More Than Curious: A Science Memoir

In this riveting memoir, journey alongside a physicist who had the rare privilege of witnessing — and contributing to — some of the most groundbreaking developments in 20th-century science. With firsthand accounts of interactions with legendary figures such as Richard Feynman, S Chandrasekhar, Edward Teller, John Wheeler, Stephen Hawking, Ya B Zel'dovich, James Watson, Julian Schwinger, Fred Hoyle, Martin Rees, Ed Witten, and many others, the narrative offers an insider's view of the minds that shaped our understanding of black holes, gravitational waves, and the universe itself. The author shares unique experiences, including working under Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne and guiding Adam Riess toward a Nobel Prize-winning discovery. Beyond the scientific realm, the memoir delves into collaborations with technology visionaries, military leaders, and US presidents, offering a rich tapestry of stories that intersect with the most influential personalities of our time. This book is an essential read for physicists, astronomers, and anyone fascinated by the frontiers of science and the extraordinary individuals who push those boundaries.

Foreword by Adam G Riess Author's Preface DNA New Americans Lamont To California Altadena Projects Boy Scout High School Getting to Harvard Radio Days Sophomoric Coursework Professors Graduating Livermore Teller Gravitational Waves Kip Black Holes Feynman Chandrasekhar Motivation I.O.T.A. Les Houches Job, No Job Resolution Zel'dovich Princeton Metrics Ticket Out Tenures New Colleagues Jimmy Carter Protvino Academics Academic Politics Committees JASON Green Apples JASON Again Chairman Numerical Recipes Nukes and Spooks Sea Stories The Grove Boxes Tryouts Evangelist Global Grid Far Out Computers Sea Duty Arrived Uprooting Harmony Senior Executive Wen Ho Lee Cerro Grande Hard Drives The Process The Fall Nanos Innocents Abroad Transitions PCAST Obama Alice and Bob Elections Trumped COVID and Beyond Index