Autobiography: science, technology and medicine Books

Book SynopsisThere is no doubt that life is a bogus journey and it does not end well for any of us. However, join eye surgeon Pete Cackett on his eventful pathway through life and career in medicine and learn from his own unfortunate mishaps. Discover how it is possible to make your own journey less bogus, especially if you follow his advice and tips from his 'Hidden Curriculum'. This book is a celebration of life in all its glorious bogusness with plenty of humour and retro pop culture references along the way.This is a medical autobiography and is the first one which directly addresses the medical profession (doctors and medical students) and other allied health professionals. It covers many relevant issues and topics on working as a doctor, including those which many are reluctant to talk about such as private practice. It also includes advice gleaned from over 30 years in medicine as part of a 'Hidden Curriculum'. This guidance can be used by the reader to make changes to their own lives in order to create a happier and more successful existence.

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Book SynopsisDr Wai-Fah Chen — a Chinese-born American academic and widely recognized structural engineering specialist in the field of mechanics, materials, and computing — has certainly led a fascinating life. A well-respected leader in the field of plasticity, structural stability, and structural steel design over the past half-century, he has made major contributions to introduce the mathematical theory of plasticity to civil engineering practice, especially in the application of limit analysis methods to the geotechnical engineering field. Having headed the engineering departments at the University of Hawaii and Purdue University, Chen is a widely cited author and the recipient of several national engineering awards, including the 1990 Shortridge Hardesty Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.This book traces the life journey and reflections of Dr Chen. It presents a remarkable opportunity to understand his personal history and cultural passions: his struggle to achieve the American dream, his life as an eyewitness to the rise of China, and his career path to establish a solid engineering reputation. Presenting his scientific achievements spanning the last 40 years of his career, readers will thus be privy to his personal thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on these events.Table of ContentsThe Civil War; The Wisdom of Class 33; The Voyage to America; My Lifelong Companion -- Linlin; Academic Career at Lehigh; Academic Life at Purdue; My Life Story; Academic Contributions; Life in Rapidly Changing Times; My Journey in the Rise of China; My Students at a Glance; The Teacher -- D C Drucker; Transforming the College; On Higher Education Reform in China; My Adviser and I -- Xila Liu; NTU and I -- Y B Yang; Kawasaki and I -- Toshio Atsuta.

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Book SynopsisWhy are some nations rich and others poor? Why do the citizens of some countries lead a happy, prosperous life while others struggle in terrible want?This book takes the reader through the eventful life journey of one of Singapore's best known economists and educators, Professor Lim Chong Yah. Born in Malacca, the author planted tapioca to feed himself and his family, caught fish in paddy fields and was thrown in jail as a 10-year-old during the war. He fought to win a Commonwealth scholarship to get a decent education, met the love of his life at a Chinese New Year party, became a Professor at two of the best universities in Asia, and went on to write one the most widely-used economics textbooks of the time, Elements of Economic Theory.At 84, Lim Chong Yah is as feisty, indomitable and curious as when he was a small, cheeky boy catching fighting fish in those paddy fields. And he still asks the fundamental question of how each of us can make a difference.

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Book SynopsisWriting a memoir was not only an interesting experience for this Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University, but it also provided him an opportunity to revisit his past with his sons. The author graduated from Cornell in 1953 in Engineering Physics and received his PhD in Physics in 1956 at the University of Illinois. He was then at the General Electric Research Laboratory until 1965, when he moved to Stanford. He has seen his life transform from a physics student to husband, father, author, professor, scoutmaster, von Humboldt scholar, and sometimes musician. His published books include Pseudopotentials, Solid State Theory, Elementary Electronic Structure, and Applied Quantum Mechanics. Here he draws a parallel with the ancient alchemical goal of transforming lead into gold. The reader will find this engaging memoir rich in anecdotes and stories that constitute the various transformations resulting in what may be called a 'golden experience'.

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Book SynopsisWriting a memoir was not only an interesting experience for this Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University, but it also provided him an opportunity to revisit his past with his sons. The author graduated from Cornell in 1953 in Engineering Physics and received his PhD in Physics in 1956 at the University of Illinois. He was then at the General Electric Research Laboratory until 1965, when he moved to Stanford. He has seen his life transform from a physics student to husband, father, author, professor, scoutmaster, von Humboldt scholar, and sometimes musician. His published books include Pseudopotentials, Solid State Theory, Elementary Electronic Structure, and Applied Quantum Mechanics. Here he draws a parallel with the ancient alchemical goal of transforming lead into gold. The reader will find this engaging memoir rich in anecdotes and stories that constitute the various transformations resulting in what may be called a 'golden experience'.

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Book SynopsisS Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Chandra, was one of the foremost scientists of the 20th century. The year 2010 marks the birth centenary of Chandra. His unique style of research, inward bound, seeking a personal perspective to master a particular field, and then pass on to another was so unique that it will draw considerable interest and attention among scholars.As Chandra elucidates in the preface, “The various installments describe in detail the evolution of my scientific work during the past forty years and records each investigation, describing the doubts and the successes, the trials and the tribulations. And the parts my various associates and assistants played in the completion of the different investigations are detailed”. It is indeed a remarkable and rare document, fascinating to read and experience the joys, frustrations and struggles of a creative mind.Table of Contents1943-48: A Happy Period: A History of My Papers on Radiative EquilibriumA"; 1948-60: A Period of Frustration and a Period of Grinding; 1961-69: Years of Adventure. Years of Obligation; 1970-1974: A Fallow Period. A Period of Indecision, Learning Relativity; 1975-85: Years of Effort. The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes Colliding Waves; 1985-90: The Non-Radial Oscillations of Stars in General Relativity; 1990-1995: Newton's Principia; Correspondence Between Chandra and His Father C S Ayyar, His Brother S Balakrishna and Some Other Family Members Close to Chandra; Chandra and David Shoenberg, E A Milne, A S Eddington, Leon Rosenfeld; Chandra and H N Russell, Andre Weil, George Gamow, Harlow Shaplay, John von Neuman;

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Book SynopsisS Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Chandra, was one of the foremost scientists of the 20th century. The year 2010 marks the birth centenary of Chandra. His unique style of research, inward bound, seeking a personal perspective to master a particular field, and then pass on to another was so unique that it will draw considerable interest and attention among scholars.As Chandra elucidates in the preface, “The various installments describe in detail the evolution of my scientific work during the past forty years and records each investigation, describing the doubts and the successes, the trials and the tribulations. And the parts my various associates and assistants played in the completion of the different investigations are detailed”. It is indeed a remarkable and rare document, fascinating to read and experience the joys, frustrations and struggles of a creative mind.Table of Contents1943-48: A Happy Period: A History of My Papers on Radiative EquilibriumA"; 1948-60: A Period of Frustration and a Period of Grinding; 1961-69: Years of Adventure. Years of Obligation; 1970-1974: A Fallow Period. A Period of Indecision, Learning Relativity; 1975-85: Years of Effort. The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes Colliding Waves; 1985-90: The Non-Radial Oscillations of Stars in General Relativity; 1990-1995: Newton's Principia; Correspondence Between Chandra and His Father C S Ayyar, His Brother S Balakrishna and Some Other Family Members Close to Chandra; Chandra and David Shoenberg, E A Milne, A S Eddington, Leon Rosenfeld; Chandra and H N Russell, Andre Weil, George Gamow, Harlow Shaplay, John von Neuman;

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Book SynopsisThis autobiography presents a personal account of the life of a woman academic, over a span of 60 years, from incidents in her childhood, through the education process from primary to pre-university education in British Malaya to two doctorates from University College London. As the story unfolds, it is immediately apparent that her journey in academia has been far from ordinary.She gives credit to the excellent early education she received in Ipoh — a medium-sized town in Malaya — from highly qualified and dedicated nuns and teachers in the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus. Hers was a career carved out by Providence, as she “drifted” to various international centers of learning, depending on the sponsorship of scholarships available at the time. Her drive and passion for chemistry (actually with other attributes as well) allowed her to rub shoulders with some of the best minds in the field. Her association with numerous colleagues, mentors and scientists, unintentionally and unknowingly, laid the groundwork for a sort of global networking, which in turn influenced her career path in subtle yet significant ways. This proved immensely useful later as she balanced the rigorous demands of teaching, research and family. She has shown that it is not impossible for a woman to make a success of family and life in academia.Indeed, her story will encourage young women venturing into science and academia. It also shows that developing countries — more than their developed counterparts — have a good deal to gain from their professional citizens by removing obstacles such as unduly early mandatory retirement and poor support for active researchers. It is a refreshing glimpse into the author's generation in science and academia and a repository of important insights for students and scientists in developing and emerging economies.Table of ContentsEarly Memories; Start of School; On the Move - An Unsettling Two Years; Back to Normalcy; Pre-University and University; In the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur; Postgraduate Studies in London; Beyond the Ph.D. and Chicago; A Beginning in Academia; Sabbatical Leaves; Research Reality in The Home Environment; Overseas Conference Participation and a Bit of Travel; In Service of the Profession; My First Retirement and a Doctor of Science; A Second Retirement and Beyond; Epilogue - Reflections; Appendices:List of Acronyms;Selected List of Journal Publications;Published Conference Abstracts and Proceedings;;

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Book SynopsisThis invaluable book is an autobiographical account of doing scientific research in India. It provides an insight to the perseverance of a scientist from a developing country. His relentless pursuit of excellence in chemistry for more than half a century is a remarkable source of inspiration to young scientists facing modern-day challenges.Table of ContentsThose Days; Pilgrimage for Knowledge: Banaras to Berkeley; In Search of a Place and a Purpose; A Long Journey; Labyrinths of Power; Great Fraternity; Reflections.

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Book SynopsisThis invaluable book is an autobiographical account of doing scientific research in India. It provides an insight to the perseverance of a scientist from a developing country. His relentless pursuit of excellence in chemistry for more than half a century is a remarkable source of inspiration to young scientists facing modern-day challenges.Table of ContentsThose Days; Pilgrimage for Knowledge: Banaras to Berkeley; In Search of a Place and a Purpose; A Long Journey; Labyrinths of Power; Great Fraternity; Reflections.

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Book SynopsisWalter Thirring is the last offspring of an Austrian family of scientists. In this moving narrative, he describes how he survived the Nazi occupation and became instrumental in reconstructing European science.Thirring is one of the last living physicists who worked on the greatest discoveries and with the greatest scientists of the 20th century. He recollects encounters with the old masters like Einstein, Schrödinger, Heisenberg, Pauli and others as well as his collaborations with the present stars like Murray Gell-Mann and Elliott Lieb. The book presents the challenges faced when one of the major paradigm shifts took place, namely, the shift away from atomistic theory and Newtonian physics towards field theory and quantum mechanics. Every step is presented in clear, understandable language which reflects Thirring's extensive experience in training the next generation. Additionally, Thirring describes his fascinating and profound life experiences, growing up under Nazi occupation, serving in the war, striving to establish scientific excellence and in reaching out across the Iron Curtain. A true Renaissance man, he concludes by discussing his love of music, and it is clear that his passion for learning is only matched by his passion for music, a sampling of which can be found at .A work that inspires at every junction and is decisively re-readable, Thirring's autobiography is assuredly a must-have for anyone interested in science, physics and history.Table of ContentsFamily Background/Childhood; Stolen Youth (1938-1945); Training and Education (1945-1959); Master Years (1959 and After); Return to Vienna (1971); What has Scientific Research Achieved?.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of a boy raised up in a village in Poland during World War II, with his father deported to concentration camps throughout the war. Some years after he graduated from medical school, he serendipitously entered the then developing field of dialysis, and he eventually embarked on a career-long practice in the field, where he contributed to the development of a number of new inventions and therapeutic methods.The book contains 13 chapters covering the author's childhood, education, and his career-long contributions to the field of nephrology. The book includes inspirational stories of his patients; the struggles he faced in the course of getting his numerous inventions patented; his research work in the 1990s; his work of teaching and consulting; and not the least, his travels to interesting places unrelated to business. The book concludes with an epilogue summarizing his life, as well as his predictions regarding treatment of chronic renal failure in the future.Table of ContentsChildhood; Medical School and the Beginning of My Career in Krakow; Professional Progress in Bytom; Fellowship in America; Return to Poland: The Lublin Years; Return to Columbia, Missouri, in 1981 and Decision to Stay in the USA; Cooperation with Fellows, Laboratory Visitors, Nurses, and Technicians; Major Research in the 1980s; My Patients who Contributed to Progress or Were an Inspiration to Progress; Patents in Columbia; Major Research in the 1990s; Teaching and Consulting; Vacations and Travels Unrelated to Business.

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the life and times of a physician-scientist over the last half-century. Part One is about the author's struggle with colon cancer and the lessons he learnt from the experience; Part Two is about his life growing up, the pretzel bakery, his family, being educated at Bronx Science, Columbia College, Harvard Medical School, and his medical training at the Boston City Hospital and the NIH. Part Three, the major portion of the book, describes the author's experiences as a practicing physician and hematologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center over 40 years. It also presents his views on what it takes to be a good doctor and to practice good medicine. Part Four is about medicine today, the crisis in medical care and in obtaining affordable health insurance in the United States, and potential solutions to these problems. And finally, it also describes the author's views on how changes in America over the past few decades have transformed our society from that of the meritocracy as known in the early days to that of the present society dominated by financial considerations.Table of ContentsPart 1: The Doctor as Patient: The Big C; Getting Better; Part 2: Growing Up: In the Beginning; College Days; Decisions, Decisions; Basic Training; Part 3: Doing Medicine: A Special Calling; Making Diagnoses; Columbia-Presbyterian Medicine; Becoming a Hematologist; Hematology and Oncology; Doing Hematology; Sickle Cell Disease; Special Patients; Part 4: Medicine Today: The Practice of Medicine; The Business of Medicine; Solutions; Changing Times; The Last Chapter.

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Book SynopsisIN THE NEWSWeimin Wu: pioneer physicist on Chinese science's turbulent past, promising futureTimes Higher Education, 25 February 2016While the first 30 years of new China's scientific development was a self-reliant era marked by the detonations of the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb, and the launch of the first artificial satellite, the second 30 years after the reform and opening up was signified by the introduction of the Internet to China. Weimin Wu is a unique legendary figure whose career spanned both periods. He not only contributed to the bomb and satellite projects, but also sent out the email from China to Switzerland in 1986, which was listed as the first event in the history of China's Internet development. The Tiananmen Square Protest in 1989 changed his life's trajectory, leading him to eventually immigrate to the US. His personal emotional life is also remarkable. With his experiences immersed in both Eastern and Western cultures, Wu came to believe in the convergence theory of social development, which provides a refreshing perspective for the readers. The autobiography records the details of his legendary life stories, from taking pictures with the Chinese leader Mao Zedong, to shaking hands with Deng Xiaoping; from being removed from the Institute of High Energy Physics, to the repealing of his Chinese passport. The story line is full of engaging ups and downs. In that turbulent era, Wu's rich emotional experiences and love stories were also a mirror for the Chinese society, with some details comparable to the plots of suspense novels and movies. The book is well illustrated with many pictures and flows smoothly with a simple writing style. The stories are factual and moving, all too realistic. The author has sincerely revealed his true self to the reader, and at the same time, faithfully described that period of history, giving the reader a grasp on the true workings of history. His comparison of the Eastern and Western cultures, analysis of science and superstition, interpretation of religion and arts, and his 'convergence' theory of social development, are all unique and insightful. This book faithfully tells Weimin's professional and personal life on the cusp and takes readers on a journey to explore true history through an ordinary person's stories.Table of ContentsAn Preemies Back to Life; Wandering Years; Prime Times; The Shadow of First Love, Decade of Disaster; Peak of Life; Historical Turnout; Immigrating to America; Energy Frontiers; Treasure Island Taiwan; Converging Systems;

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Book SynopsisIN THE NEWSWeimin Wu: pioneer physicist on Chinese science's turbulent past, promising futureTimes Higher Education, 25 February 2016While the first 30 years of new China's scientific development was a self-reliant era marked by the detonations of the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb, and the launch of the first artificial satellite, the second 30 years after the reform and opening up was signified by the introduction of the Internet to China. Weimin Wu is a unique legendary figure whose career spanned both periods. He not only contributed to the bomb and satellite projects, but also sent out the email from China to Switzerland in 1986, which was listed as the first event in the history of China's Internet development. The Tiananmen Square Protest in 1989 changed his life's trajectory, leading him to eventually immigrate to the US. His personal emotional life is also remarkable. With his experiences immersed in both Eastern and Western cultures, Wu came to believe in the convergence theory of social development, which provides a refreshing perspective for the readers. The autobiography records the details of his legendary life stories, from taking pictures with the Chinese leader Mao Zedong, to shaking hands with Deng Xiaoping; from being removed from the Institute of High Energy Physics, to the repealing of his Chinese passport. The story line is full of engaging ups and downs. In that turbulent era, Wu's rich emotional experiences and love stories were also a mirror for the Chinese society, with some details comparable to the plots of suspense novels and movies. The book is well illustrated with many pictures and flows smoothly with a simple writing style. The stories are factual and moving, all too realistic. The author has sincerely revealed his true self to the reader, and at the same time, faithfully described that period of history, giving the reader a grasp on the true workings of history. His comparison of the Eastern and Western cultures, analysis of science and superstition, interpretation of religion and arts, and his 'convergence' theory of social development, are all unique and insightful. This book faithfully tells Weimin's professional and personal life on the cusp and takes readers on a journey to explore true history through an ordinary person's stories.Table of ContentsAn Preemies Back to Life; Wandering Years; Prime Times; The Shadow of First Love, Decade of Disaster; Peak of Life; Historical Turnout; Immigrating to America; Energy Frontiers; Treasure Island Taiwan; Converging Systems;

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Book SynopsisNever Lose Your Nerve! chronicles the ups and downs of a Nobel Laureate's life. Professor Alan J Heeger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000 together with Professor Alan G MacDiarmid and Professor Hideki Shirakawa. Filled with humor, this book tells Professor Heeger's story — his love for his family, especially how his wife's love has always been his guiding light, his progress from a young student to an eminent scientist, his passion for the theatre and its impact on his science, his adventures as a successful entrepreneur, and his personal losses. Many think of scientists as risk-adverse individuals but Professor Heeger shows the absolute necessity of risk in research and that scientists are, in fact, risk-addicted, as taking the first, risky step into unfamiliar territory is a step in the right direction towards creativity and great discoveries. Never lose your nerve and you will be rewarded. Life is an exciting adventure and this book clearly demonstrates it, and is for those who are looking to impact others.'Perhaps the greatest pleasure of being a scientist is to have an abstract idea, then to do an experiment (more often a series of experiments is required) that demonstrates the idea was correct; that is, Nature actually behaves as conceived in the mind of the scientist. This process is the essence of creativity in science. I have been fortunate to have experienced this intense pleasure many times in my life.'Alan J HeegerTable of ContentsPerfect Days - and Some Not so Perfect; The First Indication of Creativity; Miracles Actually Happen!; Coming to Acceptance of My Mortality; The Wart and the Penny - The Importance of Uncorrelated Events; "Whither thou goest, I will go"; Passion for a Career as a Physicist; From Novice to Professor; The Pathway to Great Science; "Fire and Rain"; Risk, Creativity and Discovery - Again; The Nobel Prize in Chemistry; The Creativity Continues: High Mobility Polymer Thin Film Transistors; Decision to Go West - Was it the KGB?; Life and Science in Santa Barbara; California Entrepreneur: UNIAX Corporation; The Impact of Theatre in our Lives; Low Cost "Plastic" Solar Cells - A Dream Becoming Reality; The Serial Entrepreneur: Cynvenio Biosystems, CytomX and CBRITE Inc.; The Delicacy of the Creative Mind; The Joy of Life; Final Comments: Mentoring Young Scientists;

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Book SynopsisNever Lose Your Nerve! chronicles the ups and downs of a Nobel Laureate's life. Professor Alan J Heeger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000 together with Professor Alan G MacDiarmid and Professor Hideki Shirakawa. Filled with humor, this book tells Professor Heeger's story — his love for his family, especially how his wife's love has always been his guiding light, his progress from a young student to an eminent scientist, his passion for the theatre and its impact on his science, his adventures as a successful entrepreneur, and his personal losses. Many think of scientists as risk-adverse individuals but Professor Heeger shows the absolute necessity of risk in research and that scientists are, in fact, risk-addicted, as taking the first, risky step into unfamiliar territory is a step in the right direction towards creativity and great discoveries. Never lose your nerve and you will be rewarded. Life is an exciting adventure and this book clearly demonstrates it, and is for those who are looking to impact others.'Perhaps the greatest pleasure of being a scientist is to have an abstract idea, then to do an experiment (more often a series of experiments is required) that demonstrates the idea was correct; that is, Nature actually behaves as conceived in the mind of the scientist. This process is the essence of creativity in science. I have been fortunate to have experienced this intense pleasure many times in my life.'Alan J HeegerTable of ContentsPerfect Days - and Some Not so Perfect; The First Indication of Creativity; Miracles Actually Happen!; Coming to Acceptance of My Mortality; The Wart and the Penny - The Importance of Uncorrelated Events; "Whither thou goest, I will go"; Passion for a Career as a Physicist; From Novice to Professor; The Pathway to Great Science; "Fire and Rain"; Risk, Creativity and Discovery - Again; The Nobel Prize in Chemistry; The Creativity Continues: High Mobility Polymer Thin Film Transistors; Decision to Go West - Was it the KGB?; Life and Science in Santa Barbara; California Entrepreneur: UNIAX Corporation; The Impact of Theatre in our Lives; Low Cost "Plastic" Solar Cells - A Dream Becoming Reality; The Serial Entrepreneur: Cynvenio Biosystems, CytomX and CBRITE Inc.; The Delicacy of the Creative Mind; The Joy of Life; Final Comments: Mentoring Young Scientists;

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