita di Rutherford, raccontata attraverso il suo lavoro, le sue scoperte, il suo carattere.
January 15, 2010
I must have missed this science class because I can't ever remember hearing about him. Loved it.
April 23, 2016
Good book; great scientist and seemed like a decent person.
April 5, 2016
Interesting biography about a great scientist.
March 19, 2019
I just loved this book!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews