In Our Own Image

Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Perception and Symmetry. 3. Johannes Kepler. 4. Buckminster Fuller. 5. Linus Pauling. 6. Aleksandr Kitaiigorodskii. 7. Desmond Bernal. 8. Pierre Curie. Epilogue. Index.

`István and Magdolna Hargittai have written a dazzling book on symmetry in all its complex and beautiful variety, especially on its central role in today's science. ... It is a delight to read and ponder, sure to become a classic reference on a concept as fundamental to physics and chemistry as it has always been to aesthetics.' Martin Gardner, Formerly of Scientific American, author of The New Ambidextrous Universe `The book departs from the standard types of history in that it brings in the personalities of the people who have made great advances in our understanding of structures, inorganic, organic, and biological The stories bring out the personal side of scientific discoveries with the hurdles, obstacles, side steps, and controversies; and this makes for a most lively book quite different from a more conventional academic history of the subjects tackled. ... The book can appeal to a wide range of readers who are guaranteed not to find a dull page.' Sir Aaron Klug, Nobel Laureate, President of the Royal Society (London) `A book which should fascinate every reader.' Torvald Laurent, Chairman of Trustees, Nobel Foundation, Stockholm `An informative and highly original account ... in terms of the people who made the big conceptual advances. Kepler, Fuller, Pauling, Bernal, Curie, Kroto ... all come to life in this unusual and effective synthesis of science and biographical journalism. The authors' love of their topics shines through on every page. Marvelous!' Ian Stewart, Scientific American `István and Magdolna Hargittai have written a richly textured and entertaining work based on a personal curiosity about the role of symmetry in life, and particularly in the sciences. ... The topics are as varied as the science itself. Anyone reading it will never again look on science, art, or nature with quite the same eyes.' Sir John Cornforth, Nobel Laureate, University of Sussex, England `They follow, in fascinating detail, lines of development where the

`István and Magdolna Hargittai have written a dazzling book on symmetry in all its complex and beautiful variety, especially on its central role in today's science. ... It is a delight to read and ponder, sure to become a classic reference on a concept as fundamental to physics and chemistry as it has always been to aesthetics.'
Martin Gardner, Formerly of Scientific American, author of The New Ambidextrous Universe
`The book departs from the standard types of history in that it brings in the personalities of the people who have made great advances in our understanding of structures, inorganic, organic, and biological The stories bring out the personal side of scientific discoveries with the hurdles, obstacles, side steps, and controversies; and this makes for a most lively book quite different from a more conventional academic history of the subjects tackled. ... The book can appeal to a wide range of readers who are guaranteed not to find a dull page.'
Sir Aaron Klug, Nobel Laureate, President of the Royal Society (London)
`A book which should fascinate every reader.'
Torvald Laurent, Chairman of Trustees, Nobel Foundation, Stockholm
`An informative and highly original account ... in terms of the people who made the big conceptual advances. Kepler, Fuller, Pauling, Bernal, Curie, Kroto ... all come to life in this unusual and effective synthesis of science and biographical journalism. The authors' love of their topics shines through on every page. Marvelous!'
Ian Stewart, Scientific American
`István and Magdolna Hargittai have written a richly textured and entertaining work based on a personal curiosity about the role of symmetry in life, and particularly in the sciences.