A great read for so many reasons; here are my top 3:
– An unique view to one of the most defining projects of our era – Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project, as well as an inside view to the forefront of science over the past generation.
– A case study in how to work from within to help develop and advance the systems of our understanding, while often going against the current of prevailing thought.
– It reinforces the humanity of the scientist – as smart as he is, throughout the book his humanity is emphasized over his objectivity, yet the fruits of his life are the same.
I absolutely loved the chapter on teaching in Brazil, and the difference between teaching principles and memorizing facts, giving much more importance to understanding principles – understanding principles helps us advance knowledge and society, memorizing facts does not. Would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in science, influential historical figures, or thought and meta-cognition.