The Dilemmas of an Upright Man is a reissue of the life of Max
Planck by J. L. Heilbron. Hollywood would title it “Triumph and Tragedy”.
Planck’s quantum theory transformed physics, but his career period was rocked by
two world wars. He stayed in Nazi Germany throughout, even suffering one of
Hitler’s attacks of hysterical rage while trying desperately to save what he
could of German science from the chaos. Although he could have escaped, he
wouldn’t leave. Some contemporaries found his obduracy hard to understand.
Published by Harvard University Press, £11.50, ISBN 0674004396.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
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