This is Linus Pauling for the masses: Linus Pauling: A life in Science and Politics by Ted and Ben Goertzel (Basic Books, £18.99/$27.50, ISBN 0 465 00672 8). It’s an easy-to-read, light and not too long survey of the life of a man who was awarded two Nobel Prizes (for chemistry and for peace), just about invented quantum chemistry, and ended his life regarded by many as a crank for his belief in the health benefits of vitamin C. It is a “warts and all” story, but told with no malice and the accent on the positive.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
How to sparkle in conversation with strangers
3
Toy universe shows that time could be a quantum illusion
4
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
5
The last-ditch plan to save coral reefs from utter destruction
6
El Niño has started and the weather could get weird
7
Unpicking endometriosis reveals how it affects more than the pelvis
8
Dinosaur-killing asteroid impact site stayed hot for millions of years
9
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
10
The one film to watch before seeing Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day
