Scientists throughout history; from Galileo to today’s experts on climate change; have often had to contend with politics in their pursuit of knowledge. But in the Soviet Union; where the ruling elites embraced; patronized; and even fetishized science like never before; scientists lived their lives on a knife edge. The Soviet Union had the best-funded scientific establishment in history. Scientists were elevated as popular heroes and lavished with awards and privileges. But if their ideas or their field of study lost favor with the elites; they could be exiled; imprisoned; or murdered. And yet they persisted; making major contributions to 20th century science.Stalin and the Scientists tells the story of the many gifted scientists who worked in Russia from the years leading up to the Revolution through the death of the “Great Scientist†himself; Joseph Stalin. It weaves together the stories of scientists; politicians; and ideologues into an intimate and sometimes horrifying portrait of a state determined to remake the world. They often wreaked great harm. Stalin was himself an amateur botanist; and by falling under the sway of dangerous charlatans like Trofim Lysenko (who denied the existence of genes); and by relying on antiquated ideas of biology; he not only destroyed the lives of hundreds of brilliant scientists; he caused the death of millions through famine.But from atomic physics to management theory; and from radiation biology to neuroscience and psychology; these Soviet experts also made breakthroughs that forever changed agriculture; education; and medicine. A masterful book that deepens our understanding of Russian history; Stalin and the Scientists is a great achievement of research and storytelling; and a gripping look at what happens when science falls prey to politics.
#2009016 in Books Johns Hopkins University Press 2007-07-25 2007-07-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .79 x 6.00l; 1.08 #File Name: 0801887615304 pages
Review
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. A Difficult Read but Thought ProvokingBy A CustomerFirst of all; this book is about philosophy and theology; not about politics. By the term "Political Philosophy" the author means "Political" in terms of how men organize their belief systems. Specifically; the author cites a number of theologians; both modern (Karl Barth; Soren Kirkegard; Milton) and ancient (Socrates; Plato; St. Augustine; Maimonedes).Second; what this book is about: the author examines the text of Genesis from the beginning through the life of Abraham. I can imagine a follow-up book that examines the rest of the Pentateuch through the life of Moses. A primary concern of the author is the relationship between God and Man; especially regarding the nature of man as a sinful being; and his need to perform sacrifice to God. A secondary major theme is the nature of dialogue between individual men (Adam; Cain; Noah his sons; and most importantly Abraham) and God.This book is thoroughly researched and annotated. The actual text is 184 pages; and the remaining about 1/3 of the book is citations and short excerpts and explanations of the various philosophers that Pangle has referred to in the body of the text. A serious student could use the citations as a reading list.My primary disagreement with Pangle's book; is that I believe;the two main contributions Abraham's experience with God gave to mankind's philosophy and theology were 1)there is But THE One God; and 2)the end of Human Sacrifice as a propriation of that God. Pangle ultimately is more concerned with the concept of Justice.I read all of this book once; and several sections twice. In some discussions the author's main point gets lost in the heavy citation and quotations. Also; the author's own (theological) bias with regard to the need and requirement of sacrifice as expressed in Genesis seems to color the discussion. However; I am not a theologian or philosopher; nor do I have the extensive sources at hand that Pangle does; and my Hebrew and Latin skills date from high school coursework in the late 60's.Still; this book is worth reading as it will encourage the reader to examine his own understandings and force him to at least think about he/she would defend them. The exposure to the writings of Milton; St. Augustine; Socrates; etc are certainly worth the price of time and effort to read this book.11 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Challenging; Rewarding BookBy A CustomerAn extremely learned; thoughtful study of the book of Genesis up to and including the binding of Isaac. Boasts an impressive command of commentaries ancient; medieval; and modern on the text. Highly recommended.
