Physics and Beyond: Encounters and Conversations

Der Teil und das Ganze is an absolutely fascinating book when read between the lines. Heisenberg (best known for his uncertainty principle, also remembered for allegiance to the Nazis) explains, in his own words, why his leadership of the German atom bomb project in WWII was morally defensible. Heisenberg was, in his moment of glory, in the unique position of being the intellectual better of both Niels Bohr & Albert Einstein. He explains this at length in his book, which consists of stilted, imaginary conversations he had or "would have had" with other scientists. He supposedly used his intellect to deliberately mislead the Nazis to thwart their atom bomb project. If you believe this, you'll also believe that he did it in order to "save German youth." It's a complex work in which he comes off as less than courageous. If you've ever felt intimidated by Heisenberg you'll appreciate Lindemann, the legendary mathematician, dismissing him as worthless. Also worth reading are his antiquated views on biology, language, music & philosophy. You'll feel better, because you know more than he did, even tho he formalized quantum mechanics. This book is a good introduction to modern physics. It shows both the reasoning & the cultural context that led to this still-rather-dubious abstraction. Quantum mechanics is more comprehensible when those who invented it are understood. Heisenberg was a great thinker. His antiquated values serve as a reminder that one can be simultaneously brilliant & deluded.