The only possible valid criticism of this book is that it should be much longer.George Gamow had many gifts; among them was explaining technical subjects in a manner anyone could understand.
In this book, he discusses a wide range of topics: number theory, entropy, relativity, genetics, physics and cosmology.
His considerable artistic skill is demonstrated throughout, with sketches and diagrams often taking the place of equations that might intimidate many readers.
Gamow was no mere popularizer of scientific subjects. In 1931, Gamow was elected a corresponding member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Gamow, at age 28, was one of the youngest.
Gamow was also involved in the construction of the first cyclotron in Europe.
Gamow made two unsuccessful attempts to defect by water crossings, once across the Black Sea to Turkey and another from Murmansk to Norway. Gamow and his wife eventually defected while attending a conference in Brussels.
Gamow was also a close friend and colleague of the likes of Einstein, Fermi, and Bohr.
This is a nice book to carry around (note the slightly tattered cover)-it is worth several readings, and new insights emerge every time.
This book, along with others by Gamow, is available from Dover Publications.
