Zwicky

July 29, 2019
Science journalist Johnson (Peppermint Twist, coauthor) presents a well-rounded biography of the brilliant, contrarian scientist Fritz Zwicky (1898–1974). Zwicky, who as a young man left his homeland of Switzerland for California, becoming a Caltech physics professor in 1927, is perhaps most famous for his work on supernovas. He is also credited with conceiving of dark matter—though after suggesting its existence he did not pursue the subject further —and won a Medal of Freedom for his service during and immediately after WWII, including developing propulsion systems to allow fighter planes to lift off of aircraft carriers, debriefing German rocket designers, and reporting on the effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Johnson covers Zwicky’s numerous professional feuds fairly, noting both when Zwicky was in the right and wrong, and doesn’t hesitate to mention Zwicky’s more bizarre proposals, like the earth-burrowing “terrajet,” or his refusal to accept some now widely accepted concepts—notably, the expanding universe. A few brief chapters on the current search for dark matter, interspersed throughout, come across as out of place, given Zwicky’s limited involvement with the field. Otherwise, this study stands as an evenhanded examination of a pugnacious and imaginative genius, and it should spark new interest in Zwicky, particularly among space and rocketry enthusiasts.

September 1, 2019

While he may not be as widely known as his contemporaries Edwin Hubble and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Zwicky (1898-1974) made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics that are as important today as they were in the mid-20th century. Former Los Angeles Times science writer Johnson paints a colorful portrait of the imaginative Swiss scientist who often rankled his peers with his cantankerous, combative personality. Acclaimed for his discovery of supernova and his prediction of the existence of neutron stars, Zwicky, the author explains, taught at the California Institute of Technology and created an extensive catalogue of galaxies. By using archival material, diaries, and interviews, Johnson provides details about the astrophysicist's childhood, education, love of skiing, and later domestic life. He also reveals that Zwicky had many interests beyond studying the stars at the university's Mount Wilson and Palomar observatories, such as developing advances in jet propulsion technology that were critical in boosting the U.S. air power during World War II. VERDICT This accessible biography of the quirky astrophysicist Zwicky and the equally quirky world of cosmic rays, exploding stars, and dark matter will intrigue lay readers and serious science professionals alike.--Donna Marie Smith, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL

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