Description

Fred Hoyle's prolific career spanned more than 60 years. During that time, he made major contributions in fundamental areas of astronomy. His most important work focused on the evolution of stars, the origin of the chemical elements, the nature of gravitational forces, and the origin of life on Earth. But he is perhaps best remembered for his rare talent as a science communicator. He hosted one of the first radio programs that focused on science and then moved his show to the new medium of television, making him a household name long before such science luminaries as Patrick Moore or Carl Sagan rose to prominence.

A man of ceaseless intellectual activity, Hoyle pushed the boundaries of our knowledge by being both right and wrong. When he was right, his contributions were of Nobel Laureate quality. Indeed, even when he was wrong, he stimulated his exasperated opponents to work that much more furiously to produce damning evidence against him, thus yielding additional discoveries and leading to more knowledge on a topic. Simon Mitton's sensitive biography tells the story of Hoyle s life as well as his science. Structuring each chapter around an intellectual puzzle, the science is framed within the context of the knowledge available to Hoyle at the time. Drawing on his personal knowledge of Fred Hoyle, Mitton vividly recreates the many public clashes between Hoyle and his critics, and at the same time he clearly explains the science underlying the conflict.

Reviews

"Hoyle was one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century and also published more than 50 works of fiction and nonfiction. However, Simon Mitton has thrown new light on Hoyle's life with a biography that is more structured, more balanced, more complete and arguably more insightful than Hoyle's own account."
--Simon Singh in Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2005

"The author s lively writing and extensive research bring to life this important figure in the development of modern astronomy."
-- Publishers Weekly, February 7, 2005

"Mitton (Ph.D., Cambridge) sheds light on both the scientist and the science through research and his own experiences with Hoyle's colleagues, students, and the man himself. ... This excellent biography brings Hoyle to life while explaining, in language clear enough for the amateur enthusiast, the work that made him great."
-- Library Journal, March 15

"[The] vivid recollections [of Hoyle s associates] contribute to the richness of this biography. ... Drawing on his personal knowledge of Fred Hoyle, Mitton in Conflict in the Cosmos vividly and sensitively recreates the many public clashes between Hoyle and his critics, and at the same time he clearly explains the science underlying the conflict."
-- SirReadaLot.org

"An elegantly written and thoroughly documented biography of a great and immensely influential scientist who was a fascinating personality as well."
-- Sir Martin Rees, author of Our Final Hour and Our Cosmic Habitat

"Fred Hoyle was a towering figure in 20th century astronomy and cosmology, and one of the most successful scientific communicators of his time. This is the first comprehensive exploration of both the science and the man, told by one of the few living writers equally familiar with both. It is a rich and complex story related with confidence and authority, allowing general readers to better understand why science is too fascinating not to be shared more broadly throughout our culture."
-- Lawrence M. Krauss, author of The Physics of Star Trek and Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth . . . And Beyond

"An exhaustive biography..."
-- Curled Up With A Good Book

Author Biography

Simon Mitton graduated in physics at Oxford University and subsequently completed a doctorate in radio astronomy at Cambridge University, supervised by Hoyle s archrival, Sir Martin Ryle. Hoyle awarded him a visiting fellowship at the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy. After Hoyle s 1972 resignation, Mitton was appointed as the graduate administrator of the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge. During his tenure of that position he became acquainted with many of Hoyle s associates, whose vivid recollections contribute to the richness of this biography. Simon Mitton has already written or edited 10 books on contemporary astronomical themes.

The author is a Fellow of St. Edmund s College, Cambridge. He has served as a council member of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is a member of the International Astronomical Union.

Authoring Organizations

• Joseph Henry Press (JHP)
• More Titles from JHP

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