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The Boy Who Played with Fusion: Extreme Science, Extreme Parenting, and How to Make a Star
How an American teenager became the youngest person ever to build a working nuclear fusion reactor
By the age of nine, Taylor Wilson had mastered the science of rocket propulsion. At eleven, his grandmother’s cancer diagnosis drove him to investigate new ways to produce medical isotopes. And by fourteen, Wilson had built a 500-million-degree reactor and become the youngest person in history to achieve nuclear fusion. How could someone so young achieve so much, and what can Wilson’s story teach parents and teachers about how to support high-achieving kids?
In The Boy Who Played with Fusion , science journalist Tom Clynes narrates Taylor Wilson’s extraordinary journey—from his Arkansas home where his parents fully supported his intellectual passions, to a unique Reno, Nevada, public high school just for academic superstars, to the present, when now nineteen-year-old Wilson is winning international science competitions with devices designed to prevent terrorists from shipping radioactive material into the country. Along the way, Clynes reveals how our education system shortchanges gifted students, and what we can do to fix it.
By the age of nine, Taylor Wilson had mastered the science of rocket propulsion. At eleven, his grandmother’s cancer diagnosis drove him to investigate new ways to produce medical isotopes. And by fourteen, Wilson had built a 500-million-degree reactor and become the youngest person in history to achieve nuclear fusion. How could someone so young achieve so much, and what can Wilson’s story teach parents and teachers about how to support high-achieving kids?
In The Boy Who Played with Fusion , science journalist Tom Clynes narrates Taylor Wilson’s extraordinary journey—from his Arkansas home where his parents fully supported his intellectual passions, to a unique Reno, Nevada, public high school just for academic superstars, to the present, when now nineteen-year-old Wilson is winning international science competitions with devices designed to prevent terrorists from shipping radioactive material into the country. Along the way, Clynes reveals how our education system shortchanges gifted students, and what we can do to fix it.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 9, 2015
71 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clynes
4 books22 followersAuthor and photojournalist Tom Clynes travels the world covering the adventurous side of science, the environment, education, and extraordinary personalities for magazines such as National Geographic and Popular Science, where he is a contributing editor. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Nature, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Sunday Times Magazine (London), and many other publications. He is the author of the books "The Boy Who Played With Fusion" and "Wild Planet!" His magazine stories often appear in Houghton-Mifflin’s “Best American...” series of magazine-writing anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 27, 2015
Amazing. The only word I can think of to apply to Taylor, the subject of this book, and also the book itself. This amazing young man not only made a fusion reaction while a teenager, has given 2 TED talks, won an INTEL award, met the President . . . wow. But the author also talked a lot about how his family and his education helped him excel and achieve--and how most bright kids have nothing like this. I can vouch for the sad state of gifted education, and I live in one of the "good" states. When I brought my oldest to kindergarten, reading on a 4th grade level, the teacher was ANNOYED. She asked me why on earth I'd teach a small child to read. She didn't even believe me when I told her I'd have had to blindfold him to stop him. She told me he'd have to do all the same work as the other kids. REALLY? Yes. I found him more than once coloring in "this is the letter M" sheets. Our education system is well known for failing our immigrant, inner-city and vulnerable students. It is also failing our bright ones. Excellent reading. And if you read it, you'll know why I slightly freaked out when one of my sons came to me (after reading a book on science fair geeks, that included Taylor) and asked for stump remover!
September 11, 2015
At the age of fourteen Taylor Wilson built his first working fusion reactor. He and his brother are super intelligent in the upper 1% bracket. Clynes goes into Taylor’s achievements starting at age nine with building his own rockets and fuel. Clynes goes into depth about the public schools Taylor attended in Texarkana to the Davidson Academy for the Gifted at the University of Nevada Reno. He briefly discussed what worked with Taylor did not work with his brother.
His grandmother died of cancer when he was in his teens and Taylor became interested in cancer treatment. Taylor used his reactor to create medical isotopes. He could do this at much less cost than the big cyclotrons or linear accelerator could. He went on to develop a company to produce the isotopes while he was a teenager.
Taylor decided not to attend college as his high school work was at the level of a grad student and he was not interested in a more general education. He already was the recipient of a research grant, so decided to stay with research and development. He was working on developing a small safe fusion reactor unit to produce energy to power cities.
The author discussed the unusual parenting techniques of Taylor’s parents and the need for schools to change their approach to learning. He went on to discuss various learning and teaching techniques to allow all students to achieve more. The book is well written and the science is written in a way everyone can understand it. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. P.J. Ochlon narrated the book.
His grandmother died of cancer when he was in his teens and Taylor became interested in cancer treatment. Taylor used his reactor to create medical isotopes. He could do this at much less cost than the big cyclotrons or linear accelerator could. He went on to develop a company to produce the isotopes while he was a teenager.
Taylor decided not to attend college as his high school work was at the level of a grad student and he was not interested in a more general education. He already was the recipient of a research grant, so decided to stay with research and development. He was working on developing a small safe fusion reactor unit to produce energy to power cities.
The author discussed the unusual parenting techniques of Taylor’s parents and the need for schools to change their approach to learning. He went on to discuss various learning and teaching techniques to allow all students to achieve more. The book is well written and the science is written in a way everyone can understand it. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. P.J. Ochlon narrated the book.
July 23, 2015
The specific details about nuclear fusion, the development of the various equipment, etc were rather too detailed for me. I loved the associated information about highly gifted children though and thought that was a very nice addition to the book.
January 8, 2024
i read this for school and at points it was interesting but the guy the book was about pissed me off so much. i would hate to meet him and if he ever reads this review- don't take it to heart.
2.5 stars. (rounding down to a 2.)
2.5 stars. (rounding down to a 2.)
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August 19, 2020This book needs to reach more people.
October 2, 2024
This is a fascinating, inspiring, and saddening tale of young genius in America. It’s not easy growing up, not even for two highly intelligent boys in a rather will to do home.
April 28, 2020
So extreme parenting means never saying no to your kid?
I guess the recipe for more people like Taylor is comprised of having well off parents who set no limits for their kids. They let him trespass onto private property and steal radioactive materials, for crying out loud.
And he is so nonchalant about the dangers of radiation. Sure, alpha radiation could be stopped by your skin or a piece of paper. But what about all of the radioactive dust and dirt you're breathing in while digging at the mine? Now that emitter is in your body, where that same insignificant alpha radiation is now wreaking unknowable havoc. Radiation safety seemed like such a joke to him at times. Despite the one contamination check mentioned in the book, I really doubt a kid experimenting with radioactive materials managed to completely avoid contaminating his lab, his home, his family and himself.
The author tries to refute the idea that his parents monetary resources and social connections played a major part in Taylor's opportunities. I call major bullshit. He just can't see past the privilege.
I also don't believe the story in the beginning of the book about 9 year old Taylor at the USSRC astounding the docent, the director, historians and experts from across the center. I just don't see that happening and not a single name being recorded. I know some of these big names, and this just doesn't sound realistic. "Hey everybody, quit doing your job and get over here! There's a really smart kid you have to see!"
Also, there should have been some more careful fact checking of the text. Two obvious errors that jumped out at me were; 1. The 2nd and 3rd stages of the Saturn V were NOT solid fueled and 2. The events chronicled in Rocket Boys took place in West Virginia, not Tennessee.
Don't get me wrong, I hope Taylor gets to do amazing things and change the world. He just had a lot of people helping him to get where he is, including the astronaut whose name he couldn't bother to remember.
I guess the recipe for more people like Taylor is comprised of having well off parents who set no limits for their kids. They let him trespass onto private property and steal radioactive materials, for crying out loud.
And he is so nonchalant about the dangers of radiation. Sure, alpha radiation could be stopped by your skin or a piece of paper. But what about all of the radioactive dust and dirt you're breathing in while digging at the mine? Now that emitter is in your body, where that same insignificant alpha radiation is now wreaking unknowable havoc. Radiation safety seemed like such a joke to him at times. Despite the one contamination check mentioned in the book, I really doubt a kid experimenting with radioactive materials managed to completely avoid contaminating his lab, his home, his family and himself.
The author tries to refute the idea that his parents monetary resources and social connections played a major part in Taylor's opportunities. I call major bullshit. He just can't see past the privilege.
I also don't believe the story in the beginning of the book about 9 year old Taylor at the USSRC astounding the docent, the director, historians and experts from across the center. I just don't see that happening and not a single name being recorded. I know some of these big names, and this just doesn't sound realistic. "Hey everybody, quit doing your job and get over here! There's a really smart kid you have to see!"
Also, there should have been some more careful fact checking of the text. Two obvious errors that jumped out at me were; 1. The 2nd and 3rd stages of the Saturn V were NOT solid fueled and 2. The events chronicled in Rocket Boys took place in West Virginia, not Tennessee.
Don't get me wrong, I hope Taylor gets to do amazing things and change the world. He just had a lot of people helping him to get where he is, including the astronaut whose name he couldn't bother to remember.
May 23, 2017
Great book at a fast pace. Lots of good links/citations in the bibliography for gifted student research. Very motivational.
February 20, 2024
valisin selle raamatu raamatukogust üsna umbropsu selle põhjal, et kaanel lubati nii ekstreemset teadust kui ekstreemset lapsevanemlust - ja ma ei pidanud pettuma, siin olid tõesti mõlemad olemas ja väga osavalt oli kokku õmmeldud see lugu.
õieti leidsin siit vähemalt kolm kihti: lugu imelaps Taylor Wilsonist ja tema imelisest perekonnast, kus viieaastasele renditakse sünnipäevaks ekskavaator ja üheksa-aastasel ei keelata kuuris tuumareaktorit ehitada (noh, eks nad vahepeal natuke püüavad ka keelata, aga kiirelt selgub, et selle lapsega ei vii selline asi kuhugi); peoga raketiteadust ja tuumafüüsikat; ja taustal üldisem arutelu üliandekate laste ja noorte kasvatamise ja harimise üle. et ikkagi, MIDA sa teed, kui su põhikooliealine laps tahab raketi ehitada, tuumasünteesini jõuda või vähiravi arendada. mis variante sul üldse on. ja mida peaks tegema ühiskond selliste laste suhtes, mis võimalusi neile pakkuma ja kas/millal/milliseid piire seadma.
ja ongi kõik väga mõtlemapanev. lõpuks taandub see suures osas sellele, et andekus on hariduslik erivajadus ja kuidagi tuleb sellega tegelda; aga õnneks tuuakse välja ka point, et mida personaliseeritum lähenemine ja mida rohkem lasta lapsel oma huvisid järgida ja enda valitud suunas areneda, seda parem, sõltumata sellest, kas lapsel on mingeid eritalente tuvastatud. ja et kui sellised võimalused anda, siis osutuvad tegelikult kõik lapsed andekateks. see lõppjäreldus oli mu jaoks suur kergendus, sest vahepeal läks kogu see lugu justkui väga selles suunas, et tuleb ikkagi kohe varakult sikud lammastest eraldada ja andekaid lapsi eraldi õpetada, riigi ja rahva hüvanguks.
Taylori lugu oli kuni raamatu lõpuni ikka pigem edulugu (14-aastaselt tuumasüntees, keskkooli lõpus ülikooli asemel Peter Thieli stipendium, mitu edukat TED-talki jne). aga 1) ma ei leia mitte kuskilt mitte mingit infot sellest, mis edasi sai! raamat on aastast 2015 ja pärast seda ta nagu ongi... areenilt kadunud?, 2) mind kuidagi kõnetas veel rohkem taustal tiksuv lugu tema nooremast vennast, kes oli KA lapsgeenius, aga oluliselt introvertsem ja alati vanema särava venna varjus. ja see ongi kuidagi kõige vastamatum küsimus, mille see raamat esitab: okei, ühe erivajadusega lapsega saab pühendunud pere hakkama, aga mis siis, kui sul on neid kaks ja vajadused on erinevad?
õieti leidsin siit vähemalt kolm kihti: lugu imelaps Taylor Wilsonist ja tema imelisest perekonnast, kus viieaastasele renditakse sünnipäevaks ekskavaator ja üheksa-aastasel ei keelata kuuris tuumareaktorit ehitada (noh, eks nad vahepeal natuke püüavad ka keelata, aga kiirelt selgub, et selle lapsega ei vii selline asi kuhugi); peoga raketiteadust ja tuumafüüsikat; ja taustal üldisem arutelu üliandekate laste ja noorte kasvatamise ja harimise üle. et ikkagi, MIDA sa teed, kui su põhikooliealine laps tahab raketi ehitada, tuumasünteesini jõuda või vähiravi arendada. mis variante sul üldse on. ja mida peaks tegema ühiskond selliste laste suhtes, mis võimalusi neile pakkuma ja kas/millal/milliseid piire seadma.
ja ongi kõik väga mõtlemapanev. lõpuks taandub see suures osas sellele, et andekus on hariduslik erivajadus ja kuidagi tuleb sellega tegelda; aga õnneks tuuakse välja ka point, et mida personaliseeritum lähenemine ja mida rohkem lasta lapsel oma huvisid järgida ja enda valitud suunas areneda, seda parem, sõltumata sellest, kas lapsel on mingeid eritalente tuvastatud. ja et kui sellised võimalused anda, siis osutuvad tegelikult kõik lapsed andekateks. see lõppjäreldus oli mu jaoks suur kergendus, sest vahepeal läks kogu see lugu justkui väga selles suunas, et tuleb ikkagi kohe varakult sikud lammastest eraldada ja andekaid lapsi eraldi õpetada, riigi ja rahva hüvanguks.
Taylori lugu oli kuni raamatu lõpuni ikka pigem edulugu (14-aastaselt tuumasüntees, keskkooli lõpus ülikooli asemel Peter Thieli stipendium, mitu edukat TED-talki jne). aga 1) ma ei leia mitte kuskilt mitte mingit infot sellest, mis edasi sai! raamat on aastast 2015 ja pärast seda ta nagu ongi... areenilt kadunud?, 2) mind kuidagi kõnetas veel rohkem taustal tiksuv lugu tema nooremast vennast, kes oli KA lapsgeenius, aga oluliselt introvertsem ja alati vanema särava venna varjus. ja see ongi kuidagi kõige vastamatum küsimus, mille see raamat esitab: okei, ühe erivajadusega lapsega saab pühendunud pere hakkama, aga mis siis, kui sul on neid kaks ja vajadused on erinevad?
January 10, 2023
If only there were more books like this one! It was fascinating, educational, very well researched, broad in scope, educational and motivational all at the same time. It is truly amazing that you can learn more about gifted children education from this book than from books dedicated to the subject of gifted children; there are so many analytical angles from the psychological, the motivational to the sociological one, showing how different disciplines identify strategies for better educational outcomes, and have different, but complementary advice to contribute. Of course, solutions to the problems of an educational system cannot be found within a single book, but I feel the book makes valuable contributions to a discussion on education as well. Then there is all the fascinating science you can learn about - basically the entire research trajectory of nuclear medicine from its inception to the early nineties is being speedrun by a child with a home laboratory. Later the laboratory setup is upgraded to the university level, but the initial steps Taylor takes are a great introduction to nuclear energy as a discipline, because they follow roughly the same experimental trajectory as the discipline itself. Taylor did not just make something like an x-ray out of a dental x-ray vacuum tube like a reckless youtuber I know, he contributed to understanding triboluminescence, invented a water-gadolinium detector, and displayed engineering ingenuity in the face of skepticism. The self-advocacy skills he showed rivaled the technical brilliance of his work, making him doubly a rare phenomenon. We owe it to young people not to stereotype them as the "kid genius" archetype and as a society we must not place the detrimental and stressful pressure of having to one-up themselves on these young minds; with that being said, the rare combination of knowledge and showmanship this young man showed the world in his formative years was so impressive so as to easily and seamlessly have become a part of the Big Bang Theory lore, a story unto itself. Truth really can be stranger than fiction. I hope his work on dense plasma focus is fruitful so every hospital can produce its own medical isotopes for a tenth of a million, helping countless lives.
December 10, 2015
The story of an exceptional young man Taylor Wilson who was born into the right set of circumstances that enabled him to keep pushing the boundaries of his interests and abilities. His family, school, and rural town not only allowed Taylor's experimentations with Nuclear Fusion, but encouraged them (he blew stuff up). Sad to say that most kids do not have this supportive environment. The book tells the very remarkable story of Taylor and his family, but also serves as an education text book that is much more interesting than most texts. Taylor’s experience illustrates what could be better in education. While it is true that Taylor and his brother have extreme IQ’s, the book suggests that average kids would flourish if allowed to explore their strengths and interests in the way that Taylor was. Many of today’s teachers are so busy teaching to tests, dealing with behavior problems, or concentrating on the challenged students that gifted or average students can get sidelined. The gifted programs that exist tend to serve the higher income students, even though low-income schools surely have as many gifted students. The author raises the question that I wondered as I read, would Taylor have become “Taylor” if he were born into a different family, school system, or town? Indeed, history shows that gifted students can rise from difficult situations, but how many get beaten down and give up? In a suburb of my Metroplex, one boy who liked to tinker ended up being arrested after bringing one of his projects to school. The teen who became known as “Clock Boy” ended up moving to another country, so the U.S. lost a curious mind. Taylor and his projects were on the radar of Homeland Security a number of times, but Taylor has a charisma that many like him do not and he is able to engage others in his excitement about his research. I loved the quote of a high school classmate who said that Taylor will either grow up to win a Nobel prize or end up on America’s Most Wanted list. I suspect it will be the Nobel prize.
June 27, 2015
Very interesting and well written. Not just a story about a kid playing with fusion, one of the real strengths of the book was the discussion of how to raise a kid that wants to play with fusion. It was a wonderful amalgam of biography about a gifted boy, a history of nuclear physics, and a parenting guide all in one, which may seem daunting, but the author makes it work, and work well! My only complaint is that the books ends, but short of Taylor inventing a time machine, it look like we're just going to have to wait and see what is next.
October 29, 2016
This follows the adventures of the nuclear prodigy Taylor Wilson, but the underlying theme is improving gifted education and helping children excel. The bottom line is that we are failing our most gifted children, but rather than coming off as accusatory, the author encourages improvement. He includes several interviews with experts and cites research showing proven methods for improving gifted education.
It is an amazing story and a thought provoking read. I recommend it for parents and anyone hoping to improve science and gifted education.
It is an amazing story and a thought provoking read. I recommend it for parents and anyone hoping to improve science and gifted education.
March 11, 2025
A fascinating set of topics (nuclear fusion and supportive parenting of gifted children).
However, I started this book in high school and got really bored of the parenting aspect; I was simply not the target audience.
With college behind me, I have more experiences which now enable me to better appreciate this book after picking it back up. Lots of good lessons and interesting insights. However, I did skip the epilogue since it was targeted to parents and I'm a lonely, single, childless 25 y.o.
However, I started this book in high school and got really bored of the parenting aspect; I was simply not the target audience.
With college behind me, I have more experiences which now enable me to better appreciate this book after picking it back up. Lots of good lessons and interesting insights. However, I did skip the epilogue since it was targeted to parents and I'm a lonely, single, childless 25 y.o.
June 28, 2015
Excellent read with the right balance of detail and story
The author does a very good job of balancing the difficult subject matter and Taylor's story of how he has become the expert in Nuclear fusion at such a young age.
The author does a very good job of balancing the difficult subject matter and Taylor's story of how he has become the expert in Nuclear fusion at such a young age.
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September 14, 2015Yet to be re-read, rated, and commented.
March 11, 2016
Deep into the book, the author quotes author and education reform activist Nikhil Goyal "Human beings learn best by exploring or investigating, not by ingesting and swallowing facts and figures. Learning should be messy." If you are sympathetic to this thought, then you will enjoy the book.
Taylor Wilson's pursuit and mastery of nuclear science is a large part of the story, but he hasn't lived long enough, or had enough experience to be the focus of an entire book. In Mr. Clynes well-written book, we come to know Taylor and his family and see the sacrifices they have made. His story becomes an opportunity to discuss in detail what it takes for a child to learn and master complex material and the role that parents, teachers, and mentors can serve in that journey. Along the way, the reader learns about nuclear physics and chemistry. The author's presentation of supporting material and clear explanations enable the reader to come to an appreciation of how messy learning is in the Wilson household.
Mr. Clynes doesn't just quote experts from their published books and articles. In many notable cases he interviews them and brings added insight to their well known published material. Carol Dweck's concept of growth mindset (Mindset: The New Psychology of Success) is brought into the discussion, and she is able to participate in the conversion. On page 89 she discusses the role of setbacks in fueling the learning process. Later on page 177 she reiterates the idea of praising effort, not talent or outcomes, a common theme in her book. Because the author has pulled several prominent thinkers and leaders into the conversation, the book takes on a depth and meaning beyond the exploits of a focused and talented young man.
As Taylor has some great accomplishments in high school we begin to see that he takes on a fixed mindset and becomes afraid of failing. This fear of failure takes its toll on what he is willing to try and how he views others. I wanted to believe that an academically gifted student with understanding parents and supportive mentors would be able to avoid the baggage that comes with being called 'Einstein' and all the accompanying labels that stroke the ego on one hand but subvert the creative and learning process on the other. I can't escape the feeling that these students and their parents have much in common with gifted athletes. The parents want their children to be recognized and to have out of this world achievement, in many cases at the expense of the child (though in all fairness I don't get that sense about Taylor's parents, they come across as caring parents for both their boys). And when the child struggles or isn't keeping ahead of the herd there are excuses to be found, the inflexible math teacher, the stubborn science teacher, the educational system. Somehow the student is just too gifted to have to take responsibility for their inability to make the most of every opportunity.
As Taylor's high school journey nears the end I felt the encouragement and interest in education that was evident in the earlier years give way to a shallow view of and a lack of value for a university education. What Taylor really wanted to do after high school was experiment and invent. Does he skip university like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? Does he skip undergraduate education and go directly to graduate school? He has performed work that is on the level of what a graduate student would do. Mr. Clynes shares great advice from different individuals on the several sides of this argument. Ron Paneuf, the closest thing Taylor had to a thesis advisor gave some stellar advice arguing for him to pursue a well-rounded education "Being exposed to a lot of different people and ideas can be a great multiplier and a growth experience."
Peter Thiel, who made his first fortune as a co-founder of PayPal, offers Taylor a fellowship consisting of a hundred thousand dollars per year to stay out of college for two years. There are other venture capitalists that express interest in funding Taylor's ideas.
Perhaps one of the weakest reasons given for going to college is credited to Chuck Yu, chair of the judges for the ISEF in Pittsburgh 2012 "I think college is important. I think the beer drinking and socializing and chasing girls are as important to development as is the knowledge." The program for ISEF in 2012 doesn't list a Chuck Yu as a judge. Instead there is a Charles J. Vukotich as the Judging Chair, so it isn't clear where this quote originates. The second weak reason given for going to college is attributed to Dudley Herschbach, a Nobel Prize-winning professor at Harvard. This quote, as it is presented in the book, appears to be from Taylor's view of the conversation, as it occurs during a period when only entrants and judges are allowed in the exhibition hall. "Taylor, if you skip college, you'll be missing out on things like parties and girls and football games. And expanding your world and discovering and getting excited about things in whole other fields."
After all that care and effort into training the best and brightest, the arguments for going to university rise little above the party view of binge drinking and sex--at least in the narrative surrounding Taylor. Aren't these the arguments that sink athletic sports programs every few years? Do parents buy into this argument as well?
The family makes a sacrifice to put their two sons in the best schools they can, which leads them to the Davidson Academy of Nevada. This small school opened in 2006 on the campus of the University of Nevada at Reno as a “university school for profoundly gifted students”. The school allows students access to University courses, and in the case of Taylor, he had access to faculty in the physics department and worked in a lab under the mentorship of Ron Paneuf. This section of the book shows how messy and exciting learning can be.
Interestingly, six years into the experiment of running a free public school for profoundly gifted learners the school tinkers with its learning formula. According to Mr. Clynes this tweaking of the learning environment was partly at the behest of parents who were concerned that their children weren't getting into Ivy League and top-tier universities--a key priority for "many of the more ambitious parents." The academy was growing its college-counseling services and placing more emphasis "on a broader, but perhaps blander, education." "Under growing parental pressure, Davidson was moving toward roundedness and putting more focus on 'ticking all the boxes' that college admissions directors were looking for." Unfortunately this subverted the original goal of helping "students pursue their passions 'without putting limits on them'". Using sports as an analogy, this is the parents wanting their high school basketball player to get accepted into a top basketball university to improve their chances of getting drafted onto a professional team. Such a course of action doesn't always benefit the up and coming ball player, though it does benefit his bank account for a year or two, it may be a short lived opportunity. There is an interesting story here about a school that tries to break the education mold and as a result is undervalued by the university educational system. This begs the question, does preparing students for college admission fuel and excite the talent and minds of gifted students? If most schools are not well equipped to handle gifted students, why do we think universities are? Many of the behaviors that these students are allowed to indulge in are learning attributes that would undermine their success at traditional universities--and yet these learning attributes in many ways are what has helped them gain greater understanding and insight into areas that will take their peers years to grasp.
If these children really are the best and the brightest won't they find a way to influence the world for better without having had to attend a US News & World Reports top rated school? Malcolm Gladwell has some interesting arguments concerning school choice in David and Goliath (David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants). Going to a university for name brand recognition can actually stifle a students creativity rather than help it. Imagine Taylor's story if he had gone to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology in Northern Virginia. He would not have been able to tinker for months under the tutelage of a nuclear physicist. And most likely he wouldn't have received the attention that came later as a result of his lab work. Certainly he would have received a "broad education" and perhaps a scholarship or two, but he would not have been the boy who played with fusion.
Learning is messy.
Taylor Wilson's pursuit and mastery of nuclear science is a large part of the story, but he hasn't lived long enough, or had enough experience to be the focus of an entire book. In Mr. Clynes well-written book, we come to know Taylor and his family and see the sacrifices they have made. His story becomes an opportunity to discuss in detail what it takes for a child to learn and master complex material and the role that parents, teachers, and mentors can serve in that journey. Along the way, the reader learns about nuclear physics and chemistry. The author's presentation of supporting material and clear explanations enable the reader to come to an appreciation of how messy learning is in the Wilson household.
Mr. Clynes doesn't just quote experts from their published books and articles. In many notable cases he interviews them and brings added insight to their well known published material. Carol Dweck's concept of growth mindset (Mindset: The New Psychology of Success) is brought into the discussion, and she is able to participate in the conversion. On page 89 she discusses the role of setbacks in fueling the learning process. Later on page 177 she reiterates the idea of praising effort, not talent or outcomes, a common theme in her book. Because the author has pulled several prominent thinkers and leaders into the conversation, the book takes on a depth and meaning beyond the exploits of a focused and talented young man.
As Taylor has some great accomplishments in high school we begin to see that he takes on a fixed mindset and becomes afraid of failing. This fear of failure takes its toll on what he is willing to try and how he views others. I wanted to believe that an academically gifted student with understanding parents and supportive mentors would be able to avoid the baggage that comes with being called 'Einstein' and all the accompanying labels that stroke the ego on one hand but subvert the creative and learning process on the other. I can't escape the feeling that these students and their parents have much in common with gifted athletes. The parents want their children to be recognized and to have out of this world achievement, in many cases at the expense of the child (though in all fairness I don't get that sense about Taylor's parents, they come across as caring parents for both their boys). And when the child struggles or isn't keeping ahead of the herd there are excuses to be found, the inflexible math teacher, the stubborn science teacher, the educational system. Somehow the student is just too gifted to have to take responsibility for their inability to make the most of every opportunity.
As Taylor's high school journey nears the end I felt the encouragement and interest in education that was evident in the earlier years give way to a shallow view of and a lack of value for a university education. What Taylor really wanted to do after high school was experiment and invent. Does he skip university like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? Does he skip undergraduate education and go directly to graduate school? He has performed work that is on the level of what a graduate student would do. Mr. Clynes shares great advice from different individuals on the several sides of this argument. Ron Paneuf, the closest thing Taylor had to a thesis advisor gave some stellar advice arguing for him to pursue a well-rounded education "Being exposed to a lot of different people and ideas can be a great multiplier and a growth experience."
Peter Thiel, who made his first fortune as a co-founder of PayPal, offers Taylor a fellowship consisting of a hundred thousand dollars per year to stay out of college for two years. There are other venture capitalists that express interest in funding Taylor's ideas.
Perhaps one of the weakest reasons given for going to college is credited to Chuck Yu, chair of the judges for the ISEF in Pittsburgh 2012 "I think college is important. I think the beer drinking and socializing and chasing girls are as important to development as is the knowledge." The program for ISEF in 2012 doesn't list a Chuck Yu as a judge. Instead there is a Charles J. Vukotich as the Judging Chair, so it isn't clear where this quote originates. The second weak reason given for going to college is attributed to Dudley Herschbach, a Nobel Prize-winning professor at Harvard. This quote, as it is presented in the book, appears to be from Taylor's view of the conversation, as it occurs during a period when only entrants and judges are allowed in the exhibition hall. "Taylor, if you skip college, you'll be missing out on things like parties and girls and football games. And expanding your world and discovering and getting excited about things in whole other fields."
After all that care and effort into training the best and brightest, the arguments for going to university rise little above the party view of binge drinking and sex--at least in the narrative surrounding Taylor. Aren't these the arguments that sink athletic sports programs every few years? Do parents buy into this argument as well?
The family makes a sacrifice to put their two sons in the best schools they can, which leads them to the Davidson Academy of Nevada. This small school opened in 2006 on the campus of the University of Nevada at Reno as a “university school for profoundly gifted students”. The school allows students access to University courses, and in the case of Taylor, he had access to faculty in the physics department and worked in a lab under the mentorship of Ron Paneuf. This section of the book shows how messy and exciting learning can be.
Interestingly, six years into the experiment of running a free public school for profoundly gifted learners the school tinkers with its learning formula. According to Mr. Clynes this tweaking of the learning environment was partly at the behest of parents who were concerned that their children weren't getting into Ivy League and top-tier universities--a key priority for "many of the more ambitious parents." The academy was growing its college-counseling services and placing more emphasis "on a broader, but perhaps blander, education." "Under growing parental pressure, Davidson was moving toward roundedness and putting more focus on 'ticking all the boxes' that college admissions directors were looking for." Unfortunately this subverted the original goal of helping "students pursue their passions 'without putting limits on them'". Using sports as an analogy, this is the parents wanting their high school basketball player to get accepted into a top basketball university to improve their chances of getting drafted onto a professional team. Such a course of action doesn't always benefit the up and coming ball player, though it does benefit his bank account for a year or two, it may be a short lived opportunity. There is an interesting story here about a school that tries to break the education mold and as a result is undervalued by the university educational system. This begs the question, does preparing students for college admission fuel and excite the talent and minds of gifted students? If most schools are not well equipped to handle gifted students, why do we think universities are? Many of the behaviors that these students are allowed to indulge in are learning attributes that would undermine their success at traditional universities--and yet these learning attributes in many ways are what has helped them gain greater understanding and insight into areas that will take their peers years to grasp.
If these children really are the best and the brightest won't they find a way to influence the world for better without having had to attend a US News & World Reports top rated school? Malcolm Gladwell has some interesting arguments concerning school choice in David and Goliath (David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants). Going to a university for name brand recognition can actually stifle a students creativity rather than help it. Imagine Taylor's story if he had gone to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology in Northern Virginia. He would not have been able to tinker for months under the tutelage of a nuclear physicist. And most likely he wouldn't have received the attention that came later as a result of his lab work. Certainly he would have received a "broad education" and perhaps a scholarship or two, but he would not have been the boy who played with fusion.
Learning is messy.
September 21, 2019
I realized when I was about 3/4 of the way through this book that author Tom Clynes actually had to write this fascinating story for several different audiences. Some readers picked this up to read about the incredible life of Taylor Wilson, some readers were interested in the experiments and discoveries he'd made - those interested in the science and then there are readers like me - interested in the "extreme parenting" that allowed Taylor to follow his dreams and to thrive. As the parent of a very smart child, trying to find a way for a gifted child to succeed within the public school system has been challenging at best.
With all of the audiences that might have an interest in this book - Clynes must have done a huge amount of research. The science that he describes goes far above my head (and I found myself skimming these sections a bit) - but the details of Taylor's family and school life was fascinating. Also - the information he provides on gifted children, the studies done of them and how best to help them learn and interact with the world - was extensive and very interesting.
He also brings up some excellent points regarding our society and how rare it is becoming for children to even get the chance to invent and explore the scientific world.
“The trend away from do-it-yourself science began in the 1980’s, says Bob Parks, author of Makers: All Kinds of People Making Amazing Things in Garages, Basements, and Backyards. As cheap, well-sealed electronic gadgets became easier and cheaper to replace than to repair, interest in building things and taking them apart plummeted.”
“Today you’d be hard-pressed to find a child who is motivated to get under the screen of a smartphone to figure out what makes it light up – and you’d be even hard pressed to find a parent who would encourage it.”
“Those who are motivated to do their own science say that, even as the Internet made it easier to learn how to do things, the hyperfocus on safety and security often made it harder to actually do them.”
“The Porter Chemical Company, maker of the popular Chemcraft labs in a box (each of which had enough liquids, powders, and beakers to conduct more than eight hundred experiments), closed its doors in the 1980s amid liability concerns.”
The story of Taylor Wilson and his life (so far) was so interesting on so many levels. Even imagining what he has accomplished takes one's breath away - even when one leaves out his youth. And as a parent - I kept trying to picture myself in his mother and father's shoes - and saying 'yes' to the things they said yes to - and I just couldn't do it. But for Taylor, and for our world, most likely, it is an excellent thing that they did. They raised a happy, brilliant, potentially game changing person - no mean feat.
Taylor's perspectives on the world, on science, and on his potential future make me want to keep him on my radar as I am sure this is not the last time I will read about him.
“I want to grow a business that allows me to create really useful things. But hopefully I’ll never have to grow up too much,” he says. “Because what makes really good scientists is a healthy disregard for limits and conventions that say you can’t do this or that. I hope I never lose that.”
I hope he never loses that either - and I doubt he will.
With all of the audiences that might have an interest in this book - Clynes must have done a huge amount of research. The science that he describes goes far above my head (and I found myself skimming these sections a bit) - but the details of Taylor's family and school life was fascinating. Also - the information he provides on gifted children, the studies done of them and how best to help them learn and interact with the world - was extensive and very interesting.
He also brings up some excellent points regarding our society and how rare it is becoming for children to even get the chance to invent and explore the scientific world.
“The trend away from do-it-yourself science began in the 1980’s, says Bob Parks, author of Makers: All Kinds of People Making Amazing Things in Garages, Basements, and Backyards. As cheap, well-sealed electronic gadgets became easier and cheaper to replace than to repair, interest in building things and taking them apart plummeted.”
“Today you’d be hard-pressed to find a child who is motivated to get under the screen of a smartphone to figure out what makes it light up – and you’d be even hard pressed to find a parent who would encourage it.”
“Those who are motivated to do their own science say that, even as the Internet made it easier to learn how to do things, the hyperfocus on safety and security often made it harder to actually do them.”
“The Porter Chemical Company, maker of the popular Chemcraft labs in a box (each of which had enough liquids, powders, and beakers to conduct more than eight hundred experiments), closed its doors in the 1980s amid liability concerns.”
The story of Taylor Wilson and his life (so far) was so interesting on so many levels. Even imagining what he has accomplished takes one's breath away - even when one leaves out his youth. And as a parent - I kept trying to picture myself in his mother and father's shoes - and saying 'yes' to the things they said yes to - and I just couldn't do it. But for Taylor, and for our world, most likely, it is an excellent thing that they did. They raised a happy, brilliant, potentially game changing person - no mean feat.
Taylor's perspectives on the world, on science, and on his potential future make me want to keep him on my radar as I am sure this is not the last time I will read about him.
“I want to grow a business that allows me to create really useful things. But hopefully I’ll never have to grow up too much,” he says. “Because what makes really good scientists is a healthy disregard for limits and conventions that say you can’t do this or that. I hope I never lose that.”
I hope he never loses that either - and I doubt he will.
Read
June 16, 2024 The Boy Who Played with Fusion" is an amazing story about an extraordinary boy. The world that unfolds through this story is fascinating and quietly terrifying in a good way you won't be able to walk away from. It delves into extreme science, providing in-depth and specific details. In the book, Tom Clynes recounts Taylor's remarkable journey, from unlikely but promising beginnings in an Arkansas town, to a unique Nevada high school designed for academic superstars, to the present where Taylor is designing devices to prevent terrorists from importing radioactive material and inspiring a new generation to take on the challenges of science. Through Taylor's story, the book explores the challenges facing gifted children and their parents and educators, as well as the burgeoning world of amateur science. It also reveals how our education system shortchanges gifted students, depriving this country of one of its greatest resources.
The author of "The Boy Who Played with Fusion," Tom, claims, "As a parent, I was inspired by Kenneth and Tiffany's often counterintuitive approach to nurturing their children's talents." Taylor made a small star in his garage at the age of 14, invented a nuclear terrorist detector that wouldn't cost thousands of dollars, and went on to create a machine that can make medical products without high expense. He visited the White House and met the president. The book outlines Taylor's whole life, changing passions and high dreams.
Taylor meets many people on his journey, and everyone says they were glad they met Tyler and knew he was going to dream big and create something to save the world. My favorite part about Taylor's story is when he makes homemade fireworks, which I love to do. One time it went wrong and they blew up on the ground, making their neighbors unhappy, but Taylor persisted in his passion. A section of "The Boy Who Played with Fusion" describes another book that Taylor read about a nuclear physicist whose experiments went wrong, which motivated Taylor to make one that works. One of my favorite quotes is right on the front of the book; it says "extreme science, extreme parenting, and how to make a star.
The Boy Who Played with Fusion is a more advanced book written for adults. It contains a lot of complicated words and references but doesn't exactly explain them. Not many kids know about a Geiger counter, which the book mentions without explaining what it is. Tom Clynes took a lot of time to record the scientific part of Tyler's story and put a lot of detail into explaining the fusion reactors and the inventions he made.
The Boy Who Played with Fusion doesn't just focus on Tyler's story. It also includes smaller stories about things Tyler learned throughout his life. For example, it summarizes a book called "The Fusion Cowboy," which takes up around two chapters. Then, it moves on to other parts of his life where interesting events occurred.
After reading "The Boy Who Played with Fusion," I gained a fresh perspective on nuclear fusion and a deeper understanding of its mechanisms. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in science and captivating personal narratives.
The author of "The Boy Who Played with Fusion," Tom, claims, "As a parent, I was inspired by Kenneth and Tiffany's often counterintuitive approach to nurturing their children's talents." Taylor made a small star in his garage at the age of 14, invented a nuclear terrorist detector that wouldn't cost thousands of dollars, and went on to create a machine that can make medical products without high expense. He visited the White House and met the president. The book outlines Taylor's whole life, changing passions and high dreams.
Taylor meets many people on his journey, and everyone says they were glad they met Tyler and knew he was going to dream big and create something to save the world. My favorite part about Taylor's story is when he makes homemade fireworks, which I love to do. One time it went wrong and they blew up on the ground, making their neighbors unhappy, but Taylor persisted in his passion. A section of "The Boy Who Played with Fusion" describes another book that Taylor read about a nuclear physicist whose experiments went wrong, which motivated Taylor to make one that works. One of my favorite quotes is right on the front of the book; it says "extreme science, extreme parenting, and how to make a star.
The Boy Who Played with Fusion is a more advanced book written for adults. It contains a lot of complicated words and references but doesn't exactly explain them. Not many kids know about a Geiger counter, which the book mentions without explaining what it is. Tom Clynes took a lot of time to record the scientific part of Tyler's story and put a lot of detail into explaining the fusion reactors and the inventions he made.
The Boy Who Played with Fusion doesn't just focus on Tyler's story. It also includes smaller stories about things Tyler learned throughout his life. For example, it summarizes a book called "The Fusion Cowboy," which takes up around two chapters. Then, it moves on to other parts of his life where interesting events occurred.
After reading "The Boy Who Played with Fusion," I gained a fresh perspective on nuclear fusion and a deeper understanding of its mechanisms. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in science and captivating personal narratives.
February 1, 2024
This was a book review for my school
The Boy Who Played With Fusion Review
I read The Boy Who Played With Fusion. Tom Clynes wrote this book and is a magazine writer mainly for National Geographic and Popular Science but has also been featured in many others. He quotes that he found Taylor and his story at a bleak point in his life, where his marriage had fallen apart. He says that he had devoted a lot of his life to writing about devastating things that were happening, like epidemics and eco-mercenaries. Taylor's story was like a little bright light in his career, showing him hope. Tom Clyne's style of writing is very much informal, explaining a lot of the science concepts. This is definitely helpful for people who don’t know about quantum physics and nuclear fusion, which I assume most people don’t. The Boy Who Played With Fusion is not only about Taylor's story. It also includes many tips and explanations about young people, parenting, and how to nurture their talents. This was not very helpful for me but it was still interesting to learn a bit about the struggles of parenting. Taylor was twenty-one years old when the book was published but when Tom Clynes met him he was 14. When Taylor was five he wanted to be a construction worker but he was always really shy. But when he put on his little hard hat and was directing the neighborhood traffic, he was never shy. Right before Taylors' ninth birthday, he gave up the hard hat and announced that he was going to be an astronaut. He begged his dad to go to the NASA Space Complex in Huntsville, Alabama, and read every single book he could find about space and rockets. He was experimenting with his own rocket fuels, making them go higher, faster, and even spout colored smoke. But when he turned ten, that all changed. His grandma took him to a local bookstore and he found a book called The Radioactive Boy Scout. This would inspire him to eventually research new ways to make radioactive medical isotopes when his grandma was dying because of cancer, build his own nuclear fusion reactor and become the youngest person to do it and one day create a revolutionary scanner for illegal nuclear items. This was shared with the president at the time, Barack Obama. I would give this book a five out of five because it was one of the most inspirational and interesting books I have ever read. Taylor Wilsons journey was incredible and it really made me want to go build and research more about fusion reactors! Most of you aren’t parents but if I was posting this online I would definitely say that it was a must read even as a parent, maybe even more towards parents. It includes lots of tips and guidance on how to make your child a star and a genius. I would recommend this book to anybody who is ten or older because of some complicated science concepts and some minor inappropriate language.
The Boy Who Played With Fusion Review
I read The Boy Who Played With Fusion. Tom Clynes wrote this book and is a magazine writer mainly for National Geographic and Popular Science but has also been featured in many others. He quotes that he found Taylor and his story at a bleak point in his life, where his marriage had fallen apart. He says that he had devoted a lot of his life to writing about devastating things that were happening, like epidemics and eco-mercenaries. Taylor's story was like a little bright light in his career, showing him hope. Tom Clyne's style of writing is very much informal, explaining a lot of the science concepts. This is definitely helpful for people who don’t know about quantum physics and nuclear fusion, which I assume most people don’t. The Boy Who Played With Fusion is not only about Taylor's story. It also includes many tips and explanations about young people, parenting, and how to nurture their talents. This was not very helpful for me but it was still interesting to learn a bit about the struggles of parenting. Taylor was twenty-one years old when the book was published but when Tom Clynes met him he was 14. When Taylor was five he wanted to be a construction worker but he was always really shy. But when he put on his little hard hat and was directing the neighborhood traffic, he was never shy. Right before Taylors' ninth birthday, he gave up the hard hat and announced that he was going to be an astronaut. He begged his dad to go to the NASA Space Complex in Huntsville, Alabama, and read every single book he could find about space and rockets. He was experimenting with his own rocket fuels, making them go higher, faster, and even spout colored smoke. But when he turned ten, that all changed. His grandma took him to a local bookstore and he found a book called The Radioactive Boy Scout. This would inspire him to eventually research new ways to make radioactive medical isotopes when his grandma was dying because of cancer, build his own nuclear fusion reactor and become the youngest person to do it and one day create a revolutionary scanner for illegal nuclear items. This was shared with the president at the time, Barack Obama. I would give this book a five out of five because it was one of the most inspirational and interesting books I have ever read. Taylor Wilsons journey was incredible and it really made me want to go build and research more about fusion reactors! Most of you aren’t parents but if I was posting this online I would definitely say that it was a must read even as a parent, maybe even more towards parents. It includes lots of tips and guidance on how to make your child a star and a genius. I would recommend this book to anybody who is ten or older because of some complicated science concepts and some minor inappropriate language.
August 10, 2019
This is a fascinating inside peek into unbelievable journey of Taylor Wilson, a child prodigy who by age of fourteen built his own Nuclear Fusion Reactor, becoming the youngest to achieve this feat.
Not only that, he also figured out rocket propulsion, created isotopes for cancer treatment & invented a unique radiation sensor for preventing nuclear proliferation, all in his teens.
What I took away, from the book is, how most of us, in comparison have such low expectations from ourselves. My biggest ambition at that age was only to score high enough marks and then to get into engineering course. Only, if I had known that, that it is perfectly fine to have even more audacious expectations from ourselves, my story would perhaps be different as well. This tale is a living proof of every cliched inspirational 'quote' asking us to reach out for impossible.
The book also tries to assess, the question of nature vs. nurture. Are brilliant kids born or are they created with right parenting? The book mentions approach of Taylor's parents which may have played a part and lessons for readers when its onto them to unleash potential of their kids.
Author also hints briefly at the dark side of achieving fame and success at an early age. Even some one as brilliant and sorted as Taylor Wilson has hard time avoiding arrogance and becoming full of himself. This success also has implications for their tight knit family, which author explores with sensitivity. The question remains, is it necessarily a good thing to encourage miraculously talented kids attain their full potential, or is it better to make them to enjoy their childhood as a 'normal' kid.
The book is well written, inspiring and insightful - I have taken lessons from the book for parenting, for achieving more at work, putting heart & soul into my passions and above all prioritizing my family and friends.
Would be happy to know your views and thoughts as well.
Not only that, he also figured out rocket propulsion, created isotopes for cancer treatment & invented a unique radiation sensor for preventing nuclear proliferation, all in his teens.
What I took away, from the book is, how most of us, in comparison have such low expectations from ourselves. My biggest ambition at that age was only to score high enough marks and then to get into engineering course. Only, if I had known that, that it is perfectly fine to have even more audacious expectations from ourselves, my story would perhaps be different as well. This tale is a living proof of every cliched inspirational 'quote' asking us to reach out for impossible.
The book also tries to assess, the question of nature vs. nurture. Are brilliant kids born or are they created with right parenting? The book mentions approach of Taylor's parents which may have played a part and lessons for readers when its onto them to unleash potential of their kids.
Author also hints briefly at the dark side of achieving fame and success at an early age. Even some one as brilliant and sorted as Taylor Wilson has hard time avoiding arrogance and becoming full of himself. This success also has implications for their tight knit family, which author explores with sensitivity. The question remains, is it necessarily a good thing to encourage miraculously talented kids attain their full potential, or is it better to make them to enjoy their childhood as a 'normal' kid.
The book is well written, inspiring and insightful - I have taken lessons from the book for parenting, for achieving more at work, putting heart & soul into my passions and above all prioritizing my family and friends.
Would be happy to know your views and thoughts as well.
March 26, 2019
When I was about 12 I was completely engrossed with a chemistry set which meant I could experiment with fizz, bangs and colour changes. Not quite as extreme as nuclear or radio active chemistry but I could understand the motivations for a young Taylor Wilson.
This is an astonishing account of how a schoolboy was able to obtain 'homemade fusion' using materials found around. Admittedly he had to travel to get some of these materials and it was amazing how easy it was to find and transport radio active substances.
Not only does the book record how the nuclear fusion was eventually done by Taylor, it points out how important family and parental interaction helps a child genius progress in their education.
There are problems in having a child genius in a family which the book points out, amongst them the effect it has on siblings with in the family. The author makes the point about the funding in education for the child prodigy and how it should be increased and targeted. This is repeated throughout by Clynes to the point it is overdone and the impact is lost on the reader.
There is the question which isn't really resolved is a child genius better off to go to college with their age group or to enter a PhD environment which could fire their minds and not become bored?
Can a child make the decision on their own?
This is a book that follows Taylor from about 11-18, a follow up when Taylor is in his forties would tell us a lot more about how being a child genius affects their life..
This is an astonishing account of how a schoolboy was able to obtain 'homemade fusion' using materials found around. Admittedly he had to travel to get some of these materials and it was amazing how easy it was to find and transport radio active substances.
Not only does the book record how the nuclear fusion was eventually done by Taylor, it points out how important family and parental interaction helps a child genius progress in their education.
There are problems in having a child genius in a family which the book points out, amongst them the effect it has on siblings with in the family. The author makes the point about the funding in education for the child prodigy and how it should be increased and targeted. This is repeated throughout by Clynes to the point it is overdone and the impact is lost on the reader.
There is the question which isn't really resolved is a child genius better off to go to college with their age group or to enter a PhD environment which could fire their minds and not become bored?
Can a child make the decision on their own?
This is a book that follows Taylor from about 11-18, a follow up when Taylor is in his forties would tell us a lot more about how being a child genius affects their life..
March 20, 2025
A really interesting story about a phenomenally talented boy, but written a little poorly, in my opinion. There was far too much deviation from the subject which seemed to me to be unnecessary padding, and also plenty of instances of repetition which I also thought off had made it through the editing process. Along with a spelling mistake or two, and some grammatical errors, it didn't feel to me like a well-produced book.
At its core, it's a history of how the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion did so, and his reasons why. This should make for an interesting book, but with all the tangents taken, such as explaining about climate change (something I feel you can assume the reader has a basic knowledge of, given they're reading a popular science book), it feels unfocused. There's also inputs and quotes from a vast number of people who are sometimes only referred to once, as they have mentioned something in a book which I assume the author had read and wanted to include. This makes it read like an article - not surprising, for a journalist like the author, but also not the right tone for a book.
The story itself is interesting enough to warrant a higher rating, but the style of writing and all the issues mean it can't be higher than a 2, for me.
At its core, it's a history of how the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion did so, and his reasons why. This should make for an interesting book, but with all the tangents taken, such as explaining about climate change (something I feel you can assume the reader has a basic knowledge of, given they're reading a popular science book), it feels unfocused. There's also inputs and quotes from a vast number of people who are sometimes only referred to once, as they have mentioned something in a book which I assume the author had read and wanted to include. This makes it read like an article - not surprising, for a journalist like the author, but also not the right tone for a book.
The story itself is interesting enough to warrant a higher rating, but the style of writing and all the issues mean it can't be higher than a 2, for me.
January 8, 2017
This book is chock-full of all sorts of science-y experiments and topics- it's not just a book about some show off kid that built a nuclear fusor. I loved this book because it was really interesting to think that that sort of thing was even possible! A 14 year old fusing atoms together? Anybody who likes explosions and wants to understand how things work (like fireworks, or how a-bombs work, etc) should read this book, because it not only gives you a sense of all the opportunities in our world today but it also gives one a sense of what projects are going on in our world today. Everything from hulking machines that use nuclear fusion to produce energy to how medical isotopes work, it is in that book. Even if you don't like that sort of thing, this is a great read because it really opened my eyes to what sorts of opportunities I had- even ones that I had no idea existed! This is a great book, in my opinion- if you can't already tell.
September 4, 2017
This is a great book for educators to read in order to understand the needs of highly gifted students. Administrators who question the need to diversify educational programs for the profoundly gifted should also read this book.
The author recounts the early life of Taylor Wilson, a profoundly gifted child who was very science oriented. He developed a star in a box, yes, a star like the sun - not a celebrity! He became an expert in fusion by age 14.
The book also focuses on how his parents raised humans his profoundly gifted brother, Joey. Basically, they did everything they could. Not necessarily spoiling them, but doing what they could to fuel and feed their interests. Parents would also enjoy reading this book as Taylor's parents are not scientists, but regular average people who work day to day to make ends meet, and they were able to feed Taylor's desires to learn.
I highly recommend this book!!!!
The author recounts the early life of Taylor Wilson, a profoundly gifted child who was very science oriented. He developed a star in a box, yes, a star like the sun - not a celebrity! He became an expert in fusion by age 14.
The book also focuses on how his parents raised humans his profoundly gifted brother, Joey. Basically, they did everything they could. Not necessarily spoiling them, but doing what they could to fuel and feed their interests. Parents would also enjoy reading this book as Taylor's parents are not scientists, but regular average people who work day to day to make ends meet, and they were able to feed Taylor's desires to learn.
I highly recommend this book!!!!
June 26, 2021
It's best to set expectations before you start out reading this book: this is an extended profile of a minor by a pop-sci magazine author. It's not hard-hitting investigating journalism trying to get down to the bottom of a story. This book is ultimately an interesting ride following the scientific growth of an undoubtably intelligent teenage scientist who built a fusion reactor in high school.
The author cuts away multiple times throughout the story to discuss topics such as parenting, growth mindset, gifted education along the way. I had some problems with these interludes as they felt unearned. The author doesn't seem to be an expert on any of the subjects and quotes a good amount of studies which seem to have been casualties of the great replication criss.
Ultimately Taylor Wilson's story is an interesting even if this book was treated a bit like an extended fluff piece. The single most compelling part of this book was the author's focus on Taylor's brother and the effects of living in a sibling's shadow. I'll be interested to see how this story progresses down the road
The author cuts away multiple times throughout the story to discuss topics such as parenting, growth mindset, gifted education along the way. I had some problems with these interludes as they felt unearned. The author doesn't seem to be an expert on any of the subjects and quotes a good amount of studies which seem to have been casualties of the great replication criss.
Ultimately Taylor Wilson's story is an interesting even if this book was treated a bit like an extended fluff piece. The single most compelling part of this book was the author's focus on Taylor's brother and the effects of living in a sibling's shadow. I'll be interested to see how this story progresses down the road
December 4, 2017
Inspiration and more...
I had a stack of books sitting on the floor - you know how it is, never enough bookshelves, and happened to grab this one among a few others to flip through. I was looking for information on fusion (and the sun) in general (picking up Sun in a Bottle and A Piece of the Sun: The Quest for Fusion Energy, too). I glimpsed at The Boy Who Played with Fusion and read a few paragraphs, then never put it down. Very fun, quick read, and extremely inspirational. A hidden surprise was the coverage of the Davidson's. I had the pleasure of working with Jan in the past and was proud to be a part of her dream and team back then. I was happy to see both Bob and Jan are doing well and continuing to inspire young minds like Taylor.
This book is user-friendly and packed with anecdotes that will make you smile. Written for both young minds and adults alike. A terrific story.
I had a stack of books sitting on the floor - you know how it is, never enough bookshelves, and happened to grab this one among a few others to flip through. I was looking for information on fusion (and the sun) in general (picking up Sun in a Bottle and A Piece of the Sun: The Quest for Fusion Energy, too). I glimpsed at The Boy Who Played with Fusion and read a few paragraphs, then never put it down. Very fun, quick read, and extremely inspirational. A hidden surprise was the coverage of the Davidson's. I had the pleasure of working with Jan in the past and was proud to be a part of her dream and team back then. I was happy to see both Bob and Jan are doing well and continuing to inspire young minds like Taylor.
This book is user-friendly and packed with anecdotes that will make you smile. Written for both young minds and adults alike. A terrific story.
October 23, 2020
This one is a keeper!
Incredible story, superb storytelling, and beautifully narrated audiobook. This one is truly a masterpiece and one that I will refer back to time and time again.
The author finishes with this quote "Taylor built a star, then he became one. Now he's lighting up the world." That sums up the details of the book that everyone should take the time to hear/read from start to finish. Buy this one, it's worth more than they are asking. The value is in the lessons of parenting;--considering the sibling dynamic as well.
The only critique that I have for this is that it should be whispersynced with the book. Both are available and I purchased the book after hearing it in full, but they need to be synced. I personally prefer to highlight takeaway word segments than to bookmark audio clips.
Incredible story, superb storytelling, and beautifully narrated audiobook. This one is truly a masterpiece and one that I will refer back to time and time again.
The author finishes with this quote "Taylor built a star, then he became one. Now he's lighting up the world." That sums up the details of the book that everyone should take the time to hear/read from start to finish. Buy this one, it's worth more than they are asking. The value is in the lessons of parenting;--considering the sibling dynamic as well.
The only critique that I have for this is that it should be whispersynced with the book. Both are available and I purchased the book after hearing it in full, but they need to be synced. I personally prefer to highlight takeaway word segments than to bookmark audio clips.
June 24, 2017
A story of a gifted boy who became a gifted teenager and young adult and ended up being well-adjusted. Thanks to just the right combination of parents and other mentors and a private school he was able to fulfill his dream of creating fusion by age 14. This book is packed with physics and other science terms which I am not familiar with but that didn't stop me from understanding what he was trying to accomplish and the many discoveries he made for the betterment of our world. I couldn't explain it to you-but I understood! There also was an underlying conversation throughout the book about parenting and educating gifted children and what research has shown. All in all, I think my time was well spent listening tho this book!
January 26, 2018
Although I lived the underlying story about Taylor and his family, I think this book suffered a bit from trying to be too many things at once. It's a nuclear physics primer, an advocate for better gifted education, a parenting manual, the story of Taylor and his family, and a few other jaunts here and there. I think the book could have used a bit more focus and exploration into some of the struggles the family faced, and maybe a bit less of the nitty gritty of sub atomic particles. overall, though, a good read and a good reminder that as parents our job is to listen to our kids and help them fly, even if that looks a little different than we might think.
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